“And he pressed on the surgical area after you left.”
His face went blank.
Rachel approached slowly.
“When I left this house, that dressing was clean.”
Daniel started talking.
Nausea.
Recovery.
Pain medication.
Stress.
How hard everything had been for both of us.
Rachel let him finish.
Then she asked me:
“Emily, do you want me to stay?”
“Yes.”
Daniel’s jaw tightened.
“Do you feel safe being alone with your husband?”
“No.”
One word.
The first honest one I had said about Daniel in months.
I reached for Rachel’s arm and tried to stand.
Pain stopped me halfway.
She offered support but waited until I chose to take it.
I did.
Daniel stepped toward us.
Then moved directly in front of the door.
“This has gone way too far.”
Rachel straightened.
“Daniel, please step aside.”
“You’re not taking my wife anywhere.”
“I didn’t say I was.”
