CHAPTER 2 — The Knock at the Door
CHAPTER 2 — The Knock at the Door
Exactly fourteen minutes later...
Three police officers knocked on the apartment door.
Daniel opened it with exaggerated confidence.
"Officers, thank goodness. My wife is causing a disturbance."
The senior officer looked past him.
"Who placed the emergency call?"
"I did," I answered calmly.
Vivian folded her arms.
"There you are. Tell them you're refusing to leave our home."
The officer turned to me.
"Ma'am, can you explain the situation?"
I gently moved my hair away from my face.
The red handprint across my cheek was impossible to miss.
The officer's expression immediately changed.
"Who did this?"
Daniel hesitated.
"I... we had an argument."
"I asked who hit you."
Silence.
Finally, I answered.
"My husband."
One officer began taking photographs of my injuries while another separated Daniel and Vivian into the living room.
Vivian scoffed.
"Oh, don't be dramatic. Married couples fight."
The senior officer replied without raising his voice.
"Assault is a criminal matter, regardless of marital status."
May you like
For the first time that evening...
Vivian stopped smiling.
