**Chapter 32: Unseen Scars**

Unseen Scars Karen's eyes locked onto Ashley's as they sat in the office, discussing the plan for her future. But as she gazed at her, her attention was drawn to something that made her heart skip a beat. A series of bruises marred Ashley's arm, peeking out from beneath the sleeve of her shirt. Karen's expression turned serious, and she felt a surge of concern. "Hey, can I ask you something?" Karen said, her voice gentle but firm. Ashley looked up, a hint of wariness in her eyes. "Of course, what is it?" Karen leaned forward, her eyes fixed on the bruises. "How did you get those?" she asked, her voice low and non-judgmental. Ashley's gaze dropped, and she hesitated for a moment before responding. "Oh, I... I must have bumped into something," she said, her voice laced with a hint of defensiveness. Karen's expression turned skeptical. She had seen enough cases of abuse to recognize the signs. The bruises looked fresh, and Ashley's explanation seemed feeble. "Ashley, I want you to know that I'm here to help you, and I care about your well-being. If you're in danger or need support, please don't hesitate to reach out to me or the authorities." Ashley's eyes flashed with a mix of fear and shame, and for a moment, Karen thought she saw a glimmer of tears. "I'm fine, really," Ashley said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just... I had a bit of an accident." Karen's instincts told her that Ashley was hiding something, and she knew she had to tread carefully. She didn't want to push Ashley further into hiding, but she also couldn't ignore the signs of abuse. "Ashley, I want you to know that I'm here for you, and I'll support you no matter what. If you need to talk about something or need help, my door is always open." As Karen spoke, she made a mental note to document the bruises and to keep a close eye on Ashley. She knew that leaving an abusive relationship was one of the most difficult things a person could do, and she was determined to support Ashley every step of the way. The air in the room seemed to thicken, and the silence between them grew heavier. Ashley's eyes darted around the room, as if searching for an escape route. Karen's heart went out to her, and she knew that she had to be patient and understanding. "I think we've covered everything for today," Karen said finally, breaking the silence. "But I want you to know that I'm here for you, Ashley. Always." Ashley nodded, a small smile on her lips, but Karen could see the fear and uncertainty lurking beneath the surface. As they parted ways, Karen couldn't shake off the feeling that Ashley was in grave danger, and she knew that she had to be vigilant in her support.