Finally, the last guest departed, and the house was silent once more. Thomas approached me cautiously, uncertainty etched into his features. “We need to talk,” he said softly, desperation lacing his voice.

I nodded, leading him into the kitchen, away from Hazel’s curious ears. “What happened, Thomas?” I asked, my voice breaking despite my efforts to stay calm.

He sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. “It wasn’t what it looked like, I swear. Charlotte and I were going over some work files, and Hazel must have misunderstood.”