The Shadows We Hide

EPILOGUE

Catherine's POV

I stand in my backyard, feeling the warm sun on my face and the gentle breeze in my hair.

It's hard to believe it's been 15 years since I escaped from Zak's abuse. It feels like a lifetime ago.

As I look back on my journey, I'm reminded of the struggles I faced. The loss, the abuse, the feelings of hopelessness and despair.

There were times when I felt like I was completely alone, like God had abandoned me.

But as I reflect on my experiences, I realize that God was with me all along.

He was with me in the darkest moments, when I felt like I was at my lowest point. He was with me when I was struggling to find the strength to keep going.

I remember the times when I felt like I was losing my faith.

When Zak's abuse seemed too much to bear, and I wondered if God was even real. But despite my doubts, I held on to my faith.

I held on to the hope that God would one day deliver me from my suffering.

And then, one day, He did. I found the strength to escape from Zak's abuse, and I began my journey towards healing and recovery.

It wasn't easy, of course. There were still times when I struggled with my faith. Times when I felt like God was distant, or that He didn't care about my suffering.

But I learned to lean on Him, even when I didn't feel like He was there.

I learned to trust in His goodness, even when my circumstances seemed bad.

I learned to hold on to His promises, even when I didn't see the fulfillment of them.

And slowly but surely, I began to heal. I began to see that God was indeed good, and that He did care about my suffering.

I began to see that He was with me all along, even in the darkest moments.

As I stand in my backyard today, I'm reminded of the journey I've been on.

I'm reminded of the struggles I faced, and the ways in which God carried me through them.

The Police arrived shortly after Zak's death and I was questioned.

I explained everything and I was not charged for the death of Zak or Lisa. I was advised to go for Therapy and I did not rebuke the Idea.

So began my healing period.

Therapy made me realise how much I blamed myself for my children's death and How I wish I had done so many things differently.

I realised that Zak and his Altar did not Love me they were obsessed with the Idea of me.

I still find myself thinking of them. I mean I loved them at some point. They weren't always like this.

When the Kid's were born they were the best husband a woman could have.

I just wished I'd seen the signs earlier.

But through all this I realised that God never left. I may have given up on him after everything I've been through but he hasn't given up on me.

He never left me.

I tried to rush his plan and look where that got me. A Protea embedded into my skin...

The Plus side to all this is I met Aqua. He is the most sweetest man I've ever met and a Christian.

And no. I've made sure he is not like Zak.

We have two Children together! The oldest is named Marie and the second born Zacchias.

We moved to Argentina for a change of scenery and now I'm as happiest as I could ever be.

The lesson here is. Don't rush things. Remember:

●God is in control
●God has a plan for me
● God will never fail me

And the verse that has kept me going.

~ I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me~

"Cat! Zacchias just threw up on me!" I hear Aqua shout down the hall.

"Coming you big baby!"

"Marie!! Come help your dad!"

Wow I love my life!

The end.

THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH. IT HAS BEEN SUCH A TOUGH JOURNEY BUT WE MADE IT!!! AHHH!!

**THROWS CONFETTI!**

TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS HOW YOU FOUND THE STORY GOOD? MID? BAD?  YOU CAN ALSO JUST RANDOMLY COMMENT ANYTHING!

ADIOS!

**TAKES PACKED LUGGAGE AND BEGINS NEW JOURNEY**

Total Word Count :

17200