The door opened. Robert walked in. Face bruised. Lip split. Eye swelling. Blood dried on his collar.

Emma gasped. Dropped her paintbrush. Ran to him.

"What happened?" Her hands flew to his face. Gentle. Careful. Terrified. "Robert. Oh god. What happened?"

"Daniel." Robert said. Simple. Exhausted. "He came to my office. Assaulted me. We fought."

Emma's world tilted. Spun. Stopped.

"He what?" Her voice came out ...