"Richard, could I have some water..." Helen managed to whimper, not missing a beat despite her pain.

"Are you braindead? Why didn't you get her water?" Richard yelled at me after hitting the call button, his eyes dark with rage. He probably would've torn me apart if Helen hadn't been in his arms.

I kept my head down, staying quiet. While it wasn't my fault, I knew I'd played a part in this. My words made Helen feel insecure enough to hurt herself to prove her place in Richard's ...