Far from the battles Soren and Eve were fighting in silence, another war was unfolding—louder, messier, and soaked in regret.

By morning, the house Julian shared with Serena no longer felt like a home. It felt like a courtroom without rules, where everyone spoke at once and no one listened.

The argument that had simmered the day before did not cool with daylight.

It worsened.

It sharpened.

It grew teeth.

Julian stood in the center of the room, hands clenched at his sides, his face drawn ...