Wives with Knives (2012–…): Season 5, Episode 4 - Not My Cup of Tea - full transcript

A WILD TEEN
TURNS HER LIFE AROUND...

HELP!

...TO PURSUE A BRIGHTER FUTURE.

- HOW'S IT GOING?
- HEY.

I COULD SEE THIS LITTLE GIRL

THAT WANTED TO BLOSSOM
INTO SOMETHING GOOD.

AFTER STRUGGLING
TO MAKE ENDS MEET,

SHE MARRIES THE MAN
OF HER DREAMS.

I MEAN, IT MUST HAVE
MADE YOU HAPPY.

I WAS ECSTATIC.

I SAW SOMEONE THAT WANTED
TO LOVE ME



AND, LIKE,
ACTUALLY TAKE CARE OF ME.

WE HAD EACH OTHER.
IT WAS AWESOME.

BUT A DEEP, DARK SECRET

WILL PUSH HER
TO HER BOILING POINT.

- I'M SORRY.
- YOU LIED TO ME.

SHE CAN BE PRETTY AGGRESSIVE

IF SHE WAS PUSHED
TO THAT LIMIT.

KNOWING THAT I WAS CAPABLE
OF DOING THAT SCARED ME.

NOT ALL FAIRY TALES
HAVE HAPPY ENDINGS.

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

CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY
DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS

IT'S 24-YEAR-OLD
MISSEY MARTINEZ'S WEDDING DAY.

- I DO.
- I DO.

BUT HER ROMANTIC HONEYMOON



HAS TURNED INTO
A NIGHT OF HORROR.

CALM DOWN.

WHAT DID YOU THINK
YOU WERE DOING?

STOP!
HAYDEN!

MISSEY IS NO STRANGER
TO VIOLENCE.

GROWING UP IN PHOENIX, ARIZONA,

HER PARENTS FOUGHT
CONSTANTLY AND DIVORCED

WHEN SHE WAS YOUNG.

BY THE TIME MISSEY
GETS TO HIGH SCHOOL,

SHE'S A HARDENED TEENAGER.

SHE JUST STARTED
TO REBEL, YOU KNOW.

MY MOM WOULD GET MAD

BECAUSE SHE WENT OUT
AND DIDN'T COME BACK ON TIME.

OR SHE'D COME HOME DRUNK.

OR SHE GOT IN TROUBLE AT SCHOOL.

WHEN HER MOTHER CAN'T
HANDLE HER ANYMORE,

SHE SENDS MISSEY TO LIVE
WITH HER FATHER, JAVIER.

HE OWNS A GROUP
OF SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSES

AND LIVES IN A WELL-TO-DO
NEIGHBORHOOD IN SCOTTSDALE.

HEY, MISSEY.

HE AGREES TO TAKE MISSEY.

AND SHE MOVES IN WITH HIM
AND HIS GIRLFRIEND, ANNIE.

- HEY, DAD.
- MISSEY.

THE REUNION GETS OFF
TO A ROCKY START.

WHAT ARE YOU WEARING?

WHAT DO YOU MEAN,
WHAT AM I WEARING?

I WAS WEARING BOXERS
AND DICKIES.

I WAS, LIKE, GANGSTER.

JAVIER, BE NICE.

LUCKILY FOR MISSEY,
THERE'S ANNIE.

SHE HAD A REALLY
GOOD PERSONALITY.

DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT.

I COULD SEE THIS LITTLE GIRL

THAT WANTED TO BLOSSOM
INTO SOMETHING GOOD.

SHE HAD A BIG HEART.

MISSEY, COME HERE.

THE NEXT DAY,

ANNIE GIVES MISSEY
A FULL MAKEOVER.

I DON'T LIKE IT.

IT WAS A WHOLE
DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE,

A LOT OF MONEY...

DIFFERENT ATMOSPHERE.

- YOU LOOK AMAZING.
- REALLY?

IT FEELS WEIRD.
- I LOVE IT.

I THOUGHT IT WAS GONNA
BE HARD TO FIT IN.

I KINDA TRIED TO SHOW HER

THAT SHE DIDN'T HAVE
TO ALWAYS WEAR PANTS.

LET ME SEE YOU.
TURN AROUND.

AND SHE DID.
SHE TOOK ADVANTAGE OF IT.

SHE TURNED HERSELF INTO,
LIKE, A REAL GIRLY GIRL.

YOU'RE GLOWING.

SHE WAS REALLY NICE
AND LOVING AND CARING.

I DON'T THINK I KNEW
WHAT A MOTHER WAS

UNTIL I MET ANNIE.

IT'S TIME FOR A CHANGE.

SO YOU GOING TO THE MOVIES
TONIGHT WITH US?

MISSEY
IS A HIT AT HER NEW SCHOOL.

ARE YOU GOING
TO KEVIN'S TONIGHT?

FOR A WHILE, HER OLD LIFE
IN PHOENIX SEEMS FAR AWAY.

SHE JOINS THE CHEERLEADING TEAM

AND STAYS OUT OF TROUBLE.

SHE MADE A LOT OF FRIENDS.

SHE WAS HAPPY.

HEY, YOU GUYS
WANNA TRY SOMETHING?

BUT OLD HABITS DIE HARD.

COME ON.

ALL RIGHT. FIRST, YOU GOTTA
START OFF WITH A SOCK.

ALL RIGHT?

I STARTED
TEACHING THESE KIDS

HOW TO DO BAD STUFF.

POUR IT IN THERE.

WHAT WERE SOME
OF THE HORRIBLE THINGS

YOU TAUGHT
THESE OTHER KIDS?

I TAUGHT THE GIRLS
ON THE CHEERLEADING TEAM

HOW TO HUFF NAIL POLISH.

YOU GOTTA DO IT. COME ON.
- ARE YOU SURE?

SOON, THE GIRLS
ARE HAVING A GREAT TIME...

OH, YEAH.

...UNTIL ONE OF THEM
STARTS FEELING SICK.

YOU GUYS, I'M REALLY
FREAKING OUT.

- TELL HER TO CHILL.
- DUDE, YOU'RE FINE.

- JUST RELAX.
- YOU'RE FINE.

SHE GOT REALLY PARANOID,
AND SHE STARTED CRYING.

DUDE, IT'S OKAY.

- GET UP.
- YOU'RE FINE.

BRIT, COME BACK.

WHAT'S WRONG?

BEFORE YOU KNOW IT,
IT CAME DOWN TO ME.

I GOT IN TROUBLE.

WHO DID THIS, HONEY?

- IT WAS MISSEY.
- WHO'S THAT?

MISSEY MARTINEZ?

- AND I WAS SUSPENDED.
- I'M SO SORRY.

MISSEY MARTINEZ, YOU'RE GOING
TO THE OFFICE WITH ME.

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN DOING?

DR. CASEY JORDAN
IS A CRIMINOLOGIST

WHO STUDIES VIOLENT BEHAVIOR.

MISSEY'S PARENTS HAVE ALWAYS
SENT HER CONTRADICTORY MESSAGES

ABOUT PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY.

SHE THINKS THAT THEY
DON'T CARE ABOUT HER.

SO WHY SHOULD SHE CARE
ABOUT THEIR RULES?

THERE IS A RAY
OF LIGHT WITH ANNIE,

THE FIRST PERSON TO TREAT HER
WITH REAL LOVE AND RESPECT.

BUT IS THAT GOING
TO BE ENOUGH

TO KEEP MISSEY
ON THE RIGHT PATH?

WHEN MISSEY GETS HOME,
THERE'S HELL TO PAY.

- I HATE YOU.
- YOU'RE JUST LIKE YOUR MOTHER,

SPOILED ROTTEN BITCH.
- DAD!

I DON'T THINK HE KNEW
HOW TO DISCIPLINE HER CORRECTLY.

STOP IT!
AND HE'D GET TO THE POINT

WHERE HE JUST WANTED
TO SMACK HER.

GO! GET OUT OF HERE!
- SHE'S MY KID!

GET OUT!

I PRETTY MUCH GOT MY ASS
KICKED FROM MY DAD.

I THINK IT JUST MADE HER
MORE REBELLIENT.

SHE DIDN'T WANT
TO FOLLOW DAD'S RULES.

FOR THE NEXT YEAR,
THINGS ONLY GET WORSE.

MISSEY, WAIT.

PLEASE DON'T
HESITATE TO CALL

IF YOU NEED ABSOLUTELY
ANYTHING. OKAY?

JAVIER'S FINALLY HAD ENOUGH.

HE TOLD HER, "FINE. YOU'RE GOING
BACK TO YOUR MOTHER'S."

AND, LIKE, AFTER THAT,
SHE WAS GONE.

BACK IN PHOENIX,
MISSEY STARTS

ATTENDING HER
NEIGHBORHOOD HIGH SCHOOL.

YOU CAN'T HANG WITH US,
MISSEY.

YOU AIN'T DOWN.
YOU AIN'T WITH THIS ****

HERE, YOU DON'T FIT IN
UNLESS YOU BELONG TO A GANG.

BITCH, HUH?
HUH, BITCH?

MISSEY DECIDES TO JUMP
ON THE BANDWAGON.

YOU GONNA LAUGH?

BUT FIRST, SHE HAS TO
SURVIVE THE INITIATION.

GET OUT OF MY HEAD, GIRL.

I HAD TO GET BEAT UP.

COME ON, YOURSELF.

DAMN, BITCH.

AND THEY WERE ALL IN THEIR 20s.

WHO SAID YOU COULD
FIGHT BACK, BITCH?

I THINK I GOT IN,
LIKE, TWO PUNCHES.

THAT WAS IT.

COME ON. ON YOUR FEET.
GET UP. GET UP.

YOU WANNA BE ONE OF US?
YOU BETTER GET UP.

I JUST REMEMBER
TELLING MYSELF,

"JUST THINK THIS IS NOT
HAPPENING RIGHT NOW."

GET UP.
WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO

ABOUT IT, HUH, MISSEY?

I WAS GETTING BEAT
PRETTY BAD.

COME ON, MISSEY.
COME ON, GIRL.

- THEY FINALLY STOPPED.
- GET YOUR ASS UP, GIRL.

YO, MISSEY,
YOU'RE ONE OF US NOW.

I REMEMBER GETTING
OFF THE CONCRETE.

I DIDN'T HAVE
MY OWN DREAMS.

IT WAS KIND OF, LIKE,
"THIS IS WHAT THE WORLD IS."

IT'S ALMOST LIKE
YOU'VE GIVEN UP

ON ANY HOPE
OF ANYONE LOVING YOU

OR CARING FOR YOU
OTHER THAN THIS GANG.

YEAH, THEY TREATED ME
WITH RESPECT.

THEY HAD MY BACK.

ANYBODY TRIED TO HURT ME,
I HAD THEM.

MISSEY HAS A HOLE IN
HER HEART FROM HER CHILDHOOD,

REJECTION FROM HER MOTHER,
HARSH DISCIPLINE BY HER FATHER.

AND SHE, LIKE SO MANY OTHERS
FROM BROKEN FAMILIES,

TRIES TO FILL THAT VOID.

BY JOINING A GANG
THAT OFFERS ACCEPTANCE

IN EXCHANGE FOR LOYALTY,

MISSEY FINDS THE FAMILY
SHE'S NEVER HAD.

AT THE AGE OF 17,

MISSEY DROPS OUT OF SCHOOL
AND MOVES IN WITH A FRIEND.

LIFE AT HER NEW HOME

IS A CONSTANT PARADE
OF DRUG USERS.

HEY, WHO IS IT?

PRETTY SOON, SHE MEETS HER
FRIEND'S METH DEALER,

23-YEAR-OLD RONALD.

HE WAS UP THERE IN THE GANG.

HE WAS WELL-KNOWN.

HE COULD PULL
ANY GUN HE WANTED.

HE WAS HANDSOME,
BEAUTIFUL EYES.

HEY.

WHAT'S YOUR NAME?

MISSEY.

HE WAS TRYING
TO TALK TO ME.

AND I WAS PRETTY,
LIKE, SCARED.

I THINK WE SHOULD
HANG OUT SOMETIME.

I JUST MET YOU.

I DON'T BITE.
I'M A NICE GUY.

IT'S THE FIRST TIME

A MAN HAS SHOWN INTEREST
IN MISSEY.

AND SHE'S NOT SURE
HOW TO REACT.

RONALD'S FRIENDS
CALL HIM CASANOVA.

FOR ME?

AND HE USES ALL HIS CHARMS
TO WOO MISSEY.

I GOT GIFTS.
HE PAMPERED ME.

VERY CARING, COOL.

EVENTUALLY, MISSEY AGREES
TO BE HIS GIRLFRIEND.

YOU LOOK BEAUTIFUL.

DON'T YOU GUYS
GOT SOMEWHERE TO BE?

BEFORE I KNOW IT,

I BASICALLY GAVE UP
MY VIRGINITY TO HIM.

HE WAS, LIKE, THE LOVE
OF MY LIFE AFTER THAT.

HE WOULD PARADE ME
AROUND LIKE HIS TROPHY.

BUT DATING A HARDENED
CRIMINAL COMES AT A PRICE.

HE LOOKED LIKE HE WAS
PISSED OFF AT THE WORLD.

- YOU GOOD?
- YEAH, I'M GOOD.

WHAT'S WRONG?

NOTHING.

AND THERE WAS
A BIG, LONG GUN.

AND I'M LIKE, "OH, COOL."

WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?
IS THIS EVEN REAL?

WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?
DAMN, MISSEY!

WHAT'S YOUR PROBLEM?

I JUST WIPED
THE PRINTS OFF THIS GUN.

NOW I'M GETTING,
LIKE, PARANOID AND,

LIKE, WHAT THE ****

RONALD,
WHAT DID YOU DO?!

LISTEN, CHILL!

I HAD TO SHOOT THEM,
MISSEY.

BEFORE MISSEY CAN EVEN
PROCESS RONALD'S WORDS...

...ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE.

WHAT DID YOU DO?!

I HAD TO SHOOT THEM,
MISSEY.

I REMEMBER JUST
HITTING THE FLOOR.

STAY DOWN!
STAY DOWN!

AND HE'S LIKE,
"JUST STAY DOWN."

AND THEY WOULD JUST -

THEY JUST KEPT
SHOOTING AND SHOOTING.

I WAS SO SCARED.

MISSEY, STAY DOWN.
COME ON.

WE GOTTA MOVE.
WE GOTTA MOVE.

HE GOT ME...
- GET IN. GET IN. GET IN.

...THREW ME
IN THE BATHTUB,

THEN TOLD ME
TO WAIT THERE.

RONALD, COME BACK.

AND HE STARTED SHOOTING
FROM THE BACK DOOR.

RONALD!

AFTER WHAT FEELS
LIKE AN ETERNITY,

THE BULLETS FINALLY STOP.

- THEY'RE GONE.
- GET OUT!

LEAVE!

MISSEY'S DONE WITH RONALD

AND DECIDES IT'S TIME
TO ESCAPE GANG LIFE.

IT MADE HER THINK TWICE
ABOUT WHERE SHE WAS LIVING.

BUT SHE NEEDS HELP.

HELLO?

ANNIE, CAN I JUST
STAY WITH YOU, PLEASE?

I WASN'T ABOUT TO LEAVE
HER THERE ALONE.

MISSEY,
WHAT'S GOING ON?

I JUST REALLY NEED
A PLACE TO STAY, PLEASE.

I JUST COULDN'T BELIEVE

THAT NEITHER
ONE OF HER PARENTS WANTED HER.

SHE DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING.

I'M REALLY HAPPY
YOU'RE HERE.

DESPITE THE FACT
THAT ANNIE AND JAVIER

ARE NO LONGER TOGETHER,

ANNIE WELCOMES MISSEY

INTO HER SCOTTSDALE HOME
WITH OPEN ARMS.

I THINK IT'S STILL REALLY
IMPORTANT THAT YOU KNOW

THAT YOU NEED TO ABIDE
BY MY RULES HERE.

SHE TOLD ME, "LOOK,
IF YOU WANNA LIVE HERE,

YOU HAVE TO COME HOME
AT THIS TIME.

AND YOU HAVE
TO GET A JOB."

I HAD TO SHOW HER
THAT I TRUSTED HER.

AND SHE SAID, "NOBODY'S EVER
TRUSTED ME LIKE YOU DID."

- YOU WANT MORE COFFEE?
- SURE.

THIS IS WHAT PARENTS
ARE SUPPOSED TO DO

THAT YOUR PARENTS
NEVER DID, HUH?

YEAH. AND I
ACTUALLY RESPECTED THAT.

AND I RESPECTED HER.

ANNIE IS
SO IMPORTANT TO MISSEY

BECAUSE SHE IS THE ONLY
PARENTAL ROLE MODEL

WHO REALLY DEMONSTRATES
ANY CONCERN AND GUIDANCE.

MISSEY'S PARENTS MAY LOVE HER.

BUT ANNIE PROVIDES
THE STABILITY AND ENCOURAGEMENT

THAT MISSEY NEEDS TO SURVIVE

THE STORM OF HER TEENAGE YEARS.

MISSEY'S DETERMINED
TO MAKE SOMETHING OF HERSELF.

- HEY.
- HOW'S IT GOING?

SHE STARTS WORKING ON HER G. E. D.

AT THE LOCAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE

AND GETS A JOB
AS A CASHIER.

SHE WOULD SAY THINGS, LIKE,

SHE'S AFRAID SHE CAN'T CHANGE.

I KNOW AND BELIEVE 100%
THAT YOU CAN DO THIS.

I USED TO ALWAYS
CONSTANTLY TELL HER,

"YOU CAN CHANGE."

ONE FALL NIGHT,
MISSEY'S HAVING

SOME WELL-EARNED FUN
AT A HOUSE PARTY.

SHE WANTS TO GET HOME BY CURFEW

BUT ISN'T QUITE READY TO DRIVE.

I HAD, LIKE,
A COUPLE BEERS,

BUT I KNEW I HAD
TO BE HOME AT 10:30.

- SURE, LET'S GO.
- THANKS.

SO I HAD ASKED A FRIEND
IF HE COULD TAKE ME HOME.

MISSEY GETS A RIDE
WITH HER NEIGHBOR CARLOS

AND THREE OF HIS BUDDIES.

HEY, MIKE.
GOT ANY OF THAT STUFF?

THERE YOU GO.

- HEY.
- ALL RIGHT, GUYS.

SO THIS IS MISSEY.

- I'M HAVING ONE, JUST ONE.
- SURE.

COME ON,
BEFORE WE HIT THE ROAD.

- YEAH.
- THERE YOU GO.

THAT WAS A BOMB PARTY,
WASN'T IT, GUYS?

DOES THIS TASTE
A LITTLE WEIRD TO YOU GUYS?

AFTER A FEW SIPS,

MISSEY FEELS STRANGE.

I'VE HAD ENOUGH.
I'M GOOD. THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT.
ALL RIGHT.

MY HEAD'S STARTING TO HURT.

NO PROBLEM.
NO PROBLEM.

YOU FEELING
ALL RIGHT, MISSEY?

HER VISION GETS FUZZY.

AND SHE'S UNUSUALLY SLEEPY.

I JUST WANNA GO HOME.

THAT'S ALL RIGHT.
WE'LL BE ON OUR WAY.

YOU WERE PARTYING.
YOU HAD A LONG NIGHT.

YEAH, MIKE WILL
TAKE CARE OF YOU.

JUST KICK BACK, RELAX.

THE NEXT THING
MISSEY REMEMBERS

IS WAKING UP
IN AN UNFAMILIAR PLACE.

I ENDED UP IN A SHED
WITH MY CLOTHES RIPPED OFF.

I WAS ON A WOOD BENCH
WITH MY LEGS SPREAD.

I THINK I WAS RAPED.

WHEN MISSEY REALIZES THAT
SHE'S ON CARLOS' PROPERTY...

WHY YOU LOOK LIKE THIS?

YOU CAN'T TALK TO MY SON.

...SHE'S DETERMINED TO FIND OUT
EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED.

I WOKE UP IN YOUR SHED.

CARLOS!

HIS GRANDMOTHER COMES
OUT, AND I'M TELLING 'EM

I DON'T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON,
WHAT HAPPENED.

AND HE SAID
THAT I WANTED HIM.

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?
YOU WANTED IT.

I WANTED 'EM ALL.
I WAS FLIRTING WITH ALL OF 'EM.

CARLOS, I WAS IN YOUR SHED!

CARLOS' GRANDMOTHER
IS HORRIFIED.

SHE STARTED
YELLING AT HIM.

AND SHE CALLED
THE POLICE ON HIM

'CAUSE HE WAS
ON PROBATION.

AND I'M CRYING.

I WAS DISTRAUGHT
AND DISGUSTED WITH MYSELF.

I FELT...
"THIS IS JUST WRONG."

I LEFT.

MISSEY WALKS HOME
TO ANNIE'S HOUSE

JUST UP THE STREET.

SHE FEELS BROKEN.

I JUST WENT
TO THE BATHROOM.

AND I POPPED EVERYTHING

THAT WE HAD
IN THE MEDICINE CABINET.

WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?

I WAS DONE.

I'M TIRED.

I JUST REMEMBER
LOSING CONSCIOUSNESS.

MANY RAPE VICTIMS
CONSIDER SUICIDE

AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN ASSAULTED.

AND MISSEY IS NO DIFFERENT.

NOT ONLY WAS SHE GANG-RAPED

BY GUYS THAT SHE THOUGHT
WERE HER FRIENDS,

BUT SHE FEELS TRAUMATIZED
AND DEVASTATED AND BETRAYED.

IT'S NOT SURPRISING THAT SHE
ATTEMPTS TO TAKE HER OWN LIFE

JUST TO GET RID
OF THE PAIN.

HEY, MISSEY.
I'M HOME.

MISSEY.

MISSEY.
MISSEY.

MISSEY.
OH, MY GOD.

WHAT DID YOU DO?

I DON'T KNOW, EMPTY BOTTLES.
I THINK SHE TOOK SOMETHING.

SHE WOULDN'T GET UP
OFF THE COUCH.

SO I CALLED AN AMBULANCE.

OH, MY GOD.
OH, GOD.

MISSEY MARTINEZ
HAS JUST ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.

MISSEY.
OH, MY GOD.

WHAT DID YOU DO?

WE'RE GONNA GET THROUGH THIS,
THOUGH. OKAY?

WHEN MISSEY COMES TO,

SHE FINDS HERSELF
IN THE HOSPITAL.

DOCTORS TREAT HER
FOR THE OVERDOSE.

AND SHE UNDERGOES
A RAPE KIT EXAM.

I WAS ANGRY THAT THEY DID THAT
TO HER AND THINKING, YOU KNOW,

"GOD, NOW THIS IS REALLY
GONNA MESS HER UP.

HERE I AM TRYING TO HELP HER,
AND THIS HAPPENS."

ANNIE CALLS MISSEY'S FATHER.

NOTHING BROKEN?

- NO.
- SHE'S OKAY.

OH, MY GOD, JAVIER.

- SHE'S FINE.
- SHE'S NOT FINE.

DON'T WASTE MY TIME.
ALL RIGHT?

- WAIT, DAD.
- JAVIER.

- HE WOULDN'T EVEN TALK TO ME.
- WHAT?

IT'S YOUR FAULT.
YOU WERE DRINKING.

HE SAID, "YOU PROBABLY
DESERVED IT."

I WAS DEVASTATED.
I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT.

DON'T BELIEVE
A WORD HE SAID.

I FELT SO BAD FOR HER.

THIS POOR KID, IT'S -
SHE'S NEVER GONNA GET A BREAK.

EVENTUALLY, CARLOS IS
CHARGED FOR MISSEY'S RAPE.

BUT THE OTHER THREE MEN
ARE NEVER BROUGHT TO JUSTICE.

MISSEY WANTS TO PUT THE HORRIFIC
EXPERIENCE BEHIND HER.

MISSEY HAS A LOT
TO DEAL WITH.

NOT ONLY WAS SHE
TRAUMATIZED BY THE RAPE.

BUT HER FATHER'S REACTION
OF BLAMING THE VICTIM

AND THEN THE CRIMINAL
JUSTICE SYSTEM'S FAILURE

TO CONVICT
ALL OF HER ATTACKERS,

IT LEAVES HER WITH A REAL
UPHILL BATTLE TO HEAL.

MISSEY'S GONNA NEED
A LOT OF RESILIENCE

TO MAKE IT THROUGH.

ARMED WITH HER G. E. D.,

MISSEY MOVES TO EL PASO,
TEXAS,

AND GETS HER OWN APARTMENT.

HEY, MOM.
YEAH, I'M DOING GOOD.

SO YOU'RE THINKING A FRESH START
IN A WHOLE NEW CITY.

YEAH.

SHE WANTS TO GET A DEGREE
IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE.

SHE WANTED A DIFFERENT LIFE.

BUT IT'S A STRUGGLE.

I WAS HUNGRY.

SO I STARTED, LIKE,

ACTUALLY GOING TO CHURCHES
AND GETTING FOOD.

SOMETHING NEEDS TO CHANGE.

- ALREADY ON CHAPTER NINE.
- OH, COOL.

- WE CAN JUST SHARE TONIGHT.
- COOL.

I ENDED UP MEETING
A FRIEND IN SCHOOL.

IT'S, LIKE, SO BORESVILLE.

SHE HAD A LOT OF MONEY.

NO, NO, NO.
I GOT IT.

I HOPE THEY HAVE CHANGE
FOR A HUNDRED.

MISSEY DECIDES TO PROBE.

- HOW DO YOU HAVE SO MUCH MONEY?
- CAN YOU KEEP A SECRET?

AND HER FRIEND
LETS HER IN ON HER SECRET.

THE NEXT THING MISSEY KNOWS,

SHE'S AT ONE OF EL PASO'S
BIGGEST GENTLEMEN'S CLUBS

WHERE JENNY IS
A FEATURED DANCER.

AND IT'S AMATEUR NIGHT.

SHE'S TRYING TO GET ME
TO GO UP THERE.

AND SHE'S GIVING ME
A OUTFIT AND SHOES.

JENNY, I DON'T KNOW
ABOUT THIS.

AND I'M SCARED.

SHE WAS VERY VULNERABLE,
VERY INNOCENT, VERY YOUNG,

IN THE INDUSTRY,
YOU WOULD CALL A VIRGIN.

SO I KIND OF GAVE HER TIPS
ON WHAT TO DO.

ARE YOU SURE?

FINALLY,
I GOT THE BALLS.

GOOD LUCK, HONEY.

WHOO!

I HADN'T BEEN EATING.

I LITERALLY LOOKED
LIKE THE POLE.

LIKE, I WAS SO SKINNY
AND SCARED.

THE CROWD IS STARING AT HER.

AND ALL MISSEY
CAN DO IS STARE BACK.

SO HOW DID YOU KNOW
HOW TO STRIP AND DANCE?

I DIDN'T.
I HELD ONTO THE POLE.

AND, LIKE, I JUST -
I JUST STAYED THERE.

AND, LIKE,
I KIND OF JUST...

I TOLD HER, "JUST DON'T
PAY ATTENTION TO THE CROWD.

DO YOUR THING.
LISTEN TO THE MUSIC."

BUT SHE WAS SEXY
AND CUTE ANYWAY.

SHE DIDN'T HAVE TO DO
TOO MUCH UP THERE.

THE CROWD GOES WILD
THANKS TO JENNY.

WHOO, MISSEY!

SHE KNEW A LOT
OF PEOPLE IN THERE.

ISN'T SHE PRETTY?
COME ON!

I THINK
THEY FELT SORRY FOR ME.

THE CHEERS BOOST
MISSEY'S CONFIDENCE.

SHE ENJOYED THE ATTENTION.

MISSEY WINS THE
CONTEST AND TAKES HOME $600,

A GOLD MINE FOR THE STARVING
COLLEGE STUDENT.

ONCE THAT MONEY CAME...

THAT WAS IT.

BEFORE YOU KNOW IT,
SHE WAS HOOKED.

WITHIN A MONTH, SHE'S A PRO.

I QUIT MY JOB.

AND I CONTINUED SCHOOL.

AND I STARTED STRIPPING
TO PAY FOR MY FOOD,

ENDED UP GETTING
A NICER APARTMENT.

WHAT'S FUNNY IS,
WHEN SHE WAS YOUNGER,

SHE USED TO ALWAYS TELL MY MOM
SHE WAS GONNA BE A STRIPPER

WHEN SHE GETS OLDER.

TURNS OUT SHE WAS RIGHT.

AND IT GAVE ME SELF-CONFIDENCE,
BELIEVE IT OR NOT.

I STARTED LOOKING
AT MYSELF DIFFERENT.

I SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN
SO INSECURE.

AND I STARTED WORKING OUT.

I STARTED
TAKING CARE OF MYSELF.

MISSEY DIDN'T JUST
FALL INTO THE WORLD OF STRIPPING.

SHE CHOSE IT.

MORAL JUDGMENTS ASIDE,
IT WAS A LOGICAL WAY FOR HER

TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS
OF MAKING ENDS MEET.

THE CHALLENGE IS GOING TO BE,

CAN SHE SEPARATE
OUT HER WORK WORLD

FROM HER PERSONAL GOALS?

BECAUSE IT'S VERY EASY

FOR STRIPPING TO BECOME
A LIFESTYLE INSTEAD OF A JOB.

SEE YOU OUT THERE.

I FINALLY HAD
CONTROL OF MY LIFE.

THEN, WHEN YOU START
MAKING LOTS OF MONEY,

THEN THE PARTYING COMES.

BUT THE PARTYING
QUICKLY TAKES A TOLL.

I REMEMBER BEING IN FRONT
OF THE MIRROR AND, LIKE,

HAVING TO PUT
THIS MAKEUP ON AGAIN,

HAVING TO PUT THIS
PERSONA ON AGAIN.

IT WAS
EMOTIONALLY DRAINING.

IT'S FAKE.

AND,
"OH, YOU'RE SO HANDSOME.

YOU'RE SO GREAT,"
IT'S KIND OF LIKE ACTING.

YOU GET TIRED OF IT.

THEN ONE NIGHT, A MAN WALKS INTO
THE CLUB WHO CATCHES HER EYE.

I JUST KEPT LOOKING
AT THIS GUY.

AND HE HAD THE FANCY
SHIRT, MONEY.

HE HAD
EXPENSIVE GLASSES.

SO HE'S JUST
KIND OF PROJECTING

THIS WHOLE IMAGE
OF JOE COOL.

YEAH.
AND HE EVEN HAD HIS HAIR,

LIKE, SPIKED UP, STIFF.

LIKE HE PUT THE WHOLE BOTTLE
OF **** GEL ON HIS HAIR.

I'M THINKING,
"HE'S JUST RIDICULOUS.

HE JUST WANTS ATTENTION."

SO I WAS JUST LIKE,
HE'S A GOOFBALL."

HE LOOKS STRANGELY FAMILIAR,

BUT MISSEY JUST CAN'T PLACE HIM.

HEY, EXCUSE ME.
HEY, DO I KNOW YOU?

SUDDENLY, IT CLICKS.

AIDEN WAS HER
HIGH SCHOOL CRUSH.

OH, MY GOD, MISSEY.

HE WAS A PLAYBOY
WHEN I KNEW HIM BACK IN SCHOOL.

HE WAS REALLY
POPULAR THEN.

SO HE ONLY WAS
WITH THE POPULAR GIRLS.

AIDEN NOW HAS
A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS

REMODELING HOMES.

HE WAS GOOFY, FUNNY.

HE WAS ACTUALLY
REALLY HANDSOME

WITHOUT ALL THAT CRAP
HE WAS WEARING.

I'M ACTUALLY A LITTLE THIRSTY.
DO YOU WANT ANOTHER DRINK?

THE PAIR END UP
TALKING ALL NIGHT

AND MAKE PLANS
TO GET TOGETHER.

BEFORE LONG, MISSEY AND AIDEN
ARE INSEPARABLE.

HE WAS A COOL GUY,
YOU KNOW.

HE HAD HIS **** TOGETHER.

HE, FROM WHAT I'VE SEEN,
RESPECTED MY SISTER,

TREATED HER WELL,
AN ALL-AROUND GOOD GUY.

FOR THE FIRST TIME,
MISSEY FEELS UNCONDITIONAL LOVE.

WE HAD A REALLY
GOOD RELATIONSHIP.

WE COUNTED
ON ONE ANOTHER.

NOTHING BOTHERED US
'CAUSE WE HAD EACH OTHER.

AND IT WAS AWESOME.

THINGS MOVE QUICKLY.

AND AIDEN SOON MOVES IN.

I HAD A FEELING
THAT HE NEEDED LOVE.

HE NEEDED A FRIEND.

HE NEEDED SOMEONE THAT CARED
AND LISTENED TO HIM.

AND THAT'S WHAT I BECAME.

BUT, MISSEY, ISN'T THAT
EXACTLY WHAT YOU NEEDED, TOO?

THAT'S WHY WE WERE
ATTRACTED TO EACH OTHER.

I THINK HE GOT ME.

HE UNDERSTOOD ME.

AND THEIR CONNECTION
GETS EVEN DEEPER.

HE WAS MY FIRST ORGASM.

YOU WORKED AS A STRIPPER
IN THE SEX INDUSTRY.

YEAH.

BUT YOU'RE TELLING ME
THAT YOU WERE JUST KIND OF,

LIKE, TOTALLY SHUT DOWN
WHEN IT CAME TO INTIMACY.

UNTIL AIDEN.

DO YOU WANNA GO AGAIN?

HE ALSO GETS HER
OFF THE POLE.

DID HE FORBID YOU TO GO BACK
TO THE STRIP CLUBS?

YES. HE SAID,
"YOU DON'T NEED IT.

AND IF YOU NEED
SPENDING MONEY,

I HAVE IT FOR YOU."

MISSEY'S ACTUALLY RELIEVED.

I HAD BILLS.
I WAS STRESSED OUT.

I WAS TIRED.

I'M GOING TO THESE MEN.

AND FINALLY, IT'S LIKE,
"WOW, REALLY?"

I SAW SOMEONE THAT WANTED
TO LOVE ME

AND, LIKE,
ACTUALLY TAKE CARE OF ME.

DO YOU WANT ANY COFFEE?

- YEAH, SURE.
- I'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

THE COUPLE FALLS
INTO A COMFORTABLE RHYTHM.

MISSEY CAN FINALLY
FOCUS ON SCHOOL

AND SETS HER SIGHTS
ON BECOMING A PARALEGAL.

IT WAS GREAT GOING TO SCHOOL,
GETTING HOME,

COOKING FOR BOTH OF US.

IT FELT REALLY GOOD
TO BE NORMAL.

MY MOM TEXTED ME ABOUT
JOSH'S BIRTHDAY THIS WEEKEND.

YOU WANNA GO?
- NO.

BUT AFTER A BLISSFUL
HONEYMOON PERIOD...

- WHY NOT?
- ...MISSEY'S FEELING RESTLESS.

WE'RE NOT GOING.

I STARTED WANTING
TO GO OUT WITH FRIENDS.

AND HE WAS NOT WANTING
TO GO OUT NO MORE.

HE WANTED TO STAY HOME.

ACCORDING TO MISSEY,

AIDEN'S NOT ONLY
GROWING ANTISOCIAL.

HE ALSO STARTS POPPING
XANAX PILLS ON A DAILY BASIS.

NOW THIS IS A HUGE RED FLAG.

AIDEN MANIPULATES
AND ISOLATES HER.

AND NOW HE'S ABUSING XANAX.

BUT MISSEY TURNS A BLIND EYE
TO IT, ENABLING HIS CONTROL.

SHE ADMITS THAT THEY ACT

AS EMOTIONAL CRUTCHES
FOR EACH OTHER.

SO IT'S EASY FOR THEM TO FALL
INTO CODEPENDENT BEHAVIOR.

LOOKING PRETTY GOOD.
WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK?

BUT MISSEY'S FAMILY
DOESN'T DETECT A PROBLEM YET.

AS FAR AS I KNOW, HE WAS
COOL WITH THE FAMILY PART.

MAYBE HER FRIENDS, YOU KNOW,

BECAUSE HER FRIENDS
WERE ALL STRIPPERS.

BUT, UH, HE WOULD ALWAYS
GO OVER TO THE HOUSE,

GO KICK IT WITH US.

AIDEN,
WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

ONE NIGHT,
MISSEY AND AIDEN HAVE PLANS

TO MEET HER FRIENDS
AT A CONCERT.

I WANNA GO OUT.
LIKE, I NEED TO GO OUT.

I'VE BEEN WORKING HARD.

I DON'T THINK YOU SHOULD GO.

ACTUALLY, I'M GOING.

I DESERVE TO GO OUT.

MISSEY.

MISSEY CLAIMS
THAT WHILE SHE'S OUT,

HER CELLPHONE EXPLODES.

I KEPT GETTING
TEXT MESSAGES

AND CALLS FROM HIM OVER
AND OVER AND OVER.

HE SENT ME A TEXT MESSAGE

SAYING THAT HE WANTED
TO KILL HIMSELF.

SHE RACES HOME
FROM THE CONCERT,

NOT SURE WHAT TO EXPECT.

ACCORDING TO MISSEY,
WHEN SHE GETS HOME,

SHE FINDS AIDEN WITH
A BOX CUTTER IN HIS HAND.

YOU RUINED EVERYTHING.

BUT SHE'S NOT HIS TARGET.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
WHY DO YOU HAVE A BLADE?

- YOU NEVER LOVED ME.
- WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

- I DON'T LOVE ME.
- OH, MAN. AIDEN, STOP! STOP!

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
WHY DO YOU HAVE A BLADE?

- YOU NEVER LOVED ME.
- WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

AIDEN, STOP!
STOP!

ON HIS ARM, HE'S CUTTING
WITH A RAZOR BLADE.

STOP!
- THIS IS YOUR FAULT.

OH, MY... STOP!

AIDEN, STOP!
WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

MISSEY TRIES
TO STOP THE BLEEDING.

AND THEN HE DID IT AGAIN.

AND I WAS JUST LIKE,
"OKAY. THIS IS WEIRD."

THAT'S WHEN I CALLED
THE EMERGENCY SERVICES ON HIM.

SHE CLAIMS THAT, AS SOON AS SHE
MAKES THE CALL, AIDEN TAKES OFF.

MY BOYFRIEND,
HE'S CUTTING HIMSELF.

WHEN HE RETURNS HOME
A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER,

MISSEY PROMISES SHE'LL
BE THERE FOR HIM.

WHEN HE COMES BACK,
DO YOU GUYS

JUST ACT LIKE
THIS NEVER HAPPENED?

WE TALK ABOUT IT
A LITTLE BIT.

I THINK YOU SHOULD
TALK TO SOMEONE.

I DON'T NEED
TO SEE A COUNSELOR.

I'M FINE.

HE HAD BEEN HURT
BY A LOT OF STUFF

THAT HAPPENED
IN HIS CHILDHOOD.

HE HAD A CRAZY MOM.

AND HIS DAD ALWAYS
DISAPPOINTED HIM.

I FEEL LIKE
I CAN FIX HIM.

AND, UM, IT WAS,
LIKE, BACK TO NORMAL.

WHAT ARE YOU
TALKING ABOUT?

DESPITE THEIR BEST INTENTIONS,

FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS,

THE COUPLE'S RELATIONSHIP
IS TUMULTUOUS.

- CALM DOWN!
- MISSEY'S HAD ENOUGH.

- KNOCK IT OFF.
- GET OUT. OUT!

HEY, CALM DOWN.

GET YOUR STUFF
AND GET OUT.

AIDEN WANTS
TO MAKE IT WORK.

BUT MISSEY'S TIRED
OF THE FIGHTING.

IF SHE'S GOING
TO TRY AGAIN,

SHE NEEDS TO KNOW IT'S FOREVER.

I TOLD HIM, "THE ONLY
WAY IS IF WE GET MARRIED.

AND I NEED TO KNOW
THAT YOU LOVE ME THAT MUCH."

YOU'D MARRY ME?

"AND IF YOU DON'T, THEN THIS
IS NOT WORTH GOING FOR."

ALL RIGHT.

LET'S GET MARRIED.

RIGHT NOW?

COME ON, LET'S GO.

I MEAN, IT MUST HAVE
MADE YOU HAPPY.

I WAS ECSTATIC.

HOW MANY WARNING
SIGNS CAN MISSEY IGNORE?

SHE STILL HAS THAT VOID
IN HER LIFE FROM HER CHILDHOOD,

HOPING THAT A MAN'S LOVE
CAN MAKE HER FEEL COMPLETE.

BUT A MARRIAGE IS MORE
THAN JUST A WEDDING.

AND THE IDEA
THAT EXCHANGING VOWS

WILL SUDDENLY JUST MAKE
THEIR PROBLEMS DISAPPEAR,

IT'S JUST SIMPLY NAIVE
AND UNREALISTIC.

AIDEN SUGGESTS
A VEGAS WEDDING.

BUT AFTER 10 HOURS IN THE CAR,

THE COUPLE IS AT
EACH OTHER'S THROATS.

AND EXCHANGING VOWS
IS THE LAST THING

THEY WANT TO DO.

ANYBODY WANNA GET MARRIED?

WE FOUGHT THE WHOLE WAY.

READY TO GET MARRIED,
LITTLE LADY?

ELVIS JUST APPEARED.
AND I'M JUST LIKE ****

SO HE'S WALKING ME
DOWN THE AISLE.

AND I'M JUST LIKE,
"THIS IS JUST A JOKE."

DEARLY BELOVED...

BUT THEY GET SWEPT UP
IN THE MOMENT.

AND BEFORE THEY KNOW IT...

BABY, DO YOU TAKE
THIS HOUND DOG

TO BE YOUR LAWFULLY
WEDDED HUSBAND?

- I DO.
- I DO.

WE LOOKED AT EACH OTHER.
AND WE LOOK AT ELVIS.

- ALL RIGHT.
- AND IT'S LIKE, "ALL RIGHT.

ALL RIGHT.
WE'RE MARRIED."

BRING IT ON HOME, SON.

EVERYTHING WENT AWAY.

THE FIGHT WENT AWAY.
OUR BOND CAME BACK.

AND WE STARTED
LAUGHING TOGETHER.

- THANK YOU.
- THANKS.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
THE BRIDE AND GROOM

HAVE LEFT THE BUILDING.

BYE!

AFTER DINNER,
THE NEWLYWEDS CHECK IN

TO A HOTEL ON THE VEGAS STRIP.

BUT THEY HAVE
DIFFERENT IDEAS

ABOUT HOW TO SPEND THEIR FIRST
NIGHT AS HUSBAND AND WIFE.

WE'RE GONNA GO OUT TONIGHT.
COME ON.

I DON'T REALLY FEEL
LIKE GOING OUT.

I CAN SEE THAT SHE WANTS
TO HAVE FUN.

SHE WANTS TO CELEBRATE.

COME ON.
LET'S GO OUT.

WE'RE IN VEGAS.
LET'S GO HAVE A DRINK.

NO, I DON'T FEEL LIKE IT.
LOOK, I'M JUST NOT IN THE MOOD.

MISSEY PROMISES
TO BE BACK SOON.

SHE CAN'T RESIST
TRYING HER LUCK.

SHE GETS SUCKED IN
BY THE VEGAS VIBE

AND ENDS UP HAVING
ONE TOO MANY DRINKS.

HEY. HEY, HONEY.
HEY.

ARE YOU OKAY?

- MM-HMM.
- THINK YOU CAN STAND?

WE BETTER GET YOU UP
TO YOUR ROOM.

IT'S AFTER 2:00 A. M.

CAN I CALL ANYBODY
FOR YOU?

AIDEN WON'T BE HAPPY.

WHERE THE HELL
HAVE YOU BEEN?

I WENT TO THE BAR TO PLAY
SOME GAMES AND PASSED OUT.

ACCORDING TO MISSEY...

HOW COULD YOU DO THIS?

...AIDEN LOSES IT.

STOP!
AIDEN, STOP!

STOP, AIDEN!
GET OFF ME!

- I OWN YOU!
- STOP!

WE'RE MARRIED NOW!

I REMEMBER HIM
BUSTING MY NOSE.

AND I'M BLEEDING.

THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT,
NOT MINE.

AND I REMEMBER
BEING REALLY SICK,

LIKE,
JUST NAUSEATED SICK.

MISSEY CLAIMS AIDEN SUDDENLY
REGRETS WHAT HE'S DONE.

HE JUST GETS SO TIRED.
AND HE CRIES.

AND HE RUNS A BATH
FOR ME.

THE NEXT MORNING,
SHE WAKES UP.

AND HER NEW HUSBAND
IS FULL OF APOLOGIES.

SHE WONDERS IF SHE'S MADE
A TERRIBLE MISTAKE

BY MARRYING HIM.

BUT SHE IS TAKEN
BY AIDEN'S SINCERITY

AND FORGIVES HIM.

THIS IS THE CLASSIC
CYCLE OF DOMESTIC ABUSE.

HE MAY HAVE BEAT HER BEFORE.

BUT NOW THAT THEY'RE MARRIED,
HE THINKS HE OWNS HER.

AND WHEN A BATTERER
BEATS HIS VICTIM,

HE SAYS, "OH, BABY,
I'M SO SORRY.

I LOVE YOU. I PROMISE
I WILL NEVER DO IT AGAIN."

THE TRAGEDY IS,
SHE BELIEVES HIM.

WHEN MISSEY AND AIDEN
ARRIVE BACK HOME IN EL PASO,

THEY SETTLE INTO MARRIED LIFE.

- HEY, BABE.
- HEY.

THEN A FEW MONTHS LATER,

MISSEY GROWS SUSPICIOUS

THAT AIDEN MAY BE
STEPPING OUT ON HER.

USUALLY,
HE WOULD PUT HIS PHONE

AND HIS KEYS DOWN
ON THE COUNTER.

AND THIS TIME,

HE HAD BEEN PUTTING THEM
IN THE CLOSET, HIDING 'EM.

I'M GONNA SHOWER.

OKAY.

I WANT TO KNOW
WHAT'S GOING ON.

ONCE MISSEY HEARS THE SHOWER
TURN ON, SHE GETS TO WORK.

I FOUND THE PHONE.
AND I TURN IT ON.

AND HE GETS
A TEXT MESSAGE.

AND I'M LIKE, "WHAT?"

MISSEY IMMEDIATELY CALLS
THE PERSON WHO TEXTED.

SHE'S COMPLETELY UNPREPARED
FOR WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.

THIS IS HIS WIFE.

BABY?

AIDEN!

I LOST IT.

AIDEN!
SO YOU LIED TO ME?

YOU'D BEEN MARRIED TO HIM

AND NEVER KNEW HE HAD A CHILD
BY ANOTHER WOMEN.

I MEAN, THAT'S A BIG SECRET
TO KEEP FROM YOUR WIFE.

- YEAH.
- AND YOU'VE BEEN WITH HIM

FOR A LITTLE WHILE
AT THIS POINT.

IT WAS YEARS.

THIS ISN'T
SOMETHING SMALL.

MISSEY, THIS WAS
A LONG TIME AGO.

DON'T TALK TO ME.

MISSEY, HOLD ON.

MISSEY IS CLOSE TO
FINALLY BECOMING A PARALEGAL.

SHE CONCENTRATES
ON GETTING HER DEGREE.

I TOLD MYSELF I WASN'T GOING
TO FOCUS ON HIM ANYMORE.

I WANTED TO GET THROUGH
MY FINAL EXAMS.

I WAS SO CLOSE.

MISSEY!

MISSEY CLAIMS THAT
AIDEN SUDDENLY COMES FLYING IN

TO THE HOUSE
IN A FUMING RAGE.

YOU BROKE MY PHONE.
YOU KNOW THAT?

HE WANTED MY ATTENTION.
HE WANTED ME TO TALK.

AND AT THIS POINT,
I WAS STUDYING.

SO I IGNORE HIM.

ACCORDING TO MISSEY,
THIS ONLY FUELS AIDEN'S FIRE.

YOU BROKE MY PHONE.
AND THEY CAN'T **** FIX IT.

SO FINALLY,
TO GET MY ATTENTION,

HE PUNCHED ME IN MY FACE.

AND AT THIS POINT,
I'VE HAD IT.

THIS TIME, MISSEY IS GOING
TO MAKE HER HUSBAND PAY.

YOU BROKE MY PHONE.
YOU KNOW THAT?

I PICKED UP
MY HOT GLASS OF TEA.

AND I JUST WENT
TO HIT HIM IN HIS FACE.

GET AWAY FROM ME!
- WHAT THE HELL?!

CRAZY BITCH,
WHAT DID YOU DO?

I WANTED TO BREAK HIS FACE
LIKE HE BROKE MINE.

INSTEAD, THE GLASS
SHATTERS ON AIDEN'S ELBOW.

DAMN IT!
ARE YOU CRAZY?!

AND IT JUST
SPLURTED OUT BLOOD.

DON'T JUST STAND THERE.
CALL AN AMBULANCE.

I WENT COMPLETELY NUMB.

GOD!

SO EVEN THOUGH
YOU HAD SLICED

THE ENTIRE
BACK SIDE OF HIS ARM

WITH THE BROKEN GLASS,

YOU DIDN'T WANNA
CALL 911?

NO, I WAS DONE.

I WENT INTO, LIKE, SHOCK.

I JUST WANTED HIM OUT.

DON'T JUST STAND THERE.
CALL AN AMBULANCE.

YOU KNOW THAT,
IF YOU CUT A MAJOR ARTERY,

SOMEBODY CAN BLEED OUT
IN THE SPACE

OF FIVE OR SIX MINUTES?

I DIDN'T CARE.
I DIDN'T REALLY CARE.

GOD!

MISSEY CALMLY WALKS OUTSIDE,

LEAVING AIDEN TO CALL
911 HIMSELF.

I'M SITTING OUTSIDE,
STILL IN A DAZE.

AND HE'S CRYING LIKE
A LITTLE BITCH.

THAT BITCH TRIED TO KILL ME,
THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED.

BUT ACCORDING
TO POLICE REPORTS,

AIDEN TELLS THE COPS

THAT HE WAS GETTING
READY TO MOVE OUT

BECAUSE OF THEIR FIGHT
THE NIGHT BEFORE

AND THAT HE WAS JUST TRYING
TO GIVE MISSEY

A HUG GOODBYE

WHEN SHE RESPONDED BY
HITTING HIM WITH THE GLASS CUP.

BACK OFF!
BACK OFF! HEY!

I DON'T KNOW.
HE WASN'T THE TYPE TO...

TO JUST GO OFF FOR NO REASON
AS FAR AS I'VE SEEN.

BUT ACCORDING TO MY SISTER,
HE WOULD BEAT HER UP.

HE SAYS, SHE SAYS, YOU KNOW?

I DIDN'T HAVE NO PHYSICAL MARK
IS WHAT THEY SAID.

HE HIT ME.

WITH NO PROOF OF HIS ABUSE,

THE COPS SIDE WITH AIDEN.

AND WAS IT REALLY LEGALLY
SELF-DEFENSE THE WAY THE -

THE ATTACK WENT DOWN?
- YEAH.

I WAS JUST TIRED
OF BEING BEAT.

I'M TIRED
OF BEING ABUSED.

AND HE WASN'T GONNA HIT ME

WHEN I WAS TRYING
TO DO MY FINAL.

I WAS TRYING TO MAKE
SOMETHING OF MYSELF.

AND HE WAS TRYING
TO DEMOLISH IT.

SO I GOT UP.

AND I STUCK UP
FOR MYSELF.

OKAY. I'M GONNA NEED YOU
TO STEP ASIDE.

MISSEY'S TAKEN INTO CUSTODY

AND CHARGED WITH BATTERY.

WHILE SHE'S IN JAIL,
SHE MISSES HER FINALS.

HE HIT ME!

SO THERE'S GOES MY SEMESTER
OF ALL MY HARD WORK.

I'M JUST REALLY PISSED
AT THIS POINT.

AFTER A FEW DAYS,
AIDEN BAILS MISSEY OUT.

GIVE ME MY JACKET.

SHE CLAIMS HE APOLOGIZES
FOR PUNCHING HER

AND ADMITS THE INCIDENT
WAS ENTIRELY HIS FAULT.

TAKE ME HOME.

WHEN HE REFUSES
TO TESTIFY AT HER TRIAL,

THE PROSECUTOR
DROPS THE CHARGES.

MISSEY.

HOW DID THE INCIDENT
WITH THE STABBING,

HOW DID IT CHANGE YOU?

KNOWING THAT I WAS CAPABLE
OF DOING THAT SCARED ME.

AND, UM, KNOWING THAT
I DIDN'T HAVE

ANY REMORSE
SCARED ME WORSE.

I ACTUALLY LIKE HOW MISSEY

DOESN'T APOLOGIZE
FOR WHAT SHE DID.

SHE NOW SEES EVERYTHING CLEARLY.

SHE'S BREAKING HER PATTERN
OF DEPENDENCE ON OTHERS.

AND SHE DOESN'T NEED
A MAN TO DEFINE HER.

MISSEY DOESN'T HAVE ANY REMORSE

BECAUSE SHE THINKS
AIDEN DESERVED IT

FOR PUSHING HER SO FAR.

SHE DIDN'T PLAN TO HURT HIM.

BUT THERE'S ONLY SO
MUCH SHE COULD TAKE.

THE TWO TRY
TO SALVAGE THEIR MARRIAGE,

BUT IT'S BEYOND REPAIR.

THEY DIVORCE 4 YEARS
LATER IN 2010.

MISSEY HAS MOVED BACK
TO PHOENIX, ARIZONA.

SHE'S DONE THERAPY TO WORK
THROUGH HER CHALLENGES

WITH ANGER MANAGEMENT.

SHE'S WORKING WITH TEENAGERS

AS A MENTAL HEALTH TECHNICIAN
AT A HALFWAY HOUSE.

I'M VERY HAPPY.
I'M BY MYSELF.

I LIVE BY MYSELF.
I REACH OUT TO KIDS

THAT HAVEN'T HAD THE LOVING
AND NURTURING

THAT I DIDN'T HAVE
WHEN I WAS YOUNG.

AND I SHOW THEM THAT
THERE'S SOMEONE THAT CARES.

AND HOW HAS THIS EXPERIENCE
CHANGED YOUR VIEW OF LOVE?

I'M IN LOVE WITH LOVE,
BUT I'M LETTING IT COME TO ME.

WHEN IT'S RIGHT,
IT'LL BE RIGHT.