I’ve spent years going over and over my relationship with Mihai in my head, questioning myself, and torturing myself with what ifs. What if I’d never befriended him in the first place? What if I’d refused a lift home that night? What if I’d been strong enough to go to the police sooner? But no amount of questioning every part of our relationship changes what he is and what he did to me.
I first met Mihai in August 2017, when he started working at the care home where I was a care coordinator. He was 30 – 10 years my senior but he was so friendly and made an effort to get to know me, always making conversation in the staff room. I still lived at home with my mum, Karen, then 46, and was quite shy with not very much confidence. Over the years, I’d struggled with depression, I didn’t have many friends and had never had a boyfriend, so it felt nice that someone was being so good to me. Mihai made me laugh and I found myself feeling more confident around him, making jokes back.
From Romania, he had a son from a previous relationship and he spoke so lovingly of him. He became a good friend, giving me lifts to and from work, and I really enjoyed his company.
Then one day in February 2018, Mihai was dropping me home, but instead, he stopped outside a hotel a few miles from where I lived.
I asked him why we’d stopped there and he smiled and told me to trust him. Perhaps I was naive, but Mihai was my friend and I had no reason not to, so I followed him inside, assuming that perhaps he was just staying there and he’d forgotten to mention it. I followed him to a hotel room, and within minutes of closing the door, the man I’d come to like and trust was forcing me to undress before pinning down my arms on the bed.
Denne historien er fra January 01, 2024-utgaven av WOMAN - UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra January 01, 2024-utgaven av WOMAN - UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Lizzie's LONG LIST
No one in her family realised just how much she did at Christmas-but things would be different this year
SEX-MAS Is Our favourite season!
Slipping into a party dress and heels and heading out for festive drinks with your other half is always a treat, isn't it?
Life is different - BUT STILL *MAGICAL
After losing two limbs, Sarah de Lagarde cherishes every moment
We have chocolates for BREAKFAS
TV cooking stars John Torode and Lisa Faulkner reveal their blended family Christmas plans and why you should ask guests to bring a plate of food
It's time to CELEBRATE
After a tough few months, Ruth Langsford is ready to embrace her favourite time of year
T'LL BE DRUNK by 11.30am'
Chef and TV personality Gino D'Acampo on how to make Christmas run smoothly, his favourite tipple and why not to worry if it all goes wrong!
'Even the PETS HAVE STOCKINGS'
The star on all things Christmas and why she won't be making a New Year's resolution
LONELY HARRY wants to come home
After six years away, the prince is keen to spend Christmas in the UK, writes royal biographer Emily Andrews
Being blind won't stop me LIVING MY DREAM
When Sassy Wyatt lost her sight, she vowed to have a whole world of adventures
I gave birth to my own GRANDDAUGHTER
Kristi Schmidt was desperate to give her daughter the baby she longed for