My mother had come to visit from the village, but my mother-in-law suddenly said: “Go to the kitchen and have your dinner”—she was stunned by what I did next.

Back home, I packed my husband’s and mother-in-law’s belongings into suitcases, left them in the courtyard, and changed the locks. I sent Vikram one final message:

“If you have any self-respect, take your things. Your mother is gone, and so am I.”

I didn’t wait for his reply. Silence had been his answer all along.

Months later I heard whispers of their downfall.

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