Absolution, paperback/regina buttner

Jeanie thinks she was to blame for the sexual assault she suffered in college--and shed do anything to keep her old-school Catholic family from finding out about the resulting pregnancy, as well as what she did to conceal it.

Years have passed since the assault, and Jeanies husband, Greg, still thinks shes the seemingly innocent girl he married in a rush to spite his controlling mother.

Its the height of the Seattle dot-com boom, and hes too busy cashing in his stock options to pay attention to his wife.

He isnt aware of Jeanies lingering shame and guilt, or that she married him in the desperate hope that devoting herself to marriage and motherhood would somehow absolve her from the sins in her past.

Their hidden agendas collide when Greg discovers evidence of Jeanies long-ago pregnancy.

As she confesses the details of that drunken night with her married professor, Gregs pristine image of her is blown.

His shock deepens into violent fury, and Jeanie realizes she needs to leave him--but Greg wont let her go.

Hes up for a big promotion, and hes not about to let her ruin his reputation by walking out on him.

Hell resort to blackmail if necessary.

Or worse.