CHAPTER 2 — THE FIRST CHOICE
CHAPTER 2 — THE FIRST CHOICE
The kitchen fell into a silence so heavy that even the ticking clock above the stove sounded loud.
Andrew didn't move.
He stood between Maya and his mother, his shoulders squared like a wall that had finally decided not to fall.
"Maya," he said softly without taking his eyes off Victoria, "are you hurt?"
She looked down.
A tiny piece of porcelain had sliced the bottom of her foot. A thin trail of blood spread across the white tile.
"I'm okay."
"No," Andrew replied. "You're not."
He helped her sit on one of the dining chairs before turning back to his mother.
Victoria folded her arms.
"Oh, don't be dramatic. I never touched her."
"You threw a plate at an eight-month-pregnant woman."
"It missed."
"It wasn't supposed to."
Those four words echoed through the room.
Victoria's confident smile disappeared.
For years, Andrew had defended her sharp tongue, excused her controlling behavior, and convinced himself she only wanted what was best for the family.
But today there was no excuse.
He had seen fear in Maya's eyes.
Real fear.
The kind no husband should ever allow.
"You owe my wife an apology," Andrew said.
Victoria laughed.
"I owe her nothing."
Andrew slowly reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm calling the police."
Her face turned pale.
"You wouldn't dare."
"I should have done it the first time you threatened her."
The words stunned everyone.
Even Maya.
There had been other incidents.
He had known.
May you like
And he had stayed silent.
Not anymore.
