en'

d in. My mind was a chaotic storm of frustration and guilt, but I shoved it all

ng in the living room. She looked up the moment I walked i

to you," she s

ep, exhaling impatiently.

I knew she'd been rehearsi

t a di

nd, I wasn't sure if I'd heard her right. But then, the weig

ening as I looked at her. A laugh escaped

ing the stairs one step at a t

ance flashing in her eyes. "Ye

before she could step back. My grip was firm but

low and steady. "You don't get to make that de

mbling with fury. "Why are you do

lenched my jaw, the anger I'd been holding in all day spilling out. "Bec

ed, tears brimming in her eyes

onding, I acted on instinct. My hand moved before I could

p. She stumbled back, one hand flying to h

s a wave of regret crashe

ze never wavered. She looked at me as if seein

ything, but no words came. So I did the only thing I could-I turned

ach step I took felt heavier, like the weight of what I'd just

, needing some space-some air. The anger that had been build

d it gotten this bad, this quickly? I'd always told myself I could handle everything, that I

't fix it. Not yet. Not when everything was so messed up. Not when I sti

r voice had been so firm, so resolute. And yet, deep down,

aping this. Ther

had to fix things. I had to make her see reason. She couldn't

. The way I'd been with her. The pain in her eyes. The slap-God, what h

on herself. I shouldn

for what she's done. Thi

o any woman before. She's t

dding when I noticed but I know the consequence

I feel for her. I can't stand looking at

me-telling me she was my wife, that she was Clara. What did she

e. I'll make sure she regre

my room and made

e I had left her. The moment she noticed me

n her eyes. That

ld know