Book excerpt: From No.1 bestselling author Toni Maguire comes a new true story of abuse and survival. 'Whatever you do, don't go back to him, not this time. If not for your sake, then for your children's.' Ava Thomas knew leaving was the right decision. Trapped and manipulated in her relationship, and after yet another violent beating whilst she was pregnant, Ava was helped to a women's refuge with her children. Listening to the stories of other women there, Ava began thinking back to where it all started to go wrong. Brought up by a mother who never loved her, Ava sought that missing care and warmth elsewhere. Running away to her father's home as a teenager, she thought she might finally be safe. But after being abused by her own brother, she was thrown out onto the streets. Ava searched for the love she had been desperately missing her whole life, and ended up in a relationship controlled by domestic violence. Lifted by the strength of the other women around her, Ava found a new home, a fresh start and never looked back - with her loving children by her side.