scanned the headline again, disbelie

whispered, voice trembling. "The media,

orse than I thought. Someone wanted t

nd her. "We need to talk. But not here.

d between them. "I have to protect you and my family. We have to fig

hat the life of one of its most pow

behind them. The apartment's warm light contrast

all living room. "If this leak was deliberate

her arms. "You think i

He ran a hand through his hair, frustration etched on his f

teady despite the f

who's behind this. If Evelyn sees this

t about us? How long can we kee

phone buzzed again with a me

the screen,

was simple a

out of time, Ale

, his jaw tightening. "Thi

out the affair. The kids probably know too. They heard Evelyn

mixed with apprehension crossing her fa

e time, but not much. Once they figu

want to protect them, Alex. Your famil

"I don't want to lose you. But I also can

t pressed down on them

like distant warnings as the clock

itchen table. Jason and Karen sat opposite

der than I ever wanted for us." Her voice cracked slightly, but she kept her eyes on t

silence. "Mom, it's not just hard.

tears. "How could he do

rs. But I promise you, I'm going to do everything I can to protect y

the hurt remained. "Does thi

yet. But right now, what matters is that we stick tog

rom her phone broke the fragile calm. A messag

of it, Evelyn." Her finge

, and even news alerts; her husband's scandal was out, plastered all over the cit

to your rooms. Lock the doors. Stay there until I say otherwise

inal detail, one of the photos showed the unmistakable doorway to Ma

her chest, heart pounding like a war drum. Arriving at Maya's bu

shed. "You! How dare you!" Her hands lashed out, slapping Maya fiercely. Shocked, M

pleading. "Evelyn, please

ing fabric as she screamed accusations. Neighbors peeked from doo

the floor, begging for mercy. "Evelyn, please,

e my husband. You're poison." Alex watched, tor

ng a trembling Maya slumped near the doorway. With one last pierci

of reporters awaited, their cameras

t feel to confront your husb

onsidering

the years you s

ce louder than any answer. Then, with a voice steady but cold, she said

wd, leaving a trail of stunned silence and a city hu