I have to hide her vicious outbursts

EVERY so often my girlfriend punches me.

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I make a throwaway remark or look at her the wrong way and “whack” she floors me.

I never know when it’s coming. We can be at home cooking or in the car on our way to a party - her fist comes out of nowhere.

She very cleverly thumps me in the stomach or the chest so there's never an obvious mark.

My friends and family have no idea that she lashes out because she's very careful to cover her tracks. I'm so ashamed.

How have I ended up like this? My life is OK most of the time. I have a decent job, and we visit nice pubs and go on sunny holidays. We laugh about daft stuff like our dogs misbehaving or the neighbours being annoying.

But I have to be very careful because she has a vicious and swift temper. She's extremely sensitive and paranoid about being disrespected and laughed at.