"Maud, how can you be so heartless? Elise's family is trying to force her to marry the thug who assaulted her. All I did was step in to protect her. Can't you show a shred of compassion?"
"No!"
My voice trembled with fury.
"If she's so pitiful, that's between her parents and whoever hurt her! She could have said no! She could have called the cops! Why should I be the one to sacrifice my marriage and my happiness?"
"Unless..."
A sob crept into my voice.
"Unless none of it ever happened. Unless you two were already together, and that's why—"
The slap came before I could finish.
Benjamin stood with his hand raised, face twisted in rage. "Don't you dare talk about her like that! I already told you—Elise and I are only getting married on paper! Why do you insist on twisting everything into something ugly?"
Our shouting drew a crowd. Neighbors from upstairs and downstairs poked their heads out, gathering on the landing.
Someone turned to Elise and Benjamin. "Elise, who is this? What's her relationship with your husband?"
Elise stammered, her voice small. "She's his... ex..."
The look on her face said everything she didn't—wounded, long-suffering, victimized.