If I said yes, I knew what would happen when we reached home.
I remembered the bruises.
The locked bedroom door.
The phone he’d smashed against the kitchen floor because I’d spoken to my sister without telling him.
Then I thought about the stranger above me.
A man I didn’t know.
A man whose name had made Brandon suddenly forget how to breathe.
And I whispered the word I’d been terrified to say for years.
“No.”
Damien didn’t hesitate.
“You heard her.”
Brandon’s voice changed.
“Hannah, stop embarrassing yourself.”
I flinched.
Damien’s tone hardened.
“That’s enough.”
“She’s confused.”
“She’s answered.”
“You don’t understand our marriage.”
“I understand the word no.”
A chair scraped against the floor.
Then Damien spoke to his security men.
“Marcus, escort Mr. Mitchell out of the private corridor. Ask restaurant management to preserve the security footage. If he threatens anyone, contact the police.”
Brandon’s composure finally broke.
