My cheek throbbed with pain, but I forced myself to hold back the tears.
I tried to defend myself, but my voice was calm but painful. "I didn't touch her."
But Adrian didn't hear a word I said. He didn't even glance at the blood pouring from my hand. Instead, he scooped Clara into his arms before everyone and stormed out of the banquet hall.
He threw one last cold remark over his shoulder as he walked away. "If anything happens to Clara, Emily, I will never forgive you."
I laughed bitterly. This is what they mean, then.
Adrian's treatment of me was evident to everyone in the room, yet no one intervened when he stated that laughing is the only option available to those who are truly silent.
I had no choice but to call 911 and wait for the ambulance alone.
…
On the way to the hospital, my phone rang. It was Sally, my best friend.
"Emily, I heard what happened at the company. Are you okay?"
The question broke me, and my tears suddenly poured out.
My voice cracked as I finally let it all out. "Sally, I'm going to divorce Adrian."