"Are you still?"
"Yes. Always." Her teeth clenched. "Go on, hit me, if you want to. I love him. Love him always. Every minute. As I did. Do you hear? I love him."
She opened her eyes and shivered. He was going to kill her. He tore at her clothes, beating her with his fists until her head rattled on her neck.
"I'll fix your love for him," Brander whispered. The pain of his blows and shakings were making her dizzy.
"Frank ... dear, please...."
"Do you love him?"
"Yes."
She tried to bury her head in her arms, but he untwisted her gesture. His hands, striking and clawing at her, made her scream. A mist—he had seized her.
"Frank! Frank!"
"Do you love him now?"