The Steering Wheel

By: Caroline Anne Butt

Narrated by: Sarah Armanious

It's the 1970s and Anne thought a fresh start in a northern town would be the adventure of a lifetime. But her husband, Thomas, has other plans. While he's busy with his career, Anne struggles to adapt to a new culture, a growing family, and a marriage that seems to be unravelling in ways she doesn't understand. As the years pass, Anne finds herself tangled in an emotional web she can't escape—a web of coercive control that, at the time, didn't have a name.

Her world becomes a constant balancing act: love and fear, joy and dread, commitment and silence. Each day, she wonders if she's doing the right thing, as Thomas's emotional manipulation grows more extreme, and his terrifying retribution threatens her at every turn. With shame weighing her down and her children's safety in the balance, Anne is trapped in a cycle of confusion and guilt.

But when Thomas crosses a line, Anne is faced with an impossible choice: stay or leave? The question becomes a matter of survival.

This raw, compelling story of marriage, manipulation, and the quiet courage it takes to break free from an abusive relationship will resonate with anyone who has ever faced the cost of loving someone who isn't what they seem.

©2025 Caroline Anne Butt (P)2025 Caroline Anne Butt