Moonlight pierced through the window, its cold brilliance illuminating the room. Madelyn, clad in her nightgown, descended the stairs into the living room. Rarely prone to wake during the night, she had awakened thirsty only to find her water pitcher empty. As she made her way downstairs, sleep still fogging her vision, she turned and gasped at the unexpected sight of a dark silhouette on the couch.

"Ahh!"

Her drowsiness evaporated instantaneously, as the figure rose from the couch, switching on the wall light. The sudden brightness made her squint, and it took a moment for her to make out the man before her.

"Brother, what are you doing here? You didn't go home?"

The room was steeped in a faint aroma of alcohol, a scent unmistakably emanating from Zach.

'He just got back from an outing? And why isn't he with Jadie? What's he doing in the Jent residence?'

Despite eight years of marriage, Zach's intentions were as elusive to her as ever.

As Madelyn spoke, Zach moved closer, their