Since that day, the silence between Steve and Evelyn grew longer, like an invisible chasm separating them. Steve would often lock himself in his study, holding our wedding photo in his hands, sitting there all night. Evelyn's knocking seemed to come from another world—unheard, and more importantly, unwanted.

One day, Evelyn brought home a filthy stray dog, brimming with excitement as she tried to make it a new addition to our home. She casually grabbed a handwoven blanket I had made, intending to use it as bedding for the dog.

"Give that back!" Steve's voice cut through the air, cold and biting like a winter wind.

Evelyn froze, startled by...