Ethan screamed.
“Papa, stop! Please don’t hurt Mama!”
Dominic turned his head slowly, his voice dropping into something cold and vicious.
“Be quiet,” he said. “If you don’t shut your mouth, I’ll throw you to the snakes.”
My heart froze.
Ethan went deathly pale, his small body trembling as he pressed into me. Snakes had always terrified him—ever since Asher shoved a python into his schoolbag and it bit his arm. I remembered the blood, his screams, and Dominic brushing it off, calling him weak. He had never once protected him.
Now Ethan buried his face against me, shaking so violently it felt like my chest was being torn open.
At first, Dominic’s business partners shifted awkwardly. Then one of them laughed. Another joined in. Soon the room was filled with cruel amusement.
“The jealous wife really doesn’t know her place.”
“Dominic, you need to train her better.”
Marina hid behind Dominic’s arm, clutching his sleeve like a frightened dove.
“Please,” she murmured softly. “Don’t punish her too harshly. It’s my fault… she’s just envious.”
Her false mercy only fed his rage.
His palm struck my face again. The sting was blinding, my ears ringing.
“Apologize to Marina. Now.”