They protested, of course, but I was unyielding. With Mark’s quiet support, they left, a whirlwind of hurried apologies and promises that rang hollow in the emptiness they left behind.

As the door shut, the weight of the day settled onto my shoulders. There would be time to untangle the mess of my marriage and deal with the betrayal of a brother. But for now, my focus was on Leo, on rebuilding the sense of safety and trust shattered by the day’s events. I knew that together, we would find a way forward.