Chapter 345

Emmeline drew a deep breath, gathering courage like armor around her heart before continuing.

“Why should a woman endure the insults her husband throws at her? Why should she settle for living at the mercy of a violent man just to protect herself from what people might say? Why is the victim always the one blamed?”

Her chest heaved with the effort of controlling her emotions. She looked away momentarily, her gaze dropping to the familiar pattern of the living room rug before rising again to meet her mother’s unyielding stare.

“Don’t think for a second that your pressure will make me change my mind,” Emmeline stated. “I’ve decided to fix my life, and I’m not backing down. I won’t endure for anyone anymore.”

Eleanor’s lips pressed into a thin, bloodless line, her anger simmering just beneath the surface like water about to boil.

The silence stretched between them, taut as a wire about to snap.

“I’ve said my piece,” Eleanor declared with finality. “Y