"My mother was right. Some girl from the countryside is no match for you. Take your little charity case and get out." My husband said the words with a practiced indifference, pointing toward the door of the apartment I had paid for. Our infant son slept in my arms, oblivious. I just smiled, a calm, serene expression that didn't betray the storm raging within me. "Alright," I said, my voice steady. "You asked for this.".... The final, decisive conversation happened after dinner. A thick, almost t