I woke up to the sound of rustling sheets and someone’s sharp hiss of pain

For a second, I thought maybe I was dreaming. The room was still dim, the early morning light was barely slipping through the heavy curtains. But then I heard it again—the sound of fabric shifting, and a familiar muffled curse.

I shot up so fast I nearly got whiplash.

“Mark?” My voice was still heavy with sleep……and worry.

He was sitting up in bed, his back against the headboard, his jaw clenched so tight ...