"If you can't bear children or keep a man satisfied, don't blame others for stepping up."
Thomas turned to the students, his face a mask of tragic patience. "My wife has severe depression. Her delusions have been getting worse lately. She's hallucinating affairs."
Shock rooted me to the spot.
The man I had loved for twelve years was standing there, telling the world I was insane.
"Even so, violence isn't the answer..." a student muttered.
"Hazel is so pitiful. Just because she's pretty, she gets targeted."
"Mrs. Gilbert, you should apologize."
The accusations rained down. I felt dizzy.
Thomas's gaze was cold, fearless. He knew that if I made a scene, no one would believe the "crazy" housewife over the esteemed Professor.
He let out a long, weary sigh. "Apologize to Hazel, Elise. Do that, and we'll forget this ever happened."
He and his mother each grabbed a shoulder, forcing me down.
They wanted me to kneel.
I looked at Thomas's hands on me.
Years ago, those hands had taken a slap from my father to protect me. He had promised to hold up the sky for me.
Now those same hands were forcing me to my knees to apologize to his mistress, grinding my dignity into the dust.