If John had argued with her, she would have lashed out at him. But his docility enraged her even more. Who was this shadow of a man she was living with?

Hannah didn't drink. But she ultimately stopped crying, leaning quietly against her mother until she slowly dozed off. Maggie sat for a while to make sure the child was truly asleep. Then she blew out the candle she had lighted, carried the girl upstairs and put her in bed.

She slipped under the blanket to get what sleep she still could before the work of a new day began. James wasn't back, but just the thought of how he'd toss and turn was enough to put her on edge and prevent her from falling asleep.