The next morning, Bethany was already in the kitchen cooking breakfast for Colin. 


The smell of pancakes filled the air. Colin sat at the table, tapping at his tablet while nibbling on fruit.


Tevin woke up on the small couch by the window, his back sore and heavy with regret. He made the bed neatly, straightened the room, and took a quick shower. By the time he walked into the kitchen in his robe and slippers, Bethany was plating food.


“Good morning,” she said quietly.


Tevin blinked, surprised she was even speaking to him.


“Morning, beautiful. How did you sleep?”


“It was okay,” Bethany said flatly. She handed him a plate, then placed one in front of Colin. The boy sat his tablet up against a cup and began to eat, half-watching his cartoon.


Bethany grabbed her own plate and a glass of juice, then went back to the bedroom. She turned on the TV and sat cross-legged on the bed, pushing her food around with a fork.


Tevin settled in the living room, turned on the television, and began eating in silence.


Bethany’s chest ached. She was hurt, devastated—but she refused to let Colin see the kind of dysfunction she’d grown up with. She wanted Tevin gone. Yet despite everything, her heart still loved him.


Her thoughts began to spiral...


"Could we make the money back?

I’d have to take on more ideas... maybe freelance again.

What about the accounts? I need my own, one he can’t touch.

Maybe he needs rehab. Maybe I should just divorce him.

Maybe... maybe we can fix it."


At that exact thought, the lights flickered—then went out.


Bethany froze. “What’s going on?” she called, stepping into the living room.


Tevin looked up, shame written all over his face. “They turned off the power. I didn’t have the money to pay it.”


Bethany closed her eyes, pressing her fists against her thighs to keep from exploding. After a long breath, she turned and walked back to the bedroom.


She grabbed her phone and called her father. He answered on the first ring.


“Hey, Beth. What’s wrong?”


“Daddy... do you think Colin and I can stay there a few days?”


Duck’s voice sharpened. “What about Tee? What did he do this time?”


“It’s a long story,” Bethany said softly.


“Alright,” Duck said.


“Come on. I’ll have Nancy fix something and clean up the guest room. See you soon.”


“Okay,” Bethany whispered, hanging up.


She went to Colin’s room and packed his suitcase, laying out clothes for the day.


Then she returned to the bedroom and started folding her own.


Tevin stepped into the doorway, eyes wide. “You’re leaving?”


Bethany didn’t look up. “Don’t ask stupid questions.”