She was ending it tonight.

Allyson Duffy was tired of being a doormat, a punching bag, and a convenient hole for her boyfriend‘s desires. she was tired of the assaults, of working her fingers to the bone, and of simply not being treated like an actual human being capable of rational thought, complex emotion, and a person in need of actual rest. She was tired of being treated like a possession. She was tired of the late nights where she relished in being alone while at the same time, dreaded the moment Scott came back. she was tired of being taken advantage of, but most of all, she was tired of feeling like she didn’t matter.

Because she didn matter.

It had just taken her a while to remember that.

Or rather, it had taken a while for her brother to drill it back into her head.

The very same brother she had thought cut her off.

It’s funny that even though she’s known pretty much from the get go that Her boyfriend was a compulsive liar, she had believed him when he had told her that.

She really was pathetic.

“Stop it.”

Despite the voice being soft, Allyson couldn’t help but flinch as she was drawn from her self deprecating thoughts. Her shoulders hunching as she automatically braced herself for a potential blow. Only managing to relax when she caught sight of her brother, Jeremy, out of the corner of her eye.

“I’m sor-“

Knowing better than to raise a hand, Jeremy shot her a quelling look that automatically stopped her apology in its tracks.

“ You have nothing to apologize for,” he smiled carefully before gently reprimanding, “ and you’re not pathetic.”

She looked away, continuing to idly play with the soul tube of lipstick that had survived her moving in with her soon to be ex. It was crimson. Her favorite color. she remembered liking wearing make up.

Maybe she would again.

Jeremy gently tap her chin back up. Making her meet his gaze once more.

“ Are you ready to go, kid?”

She nodded.

“and the little guy?”

A hand automatically Went to Rest upon her gently rounded belly, a smile tugging at her lips when she felt a flutter signifying her baby kicking.

Yes, she was ready.

Because she would be damned if she’d expose her baby to her living nightmare.

She was ending this.

She had to.