#Chapter 17: Back In Your Element

“Will he bring you, Esther, as his wife? Or maybe he’ll bring that other woman again?” “That’s none of your business, Miles,” I snap. He’s baiting my anger, I know that, probably trying to punish me for my many lies this evening. I shouldn’t show him how easy he can hurt me with just a few simple words. But after the fight with Garnar and Thea this evening, I’m too tired to pretend I’m not just a little bit broken over all that’s happened. After ten years of marriage, even if the love is gone, I still deserve respect. Garnar and Thea hold none of that for me. And neither, it seems, does Miles. Miles immediately sees this change in me. His face shifts, softening. “Esther…” I wave away whatever he’s going to say. I don’t want to hear it. The last thing I want to do right now is fight more. “I want to go home,” I say. But where is home anymore? If I go to the house, Garnar will make me sleep in the car in the garage. I can’t go to my father’s house without rousing suspicion. I’m not