I sat up, my voice steady but pained. "Do you really think I don’t understand? There are other ways to secure this connection. Isn’t her father your godfather? Isn’t that enough?"
"It’s not enough," he said sternly. "You know the rules, Veronica. We need more reassurance."
I smiled sadly, shaking my head. "Or maybe this isn’t about reassurance. Maybe it’s about her. After all this time, do you still—"
He slapped me before I could finish. "Stop acting like a jealous wife! I could’ve kept this from you, spared you the pain, but I was honest because that’s what a husband should do! And now you’re making me the bad guy?"
I touched my stinging cheek, shaking. "You hit me?"
He grabbed his coat, clearly ready to leave. "Where are you going?" I asked, following him to the door. "We’re not done talking. Are you going to see her?"
He pulled away from me. "Didn’t I choose you after all these years?"
"W-what do you mean?"
He didn't answer, just gave me a sneer. Dread washed over me as I reached for him, but he pushed me away, harder this time. I stumbled onto the edge of the cabinet, the sharp pain jolting through me.