Caroline

“I almost panic then. The pleasure-power feeling flees, replaced by humiliation. It's obvious my husband doesn't recognize his own wife. Yet even in this public place, he can't be bothered to hide his admiration for a woman that he finds attractive.

He used to stare at me so intently, like I was the only thing in the world. Have I changed so much? Or maybe that mesmerizing gaze was just a weapon in his arsenal of appeal. Maybe he never actually saw.

Anger carries me the remaining distance. He is the one who should feel grimy with shame, not me.”
― Rae Carson, The Girl of Fire and Thorns

“Maybe,” he says slowly, as if each word is an effort, “she took advantage of me.”
― Carrie Jones, Entice

“I know you hate me. But don't let that make you stupid.”
― Rae Carson, The Girl of Fire and Thorns

“Astley comes to my side. "Are you well?" "No," I tell him, voice hoarse. "I am not well. I am broken inside. I am broken almost all-the-way deep, and I don't know...I don't know if I can ever be unbroken, let alone well again”.”
― Carrie Jones, Entice