I kept my gaze fixed on the plate, my fingers tightening around the glass like it was the only thing keeping me grounded. Inside me, my wolf stirred with fury, urging me to lash out, to scream, to demand the truth. But I didn’t give in. I just swallowed the sob building in my throat.
The scene I had witnessed earlier haunted me. The words I’d overheard—each one soaked in betrayal—did more than hurt. They wrecked me completely.
In that instant, I would have chosen death over this unbearable reality.
My hands were still unsteady as I lowered the glass and approached the table. My eyes momentarily locked on the knife. A sharp, dark thought crossed my mind—I could stab him, force him to feel just a fraction of the torment he and Charlene had caused me.
But I didn’t.
Instead, I picked up the fork, cutting into the beef with trembling hands as hot tears finally escaped, sliding down my face without restraint.
Phyllis noticed immediately. “Louise, what’s wrong? Why are you crying?”
He reached out, his warm hands resting gently on my shoulders, lifting my chin until our eyes met. “Did something happen? What’s going on?”