But I did not regret it, either, and I do not now.

A man who raises his hand to strike you a second time has told you exactly who he is, and I believe a woman is entitled to believe him the first time, and to stop the second blow from landing by whatever means her own two hands can manage.

Arthur lunged toward me, and I locked eyes with him and did not move.

“Touch me,” I said, and my voice was perfectly calm, calmer than I felt, “and you will be explaining all of this to the police before sunrise.”