I didn't believe a word he said. He was a liar, a manipulator. But the fear he instilled in me was real. It was the same fear I had lived with my entire life.
"I'm not doing this," I said, my voice shaking but firm. "All my life, all I’ve ever done was abide my your rules and let you control me. I’m done living in the shadow of your selfish desires. This marriage is my only chance of freedom from you and this family and I will not ruin it."
"You ungrateful b***h!" he roared, and then he did something I didn't expect.
He reached across the desk and slapped me hard across the face.
The force of the blow sent me stumbling back, my ears ringing. I could feel a bruise already forming on my cheek. I was in shock.
He had never hit me before. He had threatened me, belittled me, made me feel w
