I look up at him in shock. Does he think that he’s the only one affected by all of this? I’ve turned his world upside down? Even in a paralytic state, the man is delusional.

‘Goodbye, Jesse.’ I push past him, heading straight for the stairs, fighting the urge to look back. The devastating man I fell I love with, the man that I thought would be engraved on my mind’s eye for the rest of my life, has been cruelly replaced by that nasty, drunken creature.

‘I wanted to tell you, but you had to be your usual difficult self!’ he roars at my back. ‘How can you walk away?’ I flinch at his harshness but keep going. ‘Ava, baby, please!’

Half way down the stairs, I hear a loud clatter and a collection of bangs and crashes. This just makes me run faster. Any dream of falling into his strong, loving arms has been sensationally dashed. My happy ever after with my lovable rogue has been chewed up and spat out. I could have tumbled into a relationship with Jesse without a clue about his dark secrets. When would I have eventually found out?

I should be thankful. At least I know now, before it’s too late.

Before it’s too late?

It’s way past too late.

I approach Kate’s door in a numb haze and it swings open before I have a chance to put my key in the lock.

She looks at me, confusion clear on her face. ‘What’s happened?’ she asks, her eyes all wide and concerned. Sam appears behind her. One look at his face tells me he knows exactly what’s just happened.

Every aching muscle gives way, including my heart, and I collapse to the floor in a heap, sobbing uncontrollably. I’m vaguely aware of arms wrapped around me, rocking me back and forth. But they don’t comfort me.

They’re not Jesse’s.