After my husband ʜɪᴛ me, I went to bed without saying a word. The next morning, he woke up to the smell of pancakes and saw the table filled with delicious food. He said, “Good, you finally understand.” But when he saw the person sitting at the table, his expression changed instantly…

Patrick Alden lifted his head. His gaze was steady, cool, and quiet. “Good morning, Gavin.”

Gavin’s breath caught. His posture stiffened. Patrick was Tessa’s older brother, a man Gavin had avoided for years because Patrick had once warned him with a clarity that carved itself into memory. If you ever hurt her, I will know. And we will talk.

That talk had finally arrived.

Tessa stepped into the room carrying another plate. She set it down gently and took a seat at the end of the table. There was no tremor in her hands. No flinch in her shoulders. Gavin eyed her, confused by her stillness.

“Sit down, Gavin,” she said. Her voice was calm. Not soft in fear. Soft in certainty.

Gavin remained standing. “Tessa, whatever your brother thinks you told him, you exaggerated. You always do.”

Patrick’s eyebrow rose slightly. “She told me nothing at all about last night. I saw the bruise before she said a word.”

Gavin clenched his jaw. “This is our private matter.”

Tessa shook her head. “It stopped being private the moment you made me afraid to sleep in my own house.”