Louise swatted Bill's chest with a look of mock displeasure.
Bill just chuckled, utterly unconcerned.
"Who cares? Julian Gilbert is a complete idiot."
"Raised my son for five years and still thinks he's father of the year."
His eyes gleamed with satisfaction as he spoke.
"Come on, babe. I can't wait any longer."
He pulled Louise beneath him—
My grip on the door handle turned white-knuckled.
I didn't move. Didn't breathe. Just stood there, frozen, hand locked around the handle.
Raised my son for five years.
The words replayed in my skull, over and over, like a serrated blade twisting deeper into my chest with every repetition.
They were so lost in each other that neither one noticed me standing in the doorway.
Not until a sharp crack split the air—the door handle snapping clean off in my fist.
Louise and Bill froze mid-motion. Both heads turned toward the door in unison.
The moment Louise saw me standing there, her pupils contracted to pinpoints.
"H-honey?"
The flush hadn't faded from her face. Her eyes flickered with the unmistakable panic of someone caught in the act.
The lecherous grin on Bill's face turned to stone.