Madelyn
I walked into the house already drained, my shoulders tight from the long day and my head heavy with thoughts I did not want to entertain. All I wanted was a hot bath and sleep. Nothing else. I did not want to have a conversation. I did not want explanations. I did not want to pretend.
I took off my shoes by the door and started up the staircase slowly, one hand on the railing, my bag hanging loosely from my shoulder. The house smelled like food, the house I used to love coming back to, the peace had disappeared. Somewhere in the living room, the television was on low, the sound muted enough to be background noise. Dominic was still outside, I knew that much. I could hear his voice faintly, probably on a call, probably wrapping something up before coming in.
I was halfway up the
