"Then there's nothing to discuss," he snapped. Her words were unfair — he never wanted to punish her, even in the worst moments — but the conversation so far had left him feeling raw enough that he didn't bother to argue with her. Why take the trouble, when she didn't believe he cared for her anyway? She thought he was running around with half a dozen mistresses, and neither his actions nor his words would dissuade her. Why bother?

"Let's go." At least once they arrived he'd have a drink in his hand to distract himself — and someone other than her to talk to.

---