Marjorie’s face remained calm.
“You have forgotten what matters.”
I looked toward Daniel.
“Stop her.”
His jaw tightened.
“You were really going to leave tomorrow.”
“I am reporting for command.”
“You were going to abandon this marriage for another promotion.”
“I have served for twenty-two years. You knew what this appointment meant.”
Marjorie pushed the clippers across the back of my head.
“You needed correction.”
I fought free and stumbled toward the bathroom mirror.
My hair lay across my nightgown, the pillow, and the carpet.
The woman in the mirror looked exposed.
Uneven patches of dark hair remained above scratches and raw skin.
Daniel appeared behind me.
I saw no remorse in his reflection.
Only satisfaction disguised as concern.
“Hair grows back, Adrienne,” he said.
Then he added:
“Learn to obey.”
My name was Colonel Adrienne Cross.
I had been married to Daniel Mercer for seven years.
Until that night, I believed my marriage was unhappy but recognizable.
