Chapter 2 2

We all settled into a new routine except the one that included my dad's bright smile and his comforting presence. My mom went back to work, and I started focusing on my career. I landed a job at a marketing firm, and my brother started college. We all found our feet again. That's when I met Joseph. He was a colleague at the marketing firm, and from the moment I met him, I was drawn to his charismatic personality. He was charming and confident and had a way of making everyone feel at ease. We started talking, and I was impressed by his intelligence and sense of humour.

He was easy to talk to, and we quickly discovered shared interests. I found myself looking forward to our conversations, and before I knew it, we were inseparable. As I got to know Joseph better, I was struck by his confidence and self-assurance. He had a way of carrying himself that commanded attention, and his blue piercing eyes seemed to bore into my soul. But it was his smile that caught my attention - warm, genuine, and infectious. We would talk for hours about everything and nothing, our conversations flowing effortlessly. He was interested in my thoughts, my feelings, and my passions. He listened attentively, asking questions and seeking clarification. I felt seen and heard in a way I never had before.

Joseph was also incredibly romantic. He would surprise me with small gifts - a book by my favourite author, a bouquet of my favourite flowers, and a box of artisanal chocolates. He would plan surprise dates - a sunset picnic in the park, a wine-tasting tour, and a concert by my favourite artist. He made me feel like I was the only person in the world, and my family was equally enamoured with Joseph.

My mom would gush about his charm and charisma, my brother would tease me about my 'perfect' boyfriend. They welcomed him into our lives with open arms, and he quickly became a part of our family. But as the days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months, I started to notice little things about Joseph that gave me pause. He would get irritated if I didn't answer his calls or texts immediately. He would question me about my whereabouts and interactions with other men, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. He would make jokes about my clothes, my hair, my makeup - jokes that didn't quite feel funny. I brushed it off as paranoia, as my insecurities. I told myself I was being too sensitive, that Joseph loved me and would never hurt me. But the doubts lingered, gnawing at the back of my mind like a persistent whisper.

There were days when Joseph would ask me about my interactions with other male colleagues.

"What were you talking about?" he asked, his eyes narrowing slightly. I would explain the conversation, feeling a bit defensive.

'I was just discussing a project,' I said. 'Nothing more.' Joseph nodded, but I could sense a hint of scepticism. "I trust you, Bella," he said. "I just want to make sure you're not getting too close to anyone else." I felt a surge of frustration, but I bit my tongue. I didn't want to start a fight. These small incidents started to pile up, making me feel like I was walking on eggshells around Joseph. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but I felt like I was losing myself in the relationship. I was constantly seeking his approval, constantly trying to make him happy.

As the months turned into a year, Joseph changed totally. At first, it was just a raised voice, a slammed door, or a harsh word. But over time, Joseph's behaviour escalated. With every slight misunderstanding, he would raise an issue and hit me. It started with a slap, then a push, and eventually, full-blown physical assaults. I became trapped in a cycle of abuse and didn't know how to escape. I became afraid of Joseph and even afraid of what he might do if I left him. Despite the abuse, I tried to hold on to the relationship. I thought things would get better. But they only got worse. Joseph's anger issues intensified, and his control over me tightened.

My world was shattered when I discovered Joseph's secret. He had a daughter with another woman, he was with her before he met me and was still with her after he met me but he knew how to play his cards so I never suspected. And I couldn't back out because I was already three months pregnant for him so I decided to hold on to the relationship. I wanted to believe that Joseph would become a better man for our child's sake, But the abuse didn't stop. Joseph's anger issues still simmered just below the surface, and I knew that I had to be careful.

Months later I had our baby, Joseph was the moon with excitement, he promised to change, to be a better father for our daughter. He was a doting father, and he seemed to have finally found a sense of purpose. But my mom was wary, she was the only one who knew what I was going through. She knew that Joseph's behavior was not sustainable and that he would eventually revert to his old ways. And she was right. My mom had warned me but I kept assuring her that Joseph would be different for the sake of our daughter.

As the months went by, Joseph's behavior became increasingly erratic again. He started drinking heavily, and would often sleep outside, leaving me to care for our baby alone. He made bad friends, people who enabled his destructive behavior, and he stopped caring about my well-being altogether.

I was trapped in a living nightmare. I had to endure Joseph's verbal abuse, his neglect, and his lack of interest in our child. I felt like I was raising our daughter alone, and it was taking a toll on my mental and physical health. Despite my best efforts, I just couldn't take it anymore. I knew I had to make a decision, for my sake and the sake of my child. So, when my baby was just a year old, I made the brave decision to leave Joseph. It wasn't easy, but I knew it was necessary. I packed my bags, took my daughter but before I left the toxic relationship behind Joseph told me if I had taken that decision I shouldn't attempt coming back because he was never going to accept me back. I was scared, but I was determined to start a new life, a life free from abuse and fear so I left without looking back.