Beauty & the Beatings: Physical Abuse, Love, Rape no Escape. True story about Domestic Violence.

I am looking at my destroyed reflection. My right hand is holding a 22LRGBG that is pointing at my head… it is a perfect gun for Russian Roulette. But I am not playing. I don’t recognize this person anymore. I destroyed my life and I don’t want to stay on this Earth. I cannot believe that LOVE with a man did this to me! Erika Santos has everything: a supportive husband, six beautiful children, and an optimistic outlook on life. She’s living in Europe, managing her own financial companies and a non-profit organization, and appearing in many television shows and magazines. But when a business venture brings her to Tampa, Florida, she falls in love with the wrong man. Blinded by infatuation, she divorces her husband and moves with her children to be with HIM, leaving her businesses and celebrity life behind. Quickly, she realizes HE is not the man she thought HE was. Once HE gains control over her, HE becomes cruel and abusive, subjecting her to physical, psychological, and sexual torture. Scared for her life and her children’s safety, she decides to escape. Out on the street with six young children, no money, and nowhere to go, Erika struggles to keep herself and her children safe. It isn’t easy… HE is powerful, threatening, and vindictive. And the biggest problem of all: she still loves HIM.