Wives with Knives (2012–…): Season 2, Episode 8 - Love Is a Gamble - full transcript

Narrator: A TROPICAL BEAUTY
TAKES A GAMBLE ON LOVE.

I JUST WANTED TO BE HAPPY,
GET MARRIED.

Narrator: SHE FALLS
FOR THE GUY NEXT DOOR,

A SMOOTH-TALKING DEEJAY
WHO KNOWS JUST HOW TO PLAY HER.

HE WAS A LADIES' MAN.

HE LOVES ME.
HE'S OBSESSED, OKAY?

Narrator: BUT JEALOUSY
MAKES TENSIONS FLARE.

HE WAS GONNA SLAP HER,

AND I WAS LIKE, "WHAT DO YOU
THINK YOU'RE DOING?"

Narrator: AND IT BECOMES
A RECIPE FOR HEARTACHE...

I'LL MESS YOU UP!



...AND BLOODSHED.

IT WAS A BATTLE BETWEEN
THE KNIFE, ME AND HIM.

[ SCREAMS ]

Narrator: NOT ALL FAIRY TALES
HAVE HAPPY ENDINGS.

WHEN LOVE GOES WRONG,
A WOMAN CAN DO THE UNTHINKABLE.

CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY
DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS

2001, PARAMARIBO, SURINAME -

A SMALL SOUTH AMERICAN
TROPICAL PARADISE

NESTLED BETWEEN GUYANA
AND BRAZIL.

HI, GUYS!

17-YEAR-OLD CAROL SINGH

IS A BEAUTIFUL, BUBBLY TEENAGER

WHO MAKES FRIENDS
WHEREVER SHE GOES.

SHE'S ONE OF FOUR CHILDREN
IN A WORKING-CLASS FAMILY.



CAROL STUDIES HARD AND LEADS
HER CHURCH'S YOUTH GROUP.

BUT BEHIND CLOSED DOORS,

LIFE ISN'T THAT EASY FOR THE
SEEMINGLY CAREFREE YOUNG WOMAN.

CAROL'S FATHER IS VERY STRICT
AND KEEPS CLOSE TABS ON HER.

GO NOW.
GO HOME. GO HOME.

AND DATING IS CERTAINLY
OFF-LIMITS.

CAROL.

Carol: HE DIDN'T WANT US
TO HAVE, LIKE, FRIENDS.

NO BOYS OR FRIENDS FROM SCHOOL
CAN COME HOME.

ONLY GIRLFRIENDS.
NO GUYS ALLOWED.

LISTEN TO ME.

GET IN THERE!

Narrator: AND THAT'S THE LEAST
OF HER ISSUES.

ACCORDING TO CAROL,

HER DAD ALSO HAS
A DRINKING PROBLEM

THAT THREATENS THE WHOLE FAMILY.

Carol:
HE WOULD DRINK EVERY DAY.

EVERY DAY.
THAT'S LIKE COFFEE FOR HIM.

Narrator: CAROL'S FATHER WORKS
LONG HOURS AS A BUS DRIVER.

Carol:
HE WOULD COME HOME DRUNK

AND, LIKE, PICK A FIGHT
WITH MY MOM FOR NO REASON.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?

WHERE ARE MY GLASSES?

I DON'T KNOW
WHERE THEY ARE.

YOU NEED TO KEEP TRACK
OF EVERYTHING!

WHERE ARE MY GLASSES?

[ INDISTINCT ARGUING ]

Annie: HE WOULD HIT ME,

AND I DON'T KNOW - WHY AM I
GETTING THESE LICKS FOR?

YOU NEED TO TAKE CARE
OF THIS HOUSE.

STOP IT!
STOP IT!

THAT'S HOW I GREW UP KNOWING,
LIKE, WHEN YOU'RE MARRIED,

YOU KNOW, HE'S IN CONTROL
OF EVERYTHING.

SHE GOT USED TO IT.

LIKE, WHEN YOU LIVE IN
WEST INDIA OR INDIAN CULTURE,

LIKE, SHE CAN'T GO
TO HER FAMILY.

SHE CAN'T GO NOWHERE ELSE.

Narrator: DR. CASEY JORDAN
STUDIES CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR.

ANY YOUNG GIRL WHO GROWS UP
IN A HOUSEHOLD

WHERE SHE WITNESSES HER MOTHER
BEING YELLED AT,

BEATEN, AND DEGRADED
ON A DAILY BASIS

IS GOING TO NORMALIZE
THAT SORT OF BEHAVIOR.

IT'S REALLY GOING
TO SKEW HER VISION

OF WHAT MARRIAGE IS ALL ABOUT.

Anand:
I USED TO LIVE NEXT DOOR,

AND WHEN SHE'D START
SCREAMING AND STUFF,

EVERYBODY COULD HEAR.

STOP! STOP HITTING HER!

Narrator:
BENEATH CAROL'S SUNNY EXTERIOR

LIES A STRONG-WILLED GIRL

WHO ISN'T AFRAID TO STAND UP
TO HER FATHER.

Annie: SHE'S THE ONE GONNA YELL
AND SCREAM,

"OH, DADDY, DADDY,
DON'T HIT HER."

AND SHE WOULD END UP
GETTING HIT, TOO.

YOU DON'T NEED
TO TELL ME THAT!

HE'D BEAT ME UP FOR NO REASON.

Narrator: SHAKEN, CAROL MAKES
A PROMISE TO HERSELF.

Carol:
I ALSO SAID FROM THEN ON

THAT I WOULD NEVER MARRY A MAN
THAT DRINKS ALCOHOL

OR THAT BEATS A WOMAN.

Anand:
HE'D KEEP BE HITTING ON MOM,

AND SHE DOESN'T WANT SOMEBODY
LIKE THAT.

SHE PRAYS, LIKE,
WHEN SHE GROWS UP,

SHE DOESN'T HAVE A LIFE
LIKE THAT.

Narrator:
WHEN THE ALCOHOL WEARS OFF,

CAROL'S FATHER
IS FULL OF APOLOGIES.

THEN THE NEXT DAY, HE WOULD
COME TO ME BACK AND SAY,

"YOU KNOW WHAT? I'M WRONG.
I'M SORRY.

I'M NOT GONNA DO THIS ANYMORE."

I WILL NEVER DO THAT AGAIN.

Narrator: ONE DAY, HE MAKES
A SURPRISING ANNOUNCEMENT

THAT WILL CHANGE
CAROL'S LIFE FOREVER.

WE ARE MOVING
TO THE UNITED STATES.

Carol: AND I TOLD HIM,
"WELL, I'M OKAY HERE."

I TOLD MY MOM AND DAD,

"YOU GUYS GO AHEAD AND START
A BRAND-NEW LIFE."

MY DAD SAID, "NO. COME.
COME TO NEW YORK."

I WANT TO STAY.

Narrator:
CAROL'S DAD INSISTS

HE CAN MAKE A BETTER LIFE
FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY IN AMERICA.

THINGS ARE MUCH, MUCH
BETTER THERE.

I WANTED MY FAMILY TO BE HAPPY,
SO I SAID "OKAY."

Dr. Jordan:
EVEN THOUGH SHE'S A TEENAGER,

CAROL IS THE MOST RESPONSIBLE
MEMBER IN THE FAMILY,

BUT AS THE CHILD
OF AN ALCOHOLIC,

SHE WILL ALWAYS FEEL
TREMENDOUS PRESSURE

TO FIX THESE
DEEP-SEATED FAMILY ISSUES,

SO SHE AGREES TO MOVE
WITH HER FAMILY TO NEW YORK

THINKING THAT THIS COULD BE
THE ANSWER

TO THE VERY COMPLEX PROBLEMS OF
ADDICTION AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

BUT CAROL IS COMPLETELY NAIVE.

Narrator: IN JUNE 2003,

THE SINGH FAMILY ARRIVES
IN NEW YORK CITY

AND SETTLES IN QUEENS.

BUT LIVING IN A NEW COUNTRY
IS CHALLENGING,

AND CAROL'S FATHER HAS TROUBLE
FINDING STEADY WORK.

CAROL, ON THE OTHER HAND,

MANAGES TO LAND TWO JOBS
AT JOHN F. KENNEDY AIRPORT -

ONE AS A DUTY-FREE CLERK...

MORE COFFEE, SIR?

YES, PLEASE..

...AND ONE AS A WAITRESS.

THE DEVOTED DAUGHTER STRUGGLES
TO SUPPORT HER FAMILY

IN A NEW COUNTRY

WHERE EVERYTHING SEEMS TO CARRY
A HEFTY PRICE TAG.

I HAD TO, LIKE, PAY THE RENT.

IT'S LIKE $1,500.

AND THEN WE HAVE BILLS.

THAT IS A LOT TO BE
THE RESPONSIBLE ONE,

TO DO ALL THAT, AND HER DAD
IS NOT DOING NOTHING.

THANK YOU SO MUCH
FOR BRINGING ME HERE.

Narrator:
TO RELIEVE THE STRESS

OF PUTTING FOOD
ON HER FAMILY'S TABLE,

CAROL SPENDS HER FREE NIGHTS

GOING OUT ON THE TOWN
WITH HER NEW FRIENDS.

I STARTED GOING OUT A LOT,
HAVING FUN,

'CAUSE IT WAS DIFFERENT,
YOU KNOW?

EVERYBODY WAS, LIKE, PARTYING.

I HAD FRIENDS THAT WAS
TELLING ME LIKE,

"WHY ARE YOU KILLING YOURSELF
WORKING SO MANY JOBS?"

LIKE, "HAVE FUN."

Narrator: CAROL SOON LEARNS
TO LOVE HER NEW HOME.

SHE TURNS HEADS
WHEREVER SHE GOES,

BUT AFTER FOUR YEARS
IN NEW YORK,

SHE STILL HASN'T MET ANYONE
SHE'S INTERESTED IN.

THAT GUY
IS CHECKING YOU OUT.

WHAT GUY?

THAT IS, UNTIL SHE MEETS
A HANDSOME YOUNG MAN

NAMED JIMMY PATEL.

YEAH. HE'S REALLY CUTE.
I WANT TO LOOK.

MY FRIEND WAS GETTING MARRIED,
AND I WENT TO THE WEDDING.

Narrator: JIMMY CAN'T STOP
STARING AT CAROL.

FINALLY, HE GETS THE COURAGE
TO ASK HER TO DANCE.

CAROL IS INSTANTLY ENCHANTED
BY THE CHARMING YOUNG MAN.

AT 23 YEARS OLD, SHE'S EAGER
TO HAVE A RELATIONSHIP.

WE STARTED DATING,
LIKE, A FEW WEEKS AFTER.

[ SIZZLES ]

SMELLS GOOD.
YEAH.

Narrator: IT TURNS OUT
THAT JIMMY GREW UP

JUST A FEW MILES
FROM CAROL IN SURINAME.

I USED TO EAT THERE
ALL THE TIME.

I LOVE THAT PLACE.

I KNOW. DON'T THEY HAVE,
LIKE, THE BEST ROTI?

DELICIOUS.

CAROL'S DRAWN TO HIS SWEET,
SENSITIVE NATURE.

Carol: HE WASN'T
A NIGHTCLUB PERSON.

HE LIKES LONG DRIVES.

AT HOME, HE'S LIKE A FAMILY GUY,

SO WE USED TO SPEND TIME
A LOT AT HOME.

TELL ME YOUR DREAMS
REAL QUICK.

I WANT TO GET MARRIED, HAVE
CHILDREN, HAVE A GOOD JOB.

WERE YOU THINKING, "THIS IS
THE GUY I WANT TO MARRY?"

YES. I WANTED
TO GET MARRIED TO HIM.

Dr. Jordan: CAROL HAS VIRTUALLY
NO DATING EXPERIENCE,

AND SHE HAS
A VERY OLD-FASHIONED,

TRADITIONAL NOTION OF DATING,

SO THAT ANY MAN THAT SHE THINKS
IS WORTH DATING

HAS GOT TO BE
POTENTIAL HUSBAND MATERIAL.

THERE IS NO MIDDLE GROUND.

[ CHILDREN LAUGHING ]

Narrator: IN 2009,
AFTER TWO YEARS TOGETHER,

THE COUPLE SEES EACH OTHER
ALMOST DAILY,

AND CAROL'S MORE CONVINCED
THAN EVER

THAT JIMMY IS MR. RIGHT.

THERE'S JUST ONE PROBLEM.

WHAT IS IT, JIMMY?

WELL,
I'M JUST GONNA SHOW YOU.

HE HAS YET TO POP THE QUESTION.

OH, MY. JIMMY.

AND CAROL'S ANXIOUS FOR HIM
TO TAKE THE PLUNGE.

I'M JUST GONNA
GIVE IT TO YOU.

OKAY.
[ CHUCKLES ]

HERE GOES.

ISN'T IT PRETTY?

YEAH.

YEAH. IT'S, UH -
IT'S A NECKLACE.

WHAT ELSE
WOULD IT BE, SILLY?

[ CHUCKLES ]

WHAT ELSE WOULD IT BE?
HERE. HERE. PUT IT ON ME.

Carol: HE BOUGHT ME JEWELRIES
AND RINGS

AND CHAINS AND ALL KINDS
OF STUFF FOR THE HOLIDAYS,

BUT HE NEVER SAID,
"WILL YOU MARRY ME?"

IT'S GREAT.
[ CHUCKLES ]

YEAH, THANK YOU.

OH, YOU'RE WELCOME.
THANK YOU.

Narrator: COMING UP,
CAROL MOVES ON...

[ Crying ] IT'S OVER.

Narrator: ...AND FINDS A
BRAND-NEW LOVE IN ATLANTIC CITY.

Narrator: AFTER IMMIGRATING
TO THE UNITED STATES

FROM SURINAME,

CAROL SINGH IS MAKING A LIFE
FOR HERSELF IN THE BIG APPLE.

AFTER DATING THE DASHING
JIMMY PATEL FOR TWO YEARS,

SHE HOPES HER SINGLE DAYS
ARE ALMOST OVER,

BUT JIMMY DOESN'T SEEM READY
TO COMMIT.

AS CAROL GROWS MORE IMPATIENT
FOR A RING,

SHE STARTS TO SENSE THAT JIMMY
MAY BE LOSING INTEREST IN HER.

I THINK I'VE MISSED
A LOT OF SIGNS.

THE WAY HE SPOKE TO ME.

SPENDING TIME TOGETHER
WASN'T THE SAME ANYMORE.

Narrator: CAROL BECOMES
CONVINCED JIMMY'S CHEATING.

[ PHONE RINGS ]

SHE CLAIMS HER SUSPICIONS ARE
CONFIRMED ON VALENTINE'S DAY.

HELLO?

HEY. WHERE ARE YOU?

Carol: HE USUALLY PICKED ME UP
FROM WORK.

WE HAD EACH OTHER'S PRESENTS
TO EXCHANGE.

YOU WERE SUPPOSED
TO PICK ME UP.

CALL A CAB.

Narrator:
CAROL HEADS HOME IN A HUFF.

Carol:
SO, I TOOK A CAB HOME.

THEN I CALLED HIM BACK AGAIN.

[ DIALING ]

[ Ringing ]

HELLO?

HEY.
I JUST WANTED TO TALK.

HE'S LIKE, "YOU KNOW WHAT?

THIS IS THE SAME ****
I'M TALKING ABOUT,"

LIKE IN A VERY ANGRY TONE.

IT NEVER ENDS.

ARE YOU CHEATING ON ME?

[ CHUCKLES ] WHAT?

Are you cheating on me?

YOU ARE - YOU'RE CRAZY.

AND HE WAS BEING RUDE TO ME,

BUT NEVER HE WAS LIKE THAT.

Let's spend some time together.

I DON'T HAVE TIME.

Dr, Jordan: MOST WOMEN
HAVE A SIXTH SENSE

ABOUT WHEN THEIR MEN
MIGHT BE CHEATING,

BUT BECAUSE SHE LACKS EXPERIENCE
IN DATING RELATIONSHIPS,

CAROL REALLY CAN'T SEE
THE DIFFERENCE

BETWEEN JIMMY
POTENTIALLY CHEATING

AND JUST WANTING MORE SPACE.

Narrator: CAROL MAKES A BOLD
AND GUT-WRENCHING DECISION.

Carol:
I COULDN'T TAKE IT.

I SAID, "YOU KNOW WHAT?
I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOU.

"IT'S OVER BECAUSE, YOU KNOW,
I THINK YOU'RE CHEATING ON ME.

I THINK YOU HAVE SOMEBODY
AND YOU'RE NOT TELLING ME."

BUT THIS SOUNDS ALMOST,
IN A STRANGE WAY, GOOD,

BECAUSE IT MEANS
THAT YOU HAVE BOUNDARIES.

YES.

SO YOU WERE STILL
REALLY STRONG.

YES. I WAS.

[ Crying ] I DON'T WANT
TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

I DON'T NEED SOMEBODY
WHO'S UNFAITHFUL TO ME

OR MAYBE DOING THINGS
BEHIND MY BACK.

I DON'T DESERVE THAT
FROM NO MAN.

Narrator: CAROL FEELS
SHE DID THE RIGHT THING,

BUT SHE'S STILL DEVASTATED
BY THE BREAKUP.

Anand: SHE WAS, LIKE,
GOING CRAZY.

LIKE, SHE'S CRYING
AND ALL THAT STUFF.

I'D TRY TO CHEER HER UP, BUT SHE
WAS, LIKE, SO CLOSE TO HIM.

SO SHE TAKES A LITTLE WHILE

BEFORE SHE COULD, LIKE,
FORGET HIM.

YEAH. I THINK SHE WAS REALLY
LOOKING FOR THE RIGHT PERSON,

LIKE, YOU KNOW, TO MAKE A LIFE.

Narrator: CAROL TAKES SOME TIME
TO MEND HER BROKEN HEART.

Carol:
WHEN WE FIRST BROKE UP,

I DON'T THINK
I WANTED TO LOVE AGAIN.

I NEEDED TIME FOR MYSELF.

Narrator: SHE DECIDES
THE BEST WAY TO MOVE ON

IS TO GET SERIOUS
ABOUT HER FUTURE.

Carol: I WORKING
TWO AND THREE JOBS.

YOU KNOW, I CAN'T SURVIVE
WITHOUT A DEGREE AND G. E. D.

AND ALL THESE THINGS,

SO I DECIDED TO, "YOU KNOW WHAT?
I'M GONNA FOCUS ON SCHOOL."

Narrator:
CAROL FILLS THE FREE TIME

SHE USED TO SPEND WITH JIMMY

BY TAKING NURSING CLASSES
AT THE LOCAL COLLEGE.

Carol:
I MADE A PROMISE TO MYSELF -

ONCE I HAVE A GOOD JOB
AND I BE WHERE I WANT TO BE,

I'M GONNA GET THE RESPECT
FROM A MAN.

Narrator: BUT WHEN A FRIEND
INVITES HER ALONG

TO A CASINO ONE NIGHT,
SHE DECIDES SHE NEEDS A BREAK.

WITH ONE ROLL OF THE DICE,
CAROL IS HOOKED.

HIT ME, PLEASE.

Narrator: AND IT TURNS OUT
CAROL'S GOT SERIOUS GAME.

YEAH?
YOU WON.

HOW'S THAT
FOR BEGINNER'S LUCK?

IT JUST KICKED IN,

BECAUSE I STARTED, LIKE, PLAYING
WITH $100 AND THEN WIN.

AND THEN MAYBE, LIKE, WITH $500,

AND THEN MAYBE I'D WIN
LIKE $2,000.

BAM!
WE'RE GOING SHOPPING.

AND IT MAKES ME WANT TO DO MORE.

I COULD GET USED
TO THIS GAMBLING THING.

Narrator:
SHE STARTS HITTING THE CASINOS

IN CONNECTICUT AND NEW JERSEY
A COUPLE OF TIMES A WEEK

AND CLAIMS SHE ALWAYS WALKS AWAY
A WINNER.

I PICKED UP THAT ADDICTION

BECAUSE I WOULD SPEND HOURS
ON THE BLACKJACK TABLE.

DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY
YOU JUST WON?

THAT WAS, LIKE,
MY HAPPINESS AT THE TIME.

Narrator:
LADY LUCK IS ALSO SMILING

ON CAROL'S PROFESSIONAL LIFE.

SHE GETS PROMOTED
FROM SALES CLERK

AT THE AIRPORT RETAIL SHOPS

TO TICKET AGENT
FOR A MAJOR AIRLINE.

CAROL FEELS LIKE HER LIFE
IS FINALLY BACK ON TRACK,

WITH ONE EXCEPTION.

SO, GOT THE JOBS
UNDER CONTROL,

BUT YOU DON'T HAVE
A RELATIONSHIP.

NO.
I DIDN'T HAVE NOBODY.

AND YOU MISSED IT, HUH?
YEAH.

THEN ONE AFTERNOON,

A HANDSOME YOUNG MAN MOVES
INTO THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR.

27-YEAR-OLD DAVINDRA NANAN
HAS A KILLER SMILE.

DAVINDRA, WHO GOES BY DAVE,
IS ORIGINALLY FROM TRINIDAD,

AN ISLAND COUNTRY
NOT FAR FROM SURINAME.

DAVE AND HIS FATHER,
WHO'S IN POOR HEALTH,

ARE MOVING IN RIGHT NEXT DOOR
TO CAROL'S FAMILY.

ABOUT SIX MONTHS
AFTER MY WIFE PASSED AWAY,

I MOVED WITH HIM.

THE TWO OF US RENT TOGETHER.

Narrator:
DAVE'S A HARDWORKING GUY.

Dilip:
HE WORKED IN A FUN FACTORY -

LIKE, GAMES FOR KIDS -
SET UP GAMES, SET UP RIDES.

HE DO DEEJAY.

HE PLAY MUSIC.

THAT'S HIS HOBBY - MUSIC.

SOMEONE'S MOVING IN?

OH, WOW.

Narrator: WHEN DAVE CATCHES
CAROL LOOKING AT HIM,

HE SEES IT AS AN INVITATION
TO COME SAY "HELLO."

HEY, NEIGHBOR.
HEY.

HOW YOU DOING?
GREAT. I'M CAROL.

HEY. I'M DAVE.

AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT -
I DON'T KNOW.

I JUST FELL
FOR HIS SWEET TALKS.

IT WAS NICE MEETING YOU.
HOPE TO SEE YOU AROUND.

ALL RIGHT.
ALL RIGHT.

Narrator: CAROL'S DEFINITELY
MADE AN IMPRESSION

ON HER NEW NEIGHBOR,

AND THE ASPIRING DEEJAY
USES THE POWER OF MUSIC

TO TRY AND REEL CAROL IN.

Carol: SOMETIMES I'M SLEEPING
IN MY HOUSE,

AND THEN HE WILL PLAY THE MUSIC
ON SO LOUD

OR WEST-INDIAN OR REGGAE MUSIC,

AND I WILL WAKE UP
BECAUSE I KNOW IT'S HIM.

[ MUSIC PLAYS ]

LIKE, THE WHOLE STREET,

THE WHOLE BLOCK KNOW
IT'S THIS GUY.

Man: HEY! SHUT UP!

Carol: HE KNEW, LIKE -
HE KNEW HOW TO GET ME,

LIKE, MAD WITH THE MUSIC.

HE KNEW WHAT SONGS TO PLAY
OR WHAT SONGS WILL WAKE ME UP.

Narrator:
DAVE'S EFFORTS PAY OFF.

CAROL STARTS RETURNING
HIS SWEET SENTIMENTS

WITH A CONCERT OF HER OWN.

LIKE, WE WOULD TALK TO
EACH OTHER THROUGH THE MUSIC.

I WOULD PLAY THE MUSIC
REALLY LOUD - ROMANTIC SONGS.

Narrator:
ONE DAY, DAVE MAKES IT CLEAR

HE WANTS TO TAKE THINGS
TO THE NEXT LEVEL.

Annie: WHEN SHE COME HOME FROM
WORK, HE WOULD SIT OUTSIDE.

I THINK HE SIT
AND HE WATCH FOR HER.

Carol: HE ASKED ME, LIKE,
IF I WANT TO BE WITH HIM.

I SAID, "I DON'T WANT NOBODY
TO PLAY MY HEART."

HE SAID, "WHY? YOU COMPARING ME
TO ALL THEM OTHER GUYS?

I'M DIFFERENT. TRUST ME."

I DON'T KNOW, DAVE.
WHY?

Dr. Jordan: CAROL LEARNED
A VERY HARD LESSON

FROM HER RELATIONSHIP
WITH JIMMY.

SHE BELIEVED
HE WAS THE GREAT LOVE,

THE ONE SHE WANTED TO MARRY,

AND WHEN THE RELATIONSHIP
DIDN'T PAN OUT,

SHE PUT UP A WALL.

SHE KNOWS THAT THE NEXT TIME
SHE TRUSTS A MAN,

HE BETTER BE THE ONE.

I WON'T BREAK YOUR HEART.

I SAID I NEEDED TIME.

Narrator: DAVE'S WORDS
PULL AT HER HEARTSTRINGS.

I JUST THINK
WE SHOULD BE TOGETHER.

AND HE WAS, LIKE, TELLING ME HOW
HE WILL NEVER BREAK MY HEART.

Narrator: AFTER WEEKS
OF KEEPING HIM AT BAY,

CAROL CAN'T RESIST
DAVE'S ADVANCES ANY LONGER.

SHE THINKS FATE MAY HAVE
BROUGHT THEM TOGETHER.

COMING UP,
CAROL CLAIMS SHE DISCOVERS

HER NEW PRINCE CHARMING'S
GOT SOME SERIOUS DEMONS.

I'LL MESS YOU UP!

[ Crying ] IT'S OVER.

Narrator:
AFTER A DIFFICULT BREAKUP,

CAROL SINGH TURNS TO GAMBLING
TO FILL THE VOID,

BUT WHEN SHE MEETS HER HANDSOME
NEXT-DOOR NEIGHBOR DAVE,

SHE THINKS
SHE'S HIT THE JACKPOT.

Anand: WHEN I FIRST HEARD
ABOUT DAVE,

SHE SAID SHE MET SOMEONE AND HE
SEEMS LIKE A REALLY NICE GUY.

SHE WAS LIKE, "BUT I'M NOT
GONNA RUSH INTO NOTHING.

I'M GONNA JUST TAKE IT EASY."

Narrator: EVEN THOUGH CAROL SAYS
SHE'S GOING TO TAKE THINGS SLOW,

DEEP DOWN, SHE STILL YEARNS
TO BE A BRIDE.

SLOW JAMS.
GOT TO HAVE SLOW JAMS, RIGHT?

Carol: I WAS SPENDING TIME
WITH HIM

BECAUSE I-I DID NOT HAVE
A BOYFRIEND IN A LONG TIME,

AND I'M GETTING OLDER, TOO,

SO I JUST WANTED TO BE HAPPY,
GET MARRIED.

Dr. Jordan: IN CAROL'S WORLD,
IF SHE GOES OUT WITH A GUY,

IT IS WITH MARRIAGE IN MIND.

SHE REALLY NEEDS TO FILL
THE VOID IN HER LIFE,

AND SHE BELIEVES THAT A HUSBAND,
HOUSEHOLD, AND CHILDREN

IS THE WAY TO GET THAT DONE.

Narrator:
ONCE SHE AND DAVE ARE AN ITEM,

CAROL'S ON A MISSION
TO LET HIM KNOW

SHE CAN BE
THE PERFECT HOUSEWIFE.

WHAT ARE YOU
COOKING HERE?

I WOULD WANT TO BE HOME AND,
LIKE, COOK AND STUFF LIKE THAT

JUST TO GET TO SEE HIM.

I CAN GET USED TO THIS.

Annie: SHE WOULD GO OVER THERE
AND MAKE HIM DINNER.

I THINK SHE FALL IN LOVE
VERY QUICKLY.

Dr. Jordan: AH, SO, WAIT.
LET'S GET IT.

THE THRILL OF THE CASINO IS
REPLACED BY THE THRILL OF DAVE?

YES.

IS DAVE THE NEW ONE

THAT YOU WANT TO GET MARRIED
AND HAVE CHILDREN WITH?

YES. YES.

YOU HAVE YOUR EYE
ON THE PRIZE.

IT'S FOR ME?
CAN I GET A LITTLE PIECE?

NO, NO, NO, NO.
WHAT?

Narrator:
BUT DAVE'S GOT SOMETHING

IN COMMON WITH CAROL'S FATHER -
THE LOVE OF THE BOTTLE.

ALL RIGHT.

WELL, CHEERS.

Carol:
HE WAS DRINKING A LOT.

HE WAS DRINKING EVERY DAY.

Narrator:
CAROL CONVINCES HERSELF

DAVE'S GOT HIS DRINKING
UNDER CONTROL,

BUT SHE KNOWS HER MOTHER
WOULDN'T APPROVE.

SHE KNOWS THAT IF SHE TELLS ME
THE GUY IS DRINKING,

THEN I WOULD SAY, "THERE YOU GO.

"I WAS IN IT.

DO YOU SEE WHAT HAPPENED
WITH MY LIFE?"

I'VE BEEN THROUGH IT,

SO THAT IS WHY SHE DON'T WANT
TO TELL ME CERTAIN THINGS.

Narrator: CAROL'S CERTAIN SHE'S
FINALLY FOUND HER SOUL MATE.

THAT IS, UNTIL SHE CLAIMS
TO GET A WARNING

FROM AN UNLIKELY SOURCE.

Carol: I HAD PERSONAL
TAXI DRIVERS -

YOU KNOW, LIKE, A FAVORITE
PERSON THAT YOU LIKE TO REQUEST

FROM THE CAR SERVICE.

GOOD MORNING.
MORNING. MORNING.

ONE DAY, MY DRIVER PICKED ME UP,
AND MY DRIVER'S LIKE,

"YOU'RE NOT DATING THAT GUY,
RIGHT?"

AND I SAID, "WHY YOU SAY THAT?"

HE'S LIKE, "HE USED TO BEAT
THE **** OUT OF HIS EX."

THAT GUY?

THAT GUY. YES.

ARE YOU SURE IT'S HIM?
ABSOLUTELY.

HE SAID, "YEAH. TRUST ME.

"HE USED TO BEAT THAT GIRL
REALLY BAD.

I USED TO TAKE THAT GIRL
TO WORK."

OKAY, CAROL -

BUT I DON'T WANT
TO BELIEVE IT.

YOU HAVE SOMEBODY
WARNING YOU -

SOMEBODY YOU TRUST WARNING YOU,
AND YOU WON'T BELIEVE IT.

NO.

Dr. Jordan: CAROL IS IGNORING
ALL OF THE WARNING SIGNS

THAT DAVE IS SO MUCH
LIKE HER FATHER

BECAUSE IT DOESN'T FIT
WITH THE MOVIE REEL

THAT SHE HAS
PLAYING THROUGH HER HEAD

OF THE PERFECT MARRIAGE
THAT SHE WANTS.

AND QUITE SIMPLY,
CAROL DOES NOT WANT TO ADMIT

THAT SHE'S INVESTED THIS MUCH
IN A RELATIONSHIP

THAT SHE SHOULD ABANDON.

DEEJAY DAVE.
HE'S A DEEJAY, RIGHT?

YEAH.

YEP. SAME GUY.

Narrator: BUT CAROL'S ABOUT
TO EXPERIENCE FIRSTHAND

THE DARK SIDE
OF THE MAN SHE LOVES.

[ "DECK THE HALLS" PLAYS ]

Carol: IT WAS MY FIRST
CHRISTMAS PARTY WITH HIM.

I'M HAVING A BIG
CHRISTMAS DINNER.

HI, GUYS.
HI, CAROL.

SO, I COOKED, AND I INVITED ALL
MY COWORKERS AND MANAGERS,

AND EVERYBODY WAS IN MY HOME,

'CAUSE THAT'S HOW I AM
ON THE HOLIDAYS,

ESPECIALLY ON CHRISTMAS.

Narrator: CAROL IS THE
QUINTESSENTIAL HOSTESS.

HELLO!

SHE'S SO BUSY ENTERTAINING

SHE DOESN'T NOTICE
DAVE DRINKING AND SULKING.

[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS ]

WHEN HE DRINKS, HE'S A WHOLE
DIFFERENT PERSON.

Carol:
TO LOVE AND CHRISTMAS.

TO LOVE AND CHRISTMAS.

ALL RIGHT.

AROUND 12:00,
IN THE MIDDLE OF EVERYTHING,

THE PARTY'S GETTING HEAT
AND EVERYTHING.

HE COMES TO THE KITCHEN.
HE DIDN'T SAY NOTHING.

HE'S SMOKING A CIGARETTE.
HE'S DRINKING HIS BEER.

I TAKE STUFF OUT FOR HIM,

REALLY MAKE A NICE PLATE
FOR HIM.

AND THEN YOU KNOW WHAT HE DID?

HE DROPPED IT IN THE KITCHEN
LIKE THIS.

HE TOOK THE PLATE OF FOOD
YOU GAVE HIM -

AND THREW IT ON THE FLOOR
LIKE THAT.

Narrator: SHE'S SEEN DAVE DRUNK
BEFORE BUT NEVER THIS HOSTILE.

I'M SO SORRY.
COULD YOU PLEASE EXCUSE US?

I CLEAN THE FOOD UP.
I PICK THE PLATE UP.

HE WAS LIKE, "YOU DON'T HAVE
TIME FOR ME?"

STUFF LIKE THAT HE SAID.

Narrator: THEN, CAROL CLAIMS,
DAVE MAKES A BIZARRE DEMAND.

I WANT YOU TO TELL
YOUR GUESTS SOMETHING!

HE WANTS ME
TO MAKE ANNOUNCEMENT

AND LET EVERYBODY KNOW THAT
THIS IS MY FUTURE HUSBAND,

AND I COULDN'T DO IT.

HE WANTED YOU TO ANNOUNCE IT
AT THAT PARTY?

YES.
NOW!

AS MUCH AS CAROL
LONGS TO GET MARRIED,

THIS CERTAINLY ISN'T THE WAY SHE
IMAGINED THE PROPOSAL WOULD GO.

NOW!

ACCORDING TO CAROL,

THE FIGHT THEN TAKES
A SHOCKING TURN.

I'LL MESS YOU UP!

HE TOOK A KNIFE, AND HE PRESSED
THE KNIFE TO MY THROAT.

EVERYBODY WAS IN MY HOUSE,
AND I SAID, "OH, MY GOD.

YOU ARE SO EMBARRASSING
TO ME RIGHT NOW."

HE'S THREATENING YOUR LIFE WITH
A KNIFE AND YOU'RE EMBARRASSED?

I KNOW.

DON'T TOUCH ME!
DON'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO!

CAROL DEMANDS THAT DAVE LEAVE.

HE HEADS HOME TO SLEEP IT OFF.

WHAT DID YOU DO

AFTER YOU ESCAPED THE KNIFE
AT YOUR THROAT?

NOTHING.

I- I THOUGHT HE WAS JUST
JEALOUS, LIKE...

CAROL PULLS HERSELF TOGETHER
AND GOES BACK TO HER GUESTS.

THE NEXT MORNING,
DAVE COMES OVER TO APOLOGIZE.

CAROL QUICKLY CAVES.

AND STILL YOU'RE HEAD-OVER-HEELS
CRAZY FOR HIM.

YEAH. BECAUSE...

I DON'T KNOW.
I WAS IN LOVE.

Dr. Jordan:
IT MAY SEEM UNTHINKABLE

THAT CAROL WOULD NOT LEAVE DAVE

AFTER HE THREATENED HER
WITH A KNIFE,

BUT WE HAVE TO REMEMBER
SHE GREW UP

WATCHING HER MOTHER
ABUSED BY HER FATHER,

SO HER BASELINE FOR NORMAL

INCLUDES VIOLENCE
IN THE HOUSEHOLD.

Narrator:
CAROL FORGIVES DAVE,

AND PRETTY SOON,
THE COUPLE IS INSEPARABLE.

Anand: THEY WERE BASICALLY
LIVING TOGETHER,

BECAUSE THE HOUSE
IS RIGHT NEXT DOOR,

SO HE'S GONNA BE OVER HERE,
SHE'S GONNA BE OVER THERE.

LIKE, THEY'RE ALWAYS TOGETHER.

Narrator: DAVE SHARES HIS FEELINGS
FOR CAROL WITH HIS FAMILY.

Kavita: HE SAID HE WAS IN LOVE
WITH HER.

I ASK HIM. HE SAID THAT HE'S
MADLY IN LOVE WITH HER.

Dilip: TELLS ME
HE'S GONNA MARRY HER.

I SAID, "DAVE,
YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING."

Narrator: DESPITE SPENDING ALL
THEIR FREE TIME TOGETHER,

ACCORDING TO CAROL,
IT'S STILL NOT ENOUGH FOR DAVE.

Carol: HE DIDN'T WANT ME
TO GO TO SCHOOL RIGHT AWAY

BECAUSE HE SAID, "YOU KNOW,
WE HAVE ALL OUR LIVES."

HE SAID, "YOU'RE NOT
GONNA HAVE TIME.

WE WON'T HAVE TIME TO BUILD
A RELATIONSHIP AND GET MARRIED."

Narrator: CAROL AGREES
TO DROP OUT OF NURSING SCHOOL.

Dr. Jordan: BECAUSE HE WANTS
TO SPEND TIME WITH YOU.

I CHOSE NOT TO GO
TO SCHOOL, TOO,

SO HE DOESN'T, LIKE,
GO GET IT SOMEWHERE ELSE.

MEANWHILE, DAVE'S STARTING

TO GET MORE AND MORE WORK
AS A DEEJAY.

HE LIKED THE NIGHT LIFE.
THAT WAS JUST DAVE.

Narrator: ONE NIGHT,

CAROL'S FRIEND ANAND JOINS THEM
FOR ONE OF HIS GIGS.

Anand:
WE WERE ALL DRINKING.

HE WAS DEEJAYING AND STUFF.

Narrator: DAVE'S FAMILY CLAIMS
CAROL CAN'T HANDLE HER LIQUOR.

Kavita: I NEVER GOT A GOOD VIBE
FROM HER.

TO ME, SHE WAS A CRAZY PERSON
WHEN SHE GET DRUNK -

UPSET ABOUT ANYTHING,

AND I THINK SHE WAS VERY JEALOUS
OF DAVE...

YOU'RE A NATURAL.
YOU'RE A NATURAL.

...DOING ALL THIS DEEJAYING

AND KNOWING A LOT OF PEOPLE
OUT THERE,

A LOT OF GIRLS OUT THERE.

SHE WAS VERY JEALOUS.

Narrator:
BUT ANAND SAYS...

IT WAS DAVE
WHO HAD ISSUES WITH ALCOHOL.

Anand:
HE'S THE PARTY GUY.

HE'S THE ONE DRINKING,
GETTING DRUNK AND STUFF.

SHE'D BE TAKING CARE OF HIM.

SHE ALWAYS GOT HER HEAD ON.

SHE DON'T DRINK, LIKE,
TO GET THAT DRUNK.

Narrator: ANAND ALSO CLAIMS DAVE
HAS A FIERY JEALOUS STREAK.

Anand:
SHE'D SAY HELLO TO ANYBODY.

THAT'S THE KIND OF PERSON
SHE IS.

SOMEBODY SAY HI TO HER,
TALK TO HER,

AND HE GET ANGRY FOR THAT.

Narrator: ACCORDING TO ANAND,
DAVE SUDDENLY LOSES IT.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

Anand:
AND THEN HE PUSHED HER,

AND HE WAS GONNA SLAP HER.

AND I WAS LIKE, "WHAT DO YOU
THINK YOU'RE DOING?"

WHAT'S WRONG
WITH YOU, GIRL?

STOP.
HEY, BACK UP, MAN!

Carol: NO!

DAVE!

Narrator: WHAT WAS SUPPOSED
TO BE A FUN-FILLED NIGHT

AT THE CLUB FOR 27-YEAR-OLD
CAROL SINGH

HAS SUDDENLY GOTTEN UGLY.

HER BOYFRIEND, DAVE,

AND HER FRIEND ANAND SQUARE OFF,
READY TO FIGHT.

Carol: DAVE, STOP!

DAVE, DON'T!

DAVE, STOP!
WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?

WHAT THE HELL'S WRONG
WITH THIS GUY, MAN?

Narrator: ANAND'S NEVER SEEN
THIS SIDE OF DAVE,

AND HE'S AFRAID
FOR CAROL'S SAFETY.

THE NEXT DAY,
ANAND GOES BY TO VISIT CAROL

AND SEE IF SHE'S OKAY.

DAVE SEES THEM AND APOLOGIZES
FOR HIS LATEST OUTBURST.

I'M SORRY
ABOUT LAST NIGHT.

DUDE, YOU BETTER BE SORRY.
COME ON.

HE'S LIKE, "I'M SORRY.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED."

Narrator: BUT ANAND
ISN'T SO QUICK TO FORGIVE.

Anand: I WAS LIKE,
"OKAY, WELL, LISTEN.

"LET IT BE THE FIRST AND LAST -
DON'T PUT YOUR HANDS ON HER,

OR ELSE IT'S GONNA BE ME
AND YOU."

I WON'T HIT HER AGAIN.
SERIOUSLY.

Narrator: EVEN THOUGH CAROL
TELLS ANAND EVERYTHING'S FINE,

IT'S CLEAR THIS COUPLE'S ROMANCE
HAS ISSUES.

SHE STOPPED TELLING ME,

LIKE, WHAT'S GOING ON
BETWEEN THE TWO OF THEM.

KEEP YOUR PHONE ON.
I'LL BE CALLING YOU.

Carol: HE JUST WANTED ME
TO HAVE TIME WITH HIM ALONE.

HE DOESN'T WANT ME TO SPEND TIME
WITH MY FRIENDS.

AFTER THAT, HE WAS
VERY, VERY CONTROLLING.

Narrator: AS DAVE GROWS MORE
AND MORE POSSESSIVE,

CAROL DOES HER BEST
TO KEEP HIM HAPPY.

I SAY, "YOU KNOW WHAT? I WANT
TO GO TO ATLANTIC CITY."

I ASK HIM PERMISSION FIRST,

BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO JUST GO
AND THEN HE GET PISSED OFF.

SOMETIMES HE'D BE LIKE,
"OH, BABY, YOU CAN GO.

I'M WORKING LATE.
ENJOY YOURSELF."

HE KNOWS THAT I'M JUST GAMBLING.

BUT YOU KNOW WHAT?
HE STILL DIDN'T TRUST ME.

HE'S VERY JEALOUS -
VERY, VERY, VERY JEALOUS.

Dr. Jordan:
SLOWLY BUT SURELY,

CAROL IS ADAPTING HER BEHAVIOR

SO THAT DAVE
DOESN'T GET MAD AT HER.

SHE'S MISINTERPRETING
HIS JEALOUSY AND CONTROL

FOR LOVE AND DEVOTION.

Narrator:
ONE DAY IN JULY 2011,

CAROL HEADS TO HER FAVORITE
CASINO IN ATLANTIC CITY.

WHEN YOU'RE ON THE TABLE,
LIKE, GAMBLING,

YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO TALK
ON YOUR PHONE.

[ CELLPHONE RINGING ]

[ RINGING STOPS ]

HE WOULD CALL MY PHONE
A MILLION TIMES.

[ CELLPHONE RINGS ]

I TOLD YOU TO LEAVE
YOUR PHONE ON, CAROL.

This is the third time
I've called you.

[ CELLPHONE BUZZING ]

OKAY. ALL RIGHT.

I'M SO SORRY.

CAROL.

Narrator: DAVE'S CONVINCED

CAROL'S WORKING MORE THAN JUST
THE GAMBLING TABLES...

YOU'RE WITH ANOTHER GUY
RIGHT NOW, AREN'T YOU?

THAT'S WHY YOU'RE NOT
PICKING UP.

Narrator: ...AND DECIDES
TO CATCH HER IN THE ACT.

SOMETIMES, LIKE, IF I'M ON
THE TABLE FOR LIKE 10 HOURS

AND I'M REALLY TIRED,
I GET A ROOM.

SO I WOULD JUST GO UPSTAIRS
AND TAKE A NAP,

YOU KNOW, BEFORE I GO HOME.

Narrator: CAROL'S GETTING READY
FOR BED...

[ ELEVATOR CHIMES ]

I DON'T KNOW WHAT HE TOLD
THE RECEPTIONIST TO GET A KEY.

Narrator: ...WHEN SHE HEARS
THE DOOR CLICK OPEN.

I TRIED CALLING YOU.

AND IT SCARED THE HELL
OUT OF ME.

Dr. Jordan: THEN YOU REALIZE
IT'S YOUR BOYFRIEND, DAVE,

WHO YOU'RE NOT EXPECTING.

I TOOK IT AS A SURPRISE.

YOU DIDN'T TAKE IT
AS CONTROL?

NO.

BECAUSE I WAS HAPPY

THAT HE DIDN'T SEE
THAT I'M CHEATING

OR THAT I'M WITH ANOTHER MAN
OR SOMETHING.

WHY YOU NOT TAKING
MY CALLS?

Narrator:
ACCORDING TO CAROL,

ALTHOUGH DAVE SEES SHE'S ALONE,

HE'S STILL FURIOUS WITH HER
FOR IGNORING HIS CALLS.

CAROL CLAIMS THE ARGUMENT
QUICKLY GETS PHYSICAL.

GET OFF ME!
SHUT UP!

I KNEW IT!
[ SCREAMS ]

STOP!

HE WAS DRINKING.
HE BEAT ME UP SO BAD.

WHY? WHAT HAD YOU DONE?
NOTHING.

[ Crying ] STOP!

Narrator: A GUEST HEARS
THE SCREAMING

AND CALLS SECURITY.

WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?

Narrator: CAROL CLAIMS
DAVE GETS THROWN OUT.

GET OUT!

DID YOU TELL ANYONE IN
YOUR FAMILY ABOUT THE ABUSE?

I DIDN'T WANT MY MOM TO KNOW.
NOBODY.

YOU DIDN'T SEE YOURSELF
BECOMING YOUR MOTHER?

NO.

Dr. Jordan:
IN SPITE OF ALL THE TROUBLE,

CAROL IS COMPLETELY DEVOTED
TO THIS RELATIONSHIP.

SHE IS GOING TO MAKE IT WORK.

ALWAYS LOYAL TO THE CORE,

SHE NEVER TELLS ANYBODY
ABOUT THEIR TROUBLES

BECAUSE SHE CAN'T ADMIT
TO HERSELF

THAT SHE MAY HAVE
MADE A TERRIBLE MISTAKE.

Narrator: DAVE'S FAMILY TELLS
A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT STORY.

I SAW HER WALKING UPSTAIRS
OTHER DAY DRUNK.

WHAT KIND OF WOMAN IS THAT?

Narrator:
THEY CLAIM CAROL, NOT DAVE,

IS THE ABUSER
IN THE RELATIONSHIP.

DID SHE SCRATCH YOU?

Kavita: DAVE USED TO COME
WITH CERTAIN MARKS ON HIM.

LIKE A COUPLE TIMES,

SHE SCRATCHED HIM UP
ON HIS FACE.

YOU HAVE TO END IT.
I CAN'T.

Narrator:
DAVE'S FATHER AND SISTER

URGE HIM TO BREAK THINGS OFF
WITH CAROL,

BUT HE WON'T LISTEN.

Kavita: I USED TO ALWAYS SAY,
YOU KNOW, "LEAVE HER.

SHE'S A CRAZY PERSON,"

BUT HE WOULD SAY
HE'S IN LOVE WITH HER.

SAID THAT HE'S GOING TO BUY
A HOUSE FOR THE TWO THEM,

AND THEY WANT ME
TO LIVE WITH THEM.

I SAID, "IF YOU BUY A HOUSE,
TWO ARE GONNA LIVE. NOT ME."

I WILL NOT STEP
ONE FOOT IN IT!

Narrator: INCREDIBLY,
DESPITE ALL THAT'S HAPPENED,

CAROL ALSO HASN'T GIVEN UP
ON THE FANTASY

OF A HAPPILY EVER AFTER.

DID YOU THINK YOUR LOVE
COULD CHANGE HIM?

YES. I WAS THINKING, LIKE,
MAYBE AFTER WE GET MARRIED,

WE'LL HAVE A KID.

LIKE, IN MY MIND, HE'S NOT GONNA
BE LIKE THAT FOREVER.

HE LOVES ME.
HE'S OBSESSED, OKAY.

I WAS THINKING,
LIKE, THAT'S LOVE.

SEPTEMBER 4, 2011,
LABOR-DAY WEEKEND.

HE TOLD ME, "MAKE NO PLANS."
HE'S TAKING ME SOMEWHERE.

YOU THOUGHT IT WAS GONNA BE
A SPECIAL, ROMANTIC WEEKEND?

THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT, BUT IT
WAS SOME CLUB IN BROOKLYN.

IT'S A CLUB WHERE DAVE
OCCASIONALLY DEEJAYS,

AND THE COUPLE'S HANGING OUT
BEFORE HIS SET.

HE WAS DRINKING.

HE GOT A LOT OF BOTTLES
AND ALL THESE THINGS.

THEY WERE DOING
THE DEEJAY THING.

SO HE WENT ON STAGE.

I'M NEXT UP, SO, MWAH!
I'LL SEE YOU LATER.

[ CHEERING, LAUGHTER ]

CAROL LOVES TO DANCE
AND IS ENJOYING THE MUSIC.

THEN A HANDSOME GUY
APPROACHES HER.

"WHAT A PRETTY GIRL LIKE YOU
IS STANDING BY YOURSELF FOR?"

AND I SAID,
"NO. MY BOYFRIEND IS HERE."

HE GET REALLY UPSET, LIKE,
IF SOMEONE WOULD SAY HI TO HER.

HE'S, LIKE, REALLY JEALOUS.

Narrator:
UNFORTUNATELY FOR CAROL,

DAVE SEES THE WHOLE EXCHANGE
AND ERUPTS.

ACCORDING TO CAROL,

DAVE RUSHES OFF STAGE

AND HITS HER SO HARD
HE KNOCKS HER TO THE FLOOR.

WHAT THE HELL'S WRONG WITH YOU?!
YOU TRYING TO EMBARRASS ME?

AND HE PICKED ME UP
FROM THE FLOOR BY MY HAIR.

GET UP!
GET UP RIGHT NOW!

WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM?
WHY ARE YOU TALKING TO GUYS?

WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU?

WHY ARE YOU DISRESPECTING ME
LIKE THIS?

TALKING TO ****
WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU?

HE CHOKED ME, AND THEN THE GUYS
WHO WAS STANDING THERE

AND EVERYBODY
WENT ON TOP OF HIM.

LET GO OF ME, MAN.
LET GO OF ME.

ARE YOU OKAY?

SO, IN FRONT OF OTHER PEOPLE,
HE'S BEATING YOU.

YEAH.
THAT WAS VERY SAD.

Narrator: DAVE GETS TOSSED
OUT OF THE CLUB.

THIS NIGHT, CAROL SLEEPS ALONE
AT HER HOUSE.

I WENT TO MY ROOM,

I CLOSED THE DOOR,
AND I JUST SLEPT.

AND... I JUST DON'T FEEL LIKE
LIVING NO MORE.

THE NEXT MORNING,

CAROL VOWS TO BREAK FREE
FROM DAVE ONCE AND FOR ALL.

[ CELLPHONE CHIMES ]

THAT IS,
UNTIL SHE HEARS FROM HIM.

LATER IN THE DAY,
HE TEXTS ME.

HE WON'T CALL ME.

HE DOESN'T HAVE THE GUTS
TO TALK TO ME.

HE TEXTS ME, "I LOVE YOU."

I SAID,
"NO. YOU DON'T LOVE ME."

AND HE SAID, "I'M SORRY."

I SAID, "OKAY. YOU'LL SEE
WHAT YOU DID TO ME."

EVEN WITH ALL THE SIGNS
TELLING HER DAVE'S BAD NEWS,

CAROL STILL CLINGS TO
THE FANTASY OF A HAPPY ENDING.

SHE AGREES TO SEE HIM
THAT EVENING.

Anand: SHE THINKS
IT'S GONNA GET BETTER

BECAUSE HER MOM USED TO ALWAYS
KEEP RUNNING BACK AND STUFF.

MAYBE SHE THINK THAT THAT'S WHAT
SHE GOT TO DO OR SOMETHING.

HE DID NOT COME HOME UNTIL,
LIKE, AFTER 11:00 AT NIGHT.

Narrator:
CAROL IS STILL WEARY OF DAVE,

BUT AFTER A FEW DRINKS,
SHE LETS HER GUARD DOWN.

HE WAS DRINKING.

HE HOLD A HENNESSY BOTTLE
AND DRINKED IT BY HIS HAND.

YEAH?

DESPITE EVERYTHING
THAT'S HAPPENED,

CAROL DECIDES
TO SPEND THE NIGHT.

WANT SOME?
NO.

Carol: HIM AND I WENT TO GET
READY TO GO TO SLEEP.

HE WANTED TO HAVE SEX.

HE WAS PLAYING THE MUSIC
REALLY LOUD,

LIKE ROMANTIC SONGS.

CAROL CLAIMS DAVE ALSO
WANTS ASSURANCE

SHE'S STILL COMMITTED TO HIM.

HEY, YOU LOVE ME, RIGHT?

HE ASKED ME IN THE MIDDLE
OF EVERYTHING,

"BABY, YOU LOVE ME?"

I SAID, "YEAH, I LOVE YOU."

UNLESS YOU GIVE ME
A REASON NOT TO.

WHAT?!
WHAT DID YOU SAY?

HUH?

ACCORDING TO CAROL, IT'S NOT
THE ANSWER HE WANTS TO HEAR.

ARE YOU CHEATING ON ME?!

I DON'T KNOW
WHAT PISSED HIM OFF.

HE STARTED BEATING ME UP
AND PUNCHING ME.

OW!

CAROL MAKES A RUN FOR IT
AND CRAWLS TOWARD THE KITCHEN,

BUT SHE CLAIMS DAVE QUICKLY
GAINS THE UPPER HAND.

[ Echoing ] DAVE, NO!
NO!

HE GRABBED A KNIFE.

[ Crying ] SO, HE WAS SITTING
ON TOP OF ME WITH A KNIFE.

FOR MORE ON HOW CAROL
IS DOING NOW,

Narrator: HUNGRY
FOR HER HAPPILY EVER AFTER,

CAROL SINGH HAS ENDURED
AN 18-MONTH-LONG RELATIONSHIP

POISONED BY JEALOUSY,
FEAR, AND ABUSE.

SHE NOW FEARS FOR HER LIFE

AS HER BOYFRIEND THREATENS HER
WITH A KNIFE.

[ SCREAMS ]

I WAS SCREAMING REALLY LOUD
FOR HELP,

BUT NOBODY CAME TO HELP ME,

SO I HAD TO FIGHT
AND WRESTLE WITH HIM.

HE WAS HOLDING THE KNIFE,
AND I TRIED TO GRAB IT.

IT WAS A BATTLE BETWEEN
THE KNIFE, ME AND HIM.

SHUT UP!

SO, I WAS KICKING HIM
FROM THE BACK.

DAVE'S DRUNKENNESS WORKS
TO CAROL'S ADVANTAGE.

BUT I DON'T KNOW
HOW HE FLIPPED OVER

BY THE GARBAGE OR WHATEVER.

AND I GOT UP, AND I RUN OUT
ON THE STREET FOR HELP.

SHE FLEES DAVE'S HOUSE

BUT DOESN'T FEEL SAFE
GOING HOME NEXT DOOR.

I THOUGHT HE WAS RUNNING
BEHIND ME.

[ GROANS ]

Narrator: DAVE TRIES TO GO AFTER
CAROL BUT DOESN'T GET FAR.

SHE RUNS DOWN THE STREET
TO HIDE FROM HIM,

UNAWARE THAT DAVE'S
NO LONGER A THREAT.

WHAT HAPPENED?
DAVE!

DAVE'S FATHER
HEARS THE COMMOTION.

[ Crying ]
WHAT HAPPENED?

HE FINDS HIS SON
LYING IN A POOL OF BLOOD.

[ DIALING ]

SO, WHEN I TAKE HIM UP,
I HOLD HIM IN MY ARMS.

I CALL 911.

HE WAS UNCONSCIOUS.

MY SON HAS BEEN STABBED.
PLEASE HURRY.

Narrator: THEN HE CALLS
DAVE'S SISTER IN TEARS.

I HEARD MY DAD SCREAMING.

[ Crying ] DAVE!

HE WAS CRYING LOUD.

Narrator: WITHIN MINUTES,

POLICE AND PARAMEDICS ARRIVE
ON THE SCENE.

PLEASE, PLEASE, HURRY!

HURRY! MY SON!

OKAY. HE HAS A PULSE.

Narrator: THEY SCRAMBLE
TO SAVE DAVE'S LIFE.

[ SIREN WAILS ]

POLICE QUICKLY FIND CAROL,

STILL HIDING,
JUST A FEW BLOCKS AWAY.

[ RADIO CHATTER ]

CAROL SINGH?

[ Crying ] THE COPS CAME,
AND THEN THAT WAS IT.

WHEN YOU SAY,
"THAT WAS IT"...?

I DIDN'T GET TO SEE HIM BACK.
I DIDN'T KNOW HE GOT STABBED.

I DIDN'T KNOW NOTHING.

Dr. Jordan: CAROL CANNOT
REMEMBER THE DETAILS

OF THAT FATAL ENCOUNTER
WITH DAVE

BECAUSE SHE SELECTIVELY
REMEMBERS

ONLY THE GOOD THINGS ABOUT
THE DAVE SHE WAS IN LOVE WITH.

THIS SORT OF SELECTIVE BLINDNESS
LED HER TO A FUGUE.

SHE'S BLOCKED OUT
THE VIOLENT ENCOUNTER

IN THE INTEREST OF
SELF-PRESERVATION.

Narrator: DESPITE CAROL'S CLAIM
SHE WAS BEATEN THE NIGHT BEFORE,

AUTHORITIES DO NOT REPORT
SEEING ANY BRUISES ON HER.

Woman: WE'RE GONNA DO EVERYTHING
THAT WE CAN FOR HIM.

Narrator: WHEN CAROL'S MOTHER,
ANNIE, COMES OUTSIDE

TO SEE WHAT'S GOING ON,

SHE GETS NEWS
SHE NEVER EXPECTED TO HEAR.

Annie: AND I SAID,
"WHAT HAPPENED OVER THERE?"

SHE SAID, "I DON'T KNOW.

THE TWO OF THEM WERE FIGHTING,
AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED."

AND I SAID, "WHERE IS SHE?"

Woman: I'M NOT HEARING ANYTHING
ON THIS SIDE AT ALL.

WE GOT TO GO.
LET'S GET HIM OUT OF HERE.

Dilip:
PLEASE, TRY.

ALL RIGHT. DON'T DIE.

DAVE!

Narrator:
KAVITA ARRIVES AT THE SCENE

AS PARAMEDICS LOAD DAVE
INTO THE AMBULANCE.

[ Crying ] DAVE!

I WAS CALLING OUT,
"DAVE, DAVE, DAVE.

SISTER IS HERE."

AND THAT'S THE LAST TIME
I THINK I SAW HIM ALIVE.

[ SIREN WAILS ]

Narrator: DAVE DIES EN ROUTE
TO THE HOSPITAL.

HAVE A SEAT RIGHT THERE.

CAROL GETS THE NEWS
AT THE POLICE STATION.

UH, THE VICTIM PASSED AWAY
FROM HIS INJURIES.

OKAY.

Dr. Jordan: SO, YOU DIDN'T KNOW
THAT HE DIED UNTIL YOU -

[ Crying ] I DIDN'T KNOW.

UNTIL YOU GOT
TO CENTRAL BOOKING

AND THEY TOLD YOU YOU WERE BEING
CHARGED WITH MURDER.

I REMEMBER THE KNIFE
BEING ON THE FLOOR,

AND THEN KICKING,
AND I WAS FIGHTING WITH HIM

TO GET OFF OF ME,

BUT I DON'T REMEMBER
HIM GETTING STABBED.

WHERE DID THE KNIFE
HIT HIM?

I DON'T KNOW.

YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW
WHERE THE KNIFE STABBED HIM?

NO.
JUST ONCE?

MY LAWYER SAID
LIKE THREE TIMES.

I DON'T KNOW.
[ SNIFFLES ]

Narrator: CAROL IS INITIALLY
CHARGED WITH FIRST-DEGREE MURDER

BUT LATER PLEADS GUILTY
TO MANSLAUGHTER.

SHE'S SENTENCED TO SEVEN YEARS
IN PRISON.

THE SAY SHE KILLED DAVE -
THAT'S THE DAY I WAS DEAD, TOO.

I DON'T FEEL LIKE
I HAVE A LIFE ANYMORE.

SHE SAID SHE WAS SORRY,

BUT I WILL ALWAYS HAVE ANGER
TOWARDS HER.

SHE COULD HAVE DONE
SOMETHING ELSE.

Narrator: CAROL INSISTS
SHE ACTED IN SELF-DEFENSE.

DID YOU REALLY BELIEVE THAT
AT THAT MOMENT?

THAT IF YOU DIDN'T FIGHT,
IF YOU DIDN'T STRUGGLE,

HE WOULD HAVE KILLED YOU?

IT WOULD HAVE BEEN ME

OR IT WOULD HAVE BEEN
BOTH OF US.

[ SCREAMS ]

Anand: SHE REALLY LOVED HIM,
AND HE LOVED HER A LOT, TOO,

BUT I DON'T KNOW WHY
THEY KEEP FIGHTING.

THEY WAS PLANNING
TO GET MARRIED AND STUFF.

NOW HE'S JUST LAYING IN A COFFIN
AND SHE'S IN PRISON.

Narrator:
CAROL IS SERVING HER TIME

AT THE BEDFORD HILLS
CORRECTIONAL FACILITY.

I STILL LOVE HIM.

I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE STILL
BE WITH HIM

IF HE WAS ALIVE, LIKE...

RIGHT NOW,
SITTING IN FRONT OF YOU,

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO DAVE?

I'M SORRY.

THE CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH LED
CAROL TO STABBING DAVE

WERE REALLY THE PERFECT STORM
OF CAROL'S DREAMS,

DAVE'S ABUSE,
AND THEIR MUTUAL DENIAL.

THE SILVER LINING IS THAT CAROL
IS YOUNG ENOUGH

TO SERVE HER TIME AND GET OUT
AND START HER LIFE OVER,

AND THIS TIME, HOPEFULLY,
LEARN FROM HER MISTAKES.

I'M GLAD
THAT I'M A SURVIVOR.

I NEVER WANT TO BE IN AN ABUSIVE
RELATIONSHIP AGAIN.

[ Voice breaking ] I WANT TO
LIKE MY LIFE MORE

AND LOVE MYSELF MORE.