Mara looked at Mrs Luciana and took a breath.
“A few days ago Daniel brought a woman to our home,” she said. “Her name is Vivienne. He told me her husband had accused her of cheating and thrown her out. He said she had nowhere to go and needed somewhere to stay temporarily.”
Mrs Luciana listened without interrupting.
“I refused,” Mara said. “I told him I was not comfortable with another woman living under our roof. He told me I was being unreasonable. That I had no compassion. That she was simply a friend in need.” She paused. “We argued. It escalated.”
“How far did it escalate?” Mrs Luciana asked carefully.
Mara met her eyes.
“He hit me,” she said simply.
Mrs Luciana went very still.
“In front of her?” she asked.
“Yes,” Mara said. “And she watched without flinching. Which told me
