Chapter 21
Hope could feel it—the shift in Stephen's mood was unmistakable as they drove home from the wedding. He had grown quiet, tense, and distant, his jaw clenched as he stared out at the road ahead. She turned to him gently. “Stephen, did something happen?” “Nothing,” he replied flatly, eyes fixed on the street. But she knew better. When they arrived home, he went straight to the kitchen and pulled out a bottle of wine from the cabinet. Without a word, he poured himself a glass and downed it in one go. Then another. Hope watched from the doorway, worry growing in her chest. This wasn’t like him. She walked toward him and gently took the glass from his hand. “Stephen,” she said quietly. “You don’t act like this unless something happened. Please… tell me what it is.” Stephen looked at her
- Writer
