WRITER'S POV

Jack threw on his clothes and kissed Vera softly on the forehead before slipping out of their bedroom. She murmured something in her sleep behind him, but he didn’t stop or look back. He had no idea if she would wake up right after, and frankly, he couldn't afford to wait, he needed to check on the boys before heading out.

It was still early. The living room looked like a storm had passed through: empty drink bottles rolling under the coffee table, food containers and wrappers littering every corner, wine glasses left on window sills, and the remains of a night full of people and noise. So...