ETHAN'S POV

“That has to be a joke,” Sophia said, her voice sharp, echoing through the tension-filled living room.

 Just when I thought there would finally be a moment of silence, some quiet space for me to think, to plan, to breathe she opened her mouth again, shattering what little calm I had left. My head was already pounding from the chaos of the day, and hearing her tone only fueled the storm raging inside me.

 “Do you think for a moment I’ll joke about something that important?” I snapped, my voice carrying more edge than I intended. I rubbed the bridge of my nose, trying to suppress the anger...