“I needed some time, Tiffany,” I said, leaning against the kitchen counter. “Time to think about what’s important.”

“I’m sorry,” she said, her voice cracking. “I didn’t mean for things to get so out of hand. Harry…he can be a lot, but I never wanted it to come to this.”

Her apology was unexpected, and for a moment, I didn’t know how to respond. “I know you didn’t, sweetheart. But I also need you to understand that respect is a two-way street. I can’t live in a place where I’m treated like a servant.”