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.”

Nobody moved.

Not Daniel.

Not his wife.

Not the cousins staring at their plates.

Not my father-in-law, who only cleared his throat like violence was an uncomfortable smell.

Richard stood over me breathing heavily, his navy suit still perfect, his wedding ring shining beneath the lights.

“You embarrassed me,” he said coldly.

I touched my cheek carefully.

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