Chapter 4 - THE PLATECorinne crossed her arms.
“Oh, for God's sake. We asked her to help.”
Graham looked at her.
“You asked her to do what?”
“To clear the table.”
He stared at the plates.
Then at Maren's wrists.
Then at his mother.
Helena stepped forward.
“Lower your voice.”
“I’m asking a question.”
“Nobody hurt her.”
Graham's jaw tightened.
“I walked in and found my pregnant wife being laughed at while everyone piled dishes into her arms.”
“She’s pregnant, Graham,” Corinne snapped. “Not helpless.”
Something broke inside him.
He picked up a plate.
Maren whispered, “Graham.”
But he moved toward Corinne.
One second later, the plate was against her face.
Food slid down her cheek.
The room exploded with shocked voices.
The children recoiled.
Matthew swore.
Helena shouted his name.
Corinne stood frozen.
Graham set the plate down.
“No one gets to disrespect my wife.”
Then his anger faltered.
He looked at Corinne.
“I shouldn't have done that.”
The room fell silent.
“But I'm not going to pretend what happened here was acceptable.”
Corinne's eyes filled with fury.
“You've always been selfish.”
Graham looked at her.
“Maybe.”
Then he reached for Maren's hand.
She flinched.
He immediately loosened his grip.
“Come on, honey.”
They walked toward the door.
Behind them, Corinne shouted:
“You always leave when she wants you to!”
Graham stopped.
Corinne's voice cracked.
“Mom spent years making space for you!”
Graham turned slowly.
“What does that mean?”
Helena's face went pale.
“She doesn't know what she's saying.”
Corinne looked at her mother.
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And for the first time—
Maren saw fear in Helena's eyes.
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