Joseph reacted as if Melissa had struck a nerve. He jumped to his feet, enraged. The gentle gaze he once held for her was gone, replaced by fury as he slapped her across the face.

Blood trickled from the corner of Melissa’s mouth, and her dark eyes filled with hate, tinged with madness. “Did I hit a nerve, Joseph? Is that why you’re so angry?” she taunted.

“Joseph, you don’t love Catherine. You don’t even love me. You only love yourself!”

“You discarded her because she no longer brought you value. You always said women shouldn’t be so strong, that they should be soft and obedient like me.”

“That’s because...