Stanley’s POV
Chloe’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction as she stepped closer to me. “You did the right thing, big brother,” she said, her voice smug and victorious.
I didn’t reply. I couldn’t. My throat felt tight, and my chest burned with something I couldn’t name. Instead of acknowledging her, I turned on my heel and walked toward the stairs. But before I could take a step up, my mother’s voice cut through the air.
“Stanley,” she called, her tone firm and expectant.
I stopped, my grip tightening on the railing. I turned slightly, meeting her scrutinizing gaze.
“What made you change your mind?” she asked, her brows furrowed. “Yesterday, you were still tolerating that woman. What happened?”
I exhaled slowly, masking the storm raging inside me. “What, Mother? You’re not happy about it?”
