The cowboys second chance

Harper

"If you didn't disobey me, I wouldn't have to hurt you."

Kyle's voice was slurred.

Drunk.

Again.

I hit the floor hard, the impact knocking the breath from my lungs.

Cami was in my arms.

That was all that mattered.

I curled my body around her, shielding her with everything I had.

"Please..."

My voice barely came out.

Kyle stood over me, his breathing heavy.

"I didn't disobey you," I whispered. "I was going to feed my daughter."

"Our daughter."

His eyes narrowed.

"She's mine too."

I said nothing.

I knew better.

When Kyle drank, there was no reasoning with him.

No right answer.

No safe response.

I could stay silent and he'd find something wrong with that.

I could speak and he'd find something wrong with that.

I could breathe the wrong way and somehow that would become my fault too.

Tonight had been no different.

Except this time, Cami had been in my arms when he struck me.

And something inside me finally broke.

Not from the pain.

From the realisation that staying wasn't only putting me in danger anymore.

It was putting my daughter in danger.

I looked down at Cami.

Her tiny face was pressed against my chest.

She was frightened.

So was I.

But suddenly, beneath all that fear, there was something stronger.

Determination.

I had to get her out.

I had to keep her safe.

Even if it meant leaving everything behind.

Even if it meant running.

Even if Kyle found me.

I couldn't let this be Cami's childhood.

I couldn't let her grow up believing this was what love looked like.

Tonight would be the last time.

I promised myself that.

Somehow, I would get us out.

⸻

Three hours later, the house was silent.

The clock on the wall read 3:00 a.m.

I lay completely still, listening.

Kyle was asleep.

His loud, uneven snoring filled the bedroom.

I stared into the darkness.

My heart was pounding so hard I was certain he would hear it.