“That it was temporary.”
“Was it?”
She shook her head.
“He gave me another card later. The one he took tonight.”
“Whose name is on it?”
“His.”
That explained what she had meant.
“It’s not really my card.”
I finally understood.
It wasn’t a card linked to money Rachel controlled.
It was permission.
Permission David could take away whenever he wanted.
“Come home with me tonight,” I said.
Rachel’s head snapped up.
“I can’t.”
“Yes, you can.”
“He’ll know something’s wrong.”
“Something is wrong.”
“Marissa, you don’t understand.”
“Then help me understand.”
She closed her eyes.
“If I leave suddenly, he’ll freeze everything.”
My stomach dropped.
“Everything?”
“He already controls the accounts.”
“What about your paycheck?”
“I don’t have another account.”
I wanted to tell her we could open one tomorrow.
Then I realized waiting until tomorrow wasn’t the point.
Rachel needed control over something now.
“Do you have your identification?”
“In my purse.”
“Any important documents at home?”
“Yes.”
“Can you get them?”
She nodded slowly.
“I think so.”
“Then don’t do anything tonight.”
She stared at me.
“What?”
“Don’t confront him. Don’t warn him. Go home like everything is normal.”
Her face tightened.
“I don’t want to go back there.”
I hated myself for suggesting it.
But I also knew we needed to be careful.
“Then you come with me.”
She looked toward the door again.
“If I walk out with you, he’ll make a scene.”
“Let him.”
“No.”
Her voice was sharp.
“I’ve spent two years avoiding scenes.”
That told me more than she meant it to.
I lowered my voice.
“What do you want to do?”
