MICHAEL

The house feels smaller the moment the doors shut.

Vanessa kicks off her heels and starts talking before I’ve even set my keys down.

“You embarrassed me,” she snaps. “You stood there and let her humiliate me.”

I loosen my tie slowly. “You insulted her child.”

“And you let her slap me.”

I look at her. Really look. “You earned it.”

Her eyes flash. “You were supposed to defend me.”

“I'd defend common sense,” I reply flatly.

She scoffs. “You were staring at her the entire night.”

I walk past her toward the bathroom. “I’m done with this conversation.”

She follows. Of course she does.

“You didn’t even look...