I wanted to believe him.
But I wasn’t as unaware as he assumed.
I had begun noticing the warning signs.
And I had quietly taken steps to protect myself.
The morning after our wedding, those precautions became more important than I ever imagined.
***
We were staying at the Harrington family estate, an enormous mansion filled with marble floors, antique furniture, and expensive decorations.
At breakfast, Daniel sat beside his parents, Charles and Margaret.
His younger brother Ethan and two relatives were also present.
I was preparing breakfast in the kitchen, still wearing the silk robe Margaret had given me the night before.
The oven needed a few additional minutes.
Daniel checked his gold watch.
“Where’s breakfast?”
“Almost ready,” I replied. “The oven is taking a little longer—”
I never finished the sentence.
His hand struck my cheek.
The sound echoed through the dining room.
For two seconds, nobody moved.
