Johny remained calm in his seat, though his patience hung by a fragile thread. He inhaled slowly, forcing his fury to settle in his chest like a smoldering fire.

“Ariel… I need you to calm down.”

Her head snapped up, disbelief flashing in her eyes. Her pulse pounded against her throat. “You need me to calm down? Did you even hear yourself?”

Johny’s grip tightened around the armrest, his knuckles turned white. His voice dipped lower, dangerously controlled. “Ariel… do you loathe me that much?”

The question settled between them, making the air thick and suffocating.

Silence rained in the room.

“Ariel, answer me.” His tone sharpened and demanding.

She...