LOVE BEHIND THE LIES

Chapter Four

Martin stood by the doorway Waiting His posture revealed nothing but only a desperate lion. His eyes revealed everything. "Where were you?" Selene didn't flinch. Years of experience taught her that fear only encouraged him. "I went out." The slap arrived instantly. Her head snapped sideways. Pain exploded across her cheek. She tasted blood But remained standing. Martin slowly lowered his hand. "Try again." Selene turned back toward him. Calm. Controlled and Cold. "I went to see my mother." For several seconds Martin simply stared. Then something unexpected happened. He smiled but Not warmly, Never warmly. But with satisfaction. "So." He stepped closer. "You missed her." Selene remained silent. Martin placed a hand on her shoulder. "You should have told me." The concern sounded fake. Because it was. Yet a younger version of Selene might have believed it. The version Kenneth met in the hospital no longer did.

Martin gently pulled her into an embrace. "I understand." His voice softened. "I know how difficult this has been for you." Selene stood motionless. Kenneth's final words echoed through her mind. Never trust Martin. Martin continued. "You only have me." The words sounded familiar. Too familiar. Almost rehearsed. "I will always be here for you." Selene closed her eyes briefly. For nineteen years she had believed those words. Tonight they felt different. Wrong. Like a puzzle piece that no longer fit Eventually she stepped away. "I'm tired." Martin nodded. "Go rest." She walked past him Without another word. Martin watched her disappear upstairs. His smile vanished immediately. Something was changing And he intended to discover exactly what. The following morning, Alice woke up later than she intended. Sunlight already filled the room. She glanced at the clock. 10:07 AM. Too late. Kenneth used to tease her whenever she overslept. The memory hurt.

For several seconds she remained staring at the ceiling. Then slowly forced herself out of bed. The house felt unusually quiet. That alone should have warned her. Halfway down the staircase she froze. A man sat comfortably in Kenneth's chair Holding a cup of coffee Like he owned the house. Martin. Alice's entire body tensed. The coffee cup slipped from her hand and shattered against the floor. Martin looked up and Smiled. "Good morning." The smile only made her angrier. "What are you doing here?" Martin crossed one leg over the other. "This used to be my house too." "No." Alice's voice sharpened. "It never was." Martin chuckled. "You always were dramatic." Alice descended the remaining stairs. Every step increased her anger. Every step reminded her of Kenneth. The chair. The table. The room.

Everything Martin was polluting just by being there. "You need to leave." Martin ignored her. Instead he asked quietly, "What about Selene?" Alice's expression hardened immediately. "I don't care about the daughter you raised." Martin nodded slowly. Then pulled out his phone And pressed a button. "Selene." a voice answered immediately. "Yes, Dad." Alice’s blood immediately stopped moving around her. Martin smiled "She heard every word." Then he ended the call. Alice stared at him in horror And for this time, she’s no longer trying to figure out what caused her husband’s death. She realized Martin hadn't come for conversation. He came for war