Ainslee DeBuys' POV
TW: mentions of abuse
**Five Days Before**
"Ms. DeBuys, before I make a decision on whether I can take your case, I need to ask you some questions about what kind of distress your ex put you through during your years together." The lawyer, Peter Hale, asked me. When I learned that the Council wasn't going to help me, my hand was forced to file a civil suit. So here I am in his office.
"It will be fine, Ainslee." Anita encouraged me and squeezed my hand. I looked into her brown eyes and saw nothing but love and support. I'd be so lost right now without her, my father, and Tessa.
I took a deep breath and looked at Peter. "Mostly it was mental abuse. Brent would call me names like b***h, c**t, s**t. If I smarted off to him, he'd throw me in the tombs. Sometimes thin
