Part self-help, part memoir, this book contains some descriptions of violence. These events are my recollection of my time during a physically abusive relationship, and due to the nature of the theme, there are some graphic descriptions of what I went through.

This book is for people who are currently in or have been in an abusive relationship. It can also be a useful tool for people who have a loved one who is in an abusive relationship, as I feel it can help them understand the situation more and therefore be a better source of support.

Those few seconds between waking up and reality hitting you are the calmest, most carefree moments life can offer. However, they never last long enough, and reality always hits.

My reality that sweltering July morning was barely being able to move my body. My legs were in unthinkable pain, covered in purple and red bruises, from my feet up to my thighs.

The iron fire poker my boyfriend had used to attack me the night before had left lightsaber-like patterns all over my body. All purple and angry, bruises surrounded my split, bloodied skin that stung to the touch.

I was on the floor as he was striking me with the poker, and I raised my legs up to protect myself, leaving me with crisscross patterns all over.

My kneecaps and ankles stung and throbbed as the sheets of my bed brushed against them.

Looking down at my torso, my arms had bite marks and bruises on them. The fire poker had also been used to strike my top half, and the gargantuan bruises on my forearms showed that they took the brunt of it as I was trying to protect myself.

The worst pain of all was reserved for my jaw and my head. I couldn't open my mouth, and the tin-like, metallic taste of blood swished around my mouth every time I moved my tongue. When I separated my mouth and tried to bite down, I realized that my jaw wasn't aligned - my teeth didn't fit together as they should. My jaw was jutting out to the right, and panic washed over me as I traced my finger down my new jawline. I could only imagine what my face looked like.

My head was full of lumps and bumps, all of which caused immense pain. I felt like I looked like a cartoon character who'd been hit with a mallet, complete with ten-inch comedy bumps rising from their skull.

I very slowly pulled myself up, trying to avoid the covers touching my legs too much. I'd experienced domestic violence many, many times before, and I always dreaded the look in the mirror the next day. Many times I'd been shocked at the monster glaring back at me...

What you're about to read is part memoir, part self-help. I'll tell you my story, and throughout the book, I'll help you understand how to deal with the effects of domestic abuse, give you a deeper knowledge of the subject and some mindful methods you'll find useful in your recovery.

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