unpaid staff, Diane laughed.
“You married into this family,” she said. “You should learn to be useful.”
I looked at Eric. “Either they respect me in this house, or they leave.”
His chair scraped backward.
The slap came quickly.
“Watch your mouth!” he snapped.
The room went silent.
Madison’s eyes widened, then she smirked. Diane folded her arms as though a difficult child had finally been disciplined.
I touched my cheek once.
Then I nodded.
“Okay,” I said.
Eric almost seemed disappointed that I didn’t cry.
That night, while he
