Leonardo
I sit in the chair beside her bed and watch her breathe.
My wife.
The word tastes strange and sharp in my mouth, but it fits. It settles somewhere in my chest and refuses to leave. She’s peacefully asleep and small beneath the thin hospital blanket. For a second, I let myself pretend she chose this. That she wanted this marriage.
Of course she doesn’t. I know that she hates me right now. She’ll wake and spit fire at me for what I did. She’ll call me everything ugly and I’ll deserve it. Still, I’d do it all again. I couldn’t risk her being used as a weapon because some rotten man thought he owned and could treat her anyhow just because he’s her father. As long as she carries my name on her skin, no one will touch her without answering to me.
I lean forward and study the mark
