Who is Merit Mayes Iverson Paradise from Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons and what is their importance?

Merit is the youngest of the housewives and the most innocent. She doesn't have a college degree and at first appears to be less than intelligent. Merit, however, proves to be as intelligent, if not more intelligent, than the other book club members. Married to a doctor, Merit was severely abused as a child and continues to be abused as a wife. He husband belittling and physically violent. Merit hides this for years until the day her husband beats her publicly. On this day, the other housewives break into her home and rescue her from her husband, protecting her until a divorce can be secured.