I didn’t fight back.
I said nothing, as if I agreed with everything he said.
"My daughter has always been well-behaved and sensible," Miriam, my future mother-in-law, said, her voice shaking with emotion. "She chose you after much thought. How could you let her suffer like this?"
Tears streamed down her face as her anger became so fierce that she could barely speak. When she turned and saw her daughter lying on the bed, lost in thought, her fury only intensified.
She stepped forward and slapped me twice across the face.
"Anthony, if you’re a man," Miriam screamed, "then find the bastard who raped my daughter!"
Seeing her tear-streaked face, I gently shook my head.
"I want to break off the engagement."
Suddenly, Zeke grabbed me by the throat, his grip tightening.
“You piece of trash!” he roared. “You’re going to abandon my sister?”
Miriam pointed a trembling finger at me.
"Chelsea always said she was lucky," she said, sobbing. "She found the man who loved her most, outside of her family. Is this how you love her?"