Charles stumbled back, clutching at his reddened cheek and the blistering pain on his legs.
His face twisted with fury, and with whatever strength he could muster, he lunged toward Nicole, intent on intimidating her into submission.
But Nicole wasn’t that woman anymore.
Her fingers wrapped around the knife that lay on the counter, its blade glinting in the kitchen light as she raised it between them.
The tension was cut by her voice, low and unshakeable. "Try me, Charles. You take one more step, and I'll make sure you rot in hell where you belong."
Charles froze, his breath heavy with suppressed anger, but her unwavering stance forced him to retreat slightly. His lips curled into a snarl. “You’re going to regret this, Nicole. Mark my words.”
…………………………………………………………………………………
Nicole’
