Amber Heard thought Johnny Depp would "change".
Amber Heard
The 'Magic Mike XXL' star - who alleged the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' actor had verbally and physically abused her during their 15-month marriage - reportedly chose not to leave the actor sooner as she believed time and time again that it would be the "last time" he'd do anything.
A close friend of Amber's said: "[During one argument, she] thought she was going to die. She didn't leave him earlier, because, as with most domestic violence cases, these things start small - you believe the person will change. They'll cry and plead and say this is the last time."
And the pal went on to claim that Johnny, 52, organised for his former partner Vanessa Paradis and his daughter Lily-Rose Depp to go on the record to defend him.
The source added to the New York Post's Page Six column: "It's so transparent. He's doing all he can to discredit Amber by getting others to go on the record. It's shocking that he would do this, when there are actual witnesses and photos to prove his abuse towards Amber."
Meanwhile, the 30-year-old actress was previously granted a restraining order against Johnny after she claimed she is "living in fear" of him.
In a statement handed to the court, Amber wrote: "During the entirety of our relationship, Johnny has been verbally and physically abusive to me. I endured excessive emotional, verbal and physical abuse from Johnny, which has included angry, hostile, humiliating and threatening assaults to me whenever I questioned his authority or disagreed with him. I live in fear that Johnny will return to [our house] unannounced to terrorise me, physically and emotionally."
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