KATHERINE
My heart was pounding so hard I thought it would explode. I could hear it in my ears, like thump-thump-thump, and I kept taking deep breaths, but it wasn’t helping. Rowan was standing there, fist raised, ready to hit Alex. I froze for a second. My brain didn’t work. I didn’t know what to do.
“No! Stop!” I yelled. My voice was loud and shaky.
Rowan froze mid-motion. His eyes flicked to me, confused. His fists were clenched so tight his knuckles were white. “Katherine…?” he started, his voice low, warning-like.
“I said stop!” I shouted again, my chest heaving. “You’re not hitting him. I’ll handle it. Go get the car ready, now!”
Rowan frowned. His jaw tightened. I could see the anger in his eyes, but also the hesitation. Finally, after a long pause, he muttered, “Be careful.”
