Judy stood where she was long after Vanessa’s voice faded away.
The living room felt too big.
Too quiet.
Too cold.
Vanessa and her friend were gone, but their words were still hanging in the air like smoke that refused to disappear.
Judy lowered her eyes slowly.
Her hands were shaking.
She did not understand why Vanessa hated her so much.
She had done nothing wrong.
She did not ask for this marriage.
She did not ask for this life.
Yet here she was, standing in a house that did not feel like home.
Behind her, David stood still.
His jaw was tight.
His fists were clenched.
He hated what just happened.
He hated that Vanessa crossed the line.
He hated that Judy looked small and hurt.
Most of all, he hated that he did not stop it earlier.
The silence between th
