Part 225 (2/2)

her hands, Marianne spoke slowly. ”Are you telling me that Drew

physically abuses you?”

”Yes.”

Slowly, carefully, Marianne let out a breath. Watching Emma's face,

trying to make sense of it all, she sat back on her heels. ”Does he get

drunk, do drugs?”

”No. I've only seen him drunk once-on our wedding night. He

doesn't do drugs at all. He likes to be in control. Drew has to be in

control. I always seem to do something, something stupid to set him

off.”

”Stop it.” Enraged, Marianne sprang up. Her eyes were flooded as she

paced the room. ”You've never done a stupid thing in your life. How

long has this been going on, Emma?”

”The first time was a couple of months after we moved uptown. It wasn't

so bad, he only hit me once that time. And he was so sorry after. He

cried.”

”My heart breaks for him,” Marianne muttered. She stalked to the door

to admit room service. ”Here, don't worry about setting it up.”

She signed the check, handed over the twenty, and got rid of him. First

things first, she decided, and ignoring the food, poured the Grand

Marnier.

”Drink,” Marianne ordered. ”I know you hate the stuff, but we both need

it.”

Emma took two small sips and let the warmth course through her. ”I don't

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