Marcus kissed my forehead at the door and told Adrian to “take care of her.”
Those were his exact words. He had his suitcase in one hand and his phone already in the other, thumb moving over some work thread he swore couldn’t wait until Monday. The weekend trip had been his idea—three days at the lake house so I could “relax” while he handled the merger in the city. He’d mentioned Adrian almost as an afterthought two nights ago, voice casual while he packed. He’s got the spare key. Figured you’d rather not be out there alone. You two get along. I had nodded because arguing about being left again felt pointless. Now Adrian stood on the porch in a faded black T-shirt and jeans, duffel bag at his feet, watching my husband kiss me like I was a task he’d just checked off.
“Don’t let her get b
