There in the dark she made a choice. Not in anger. Not even in desperation. In clarity. She decided the life she feared losing was not worth keeping in its current form.
When dawn crept in through the curtains, she rose before Gavin woke. She tied her hair into a loose knot and moved into the kitchen. She whisked batter until her arms ached, set out fruit, brewed fresh coffee, and arranged everything neatly. She wanted quiet around her. She wanted time. And she wanted Gavin to see something unexpected.
Upstairs, Gavin rubbed his eyes and smiled lazily, confident the house was still his kingdom. He followed the scent of pancakes, his confidence growing with every step. When he entered the dining room, he looked at the table first. Pancakes stacked high. Bacon arranged in curls. Coffee steaming in his favorite mug. Fruit glistening on a white platter. It looked like an apology laid out in edible form.
His expression curled into satisfaction. “Good. Looks like you finally understand.”
He pulled out a chair. Then he froze.
Someone else was seated at the table. Someone he had not invited. Someone he never wanted to meet in such a setting.