Chapter 1
My husband kicked me in the stomach while I was eight months pregnant—and before I could even scream, his mother crossed the room and slapped him across the face.
My name is Emily, and I was eight months pregnant with our first child when my marriage finally broke apart.
My husband, Ryan, had come home angry after drinking with his friends in Dallas.
"Where's dinner?" he snapped.
"I saved you a plate."
He looked at the cold food and shoved it away.
"You expect me to eat this?"
"Ryan, please. The baby's been kicking all night."
He laughed bitterly.
"You always use that baby as an excuse."
His mother, Diane, was visiting us that week.
She stepped into the kitchen.
"Ryan, stop talking to your wife like that."
He ignored her.
I tried to walk away.
Ryan grabbed my arm.
"We're not finished."
"Let go of me."
I pulled free.
That only made him angrier.
"You think you can disrespect me in my own house?"
Then his foot struck my stomach.
I collapsed beside the kitchen table.
"Emily!" Diane screamed.
I wrapped both arms around my belly.
Ryan stood frozen.
Before he could say another word, Diane rushed across the room.
SLAP.
Ryan's head snapped sideways.
"What the hell, Mom?"
Diane slapped him again.
"That is your pregnant wife!"
Ryan raised his hand toward his own mother.
I had never seen Diane look afraid of him before.
Then I felt a sharp pain through my stomach.
"Something's wrong," I whispered.
Diane immediately dropped beside me.
"Ryan, call 911!"
But Ryan didn't move.
He stared at the floor and said, "Nobody is calling anyone."
Diane slowly looked up at her son.
Then she reached into her pocket and placed something on the table.
Ryan went completely pale.
May you like
Because his mother had been recording everything.
But before Diane could make the call, Ryan whispered, "Mom... if you send that video, they'll find out what you did too."
