My husband hi:t me at dinner. No wa:rning, just silence. One second I was laughing at my brother-in-law’s joke… The next, my head sna:pped sideways. No one moved. Then his mother leaned in and whispered, “I stayed… don’t be me.”

I stood slowly from my chair.

Richard’s hand slipped away.

“I’ll wash my face,” I said quietly.

His smile returned immediately.

He thought obedience sounded soft.

Mine sounded like high heels crossing marble floors like a countdown.

Inside the powder room, I locked the door and stared at the red mark spreading across my cheek.

Then I unlocked my phone.

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