"The battered wife"

s persp

It seems real, but maybe it's just a dream. Yes, it must be a dream. Markus, t

m to find him, only to face the painful truth that he never loved me. I sighed, realizing I couldn't

a servant explained. I wiped my tears, unable to face them, my eyes surely swollen. I had fallen as

hink I married you out of love, you're mistaken. I used you to pa

as I remembered

bered it again... until now

my eyes and was slightly startled; I f

" I tried to compose myself, adjusting my speech

ted me to prepare breakfast for you be

? I felt a certain happiness, but it quickly faded. What if it'

before t

are you leaving?" I couldn't help but turn t

ienda. We'll be working there from now on. I tho

use. I didn't want them to suspect that my husband

ask later; maybe he was just overwhelmed

ining area, and my attenti

detail of his face, from his long, arched eyebrows to his pointed nos

ntle in that painting, but last night

of the painting, where the arti

s Sap

" Rita interrupted my thoughts.

aking my eyes off the pa

wspaper, and I grab

cked by a picture of my husband. He was in a business suit, pretending to sit

RER MUST B

't know why. I dropped the cup,

I winced

aimed, concerned,

ied with teary eyes,

the pain in my heart. Although there was no name mentioned, I had