“Do you feel safe with your husband?” she asked.
The question should have been complicated.
It was not.
“No,” I said.
The room changed around that word.
Dana paused.
Dr. Sato’s face softened with sadness but not surprise.
Eli looked away, giving me privacy he did not need to announce.
Maribel nodded once and wrote something down.
“Has he threatened you before?”
I looked at Lily.
Her eyelids fluttered. Her mouth made tiny movements. She had no idea that her entire life was already reshaping mine.
“Not like that,” I said. “Not directly.”
“Indirectly?”
I almost said no.
Then memories rose.
Ryan saying, Be careful, Claire. People might think you’re unstable.
Ryan saying, Do you know how embarrassing you sound when you get emotional?
Ryan saying, You don’t understand how money works. Let me handle it.
Ryan saying, My career pays for your comfort.
Ryan saying, If you make me choose between work and drama, you won’t like the answer.
