Natalie's POV
Daniel was waiting for me when I got home.
No candles this time. No wine, no dinner on the stove. He sat at the kitchen island in his work shirt with his phone face-down beside him, and the stillness was worse than any performance. Noah was already asleep down the hall, worn out from a day at his aunt's, which meant Daniel had made sure the room was clear before I walked in.
"You're home early," I said.
"I wanted to be here when you got back."
"Why?" I set my bag on the counter. "What happened today, Daniel?"
Something shifted behind his eyes, fast, there and gone.
"Nothing happened. I just wanted to be here."
I let the silence sit a moment, giving him room to fill it honestly if he meant to. He didn't take it.
"HR called Marcus today," I said, watching him carefully
