“Don’t,” Madame Fleury snapped. “Don’t you dare ask why they don’t leave. Don’t you dare judge these women for staying.” “But it’s a legitimate question, isn’t it?” He looked from Madame Fleury to Gamache. “There’s an implied criticism,” said Madame Fleury. “That these women are weak or stupid.” “I never said that.” “No, but you think that. Why don’t they leave? Because they’ve been conditioned to believe it’s their fault. Because they’ve been isolated. They have no money and no support. Because they have a shred of hope or delusion. Because they actually love the guy. Because they’re stuck.
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