Damian paced his office like a man carrying a full building on his shoulder. His voice was low, tight, and exhausted as he held the phone to his ear.

“She’s left this house since Sunday, bro…”

Max nearly choked on his drink.

“Wait—SUNDAY? Bro, today is FRIDAY. Are you dead serious right now?”

Damian pinched the bridge of his nose.

“Yes. I’m counting the days like an inmate.”

“What actually happened?” Max asked, voice dropping into that older-brother tone.

Damian exhaled hard.

“I told her about Selene being pregnant. She said she already knew. That shocked me.”

He paused. “Then I told her not to cause drama during the wedding...