My husband repeatedly sla***ed me in the face over a trivial matter. The next morning, he saw a lavish feast and said, “It’s good that you’ve finally come to your senses!” But he panicked and nearly fainted from shock after seeing the guests seated at the table…

The second slap came so fast my head barely had time to turn before the third landed.

My wedding ring cut the inside of my mouth as I stumbled against the marble counter, tasting blood almost immediately.

All because I bought the wrong coffee.

Daniel stood over me in our enormous designer kitchen, chest rising and falling like a man proud of his own violence. Rain hammered against the tall windows while the chandelier above us sparkled beautifully, pretending terrible things could never happen beneath expensive light.

His mother, Evelyn, sat calmly at the island in a silk robe, stirring tea she hadn’t bothered making herself.

“Look at her,” Evelyn murmured with disgust. “Still staring like some wounded little animal.”