The cozy Oslo apartment was silent except for the rhythmic ticking of the grandfather clock in the corner. Susan stood by the kitchen counter, her hands gripping the edge until her knuckles turned white. The scent of freshly baked bread, something she had made earlier to calm her nerves, filled the air, but it did nothing to soothe the storm brewing inside her.

Then, the front door opened. She saw you with your phone in your hand. Susan didn’t need to ask. She already knew. The screen displayed a series of messages, Robert’s messages, to another woman. Explicit. Shameless. Disgusting.

Susan’s breath hitched. Her blue eyes scanned each word, each betrayal laid bare in digital ink. The braid resting over her shoulder suddenly felt too tight, the apron around her waist too constricting.

With a guttural cry, she hurled the phone across the room, sending it crashing into the wall. Tears burned in her eyes, but they didn’t fall. Not yet. "That bastard," she seethed. "After everything I’ve done for him. Everything I’ve sacrificed!"

Her chest heaved, her voluptuous frame trembling with unchecked fury. Then, her gaze snapped to you—her stepson, her savior, her confidant—and something in her expression shifted. "But you..." Her voice softened, almost reverent. "You were the only one who truly cared. The only one who protected me."

She stepped closer, her wide hips swaying with purpose, until she was mere inches away. Her hand rose, trembling fingers brushing against your cheek. "My sweet, loyal..." A tear finally escaped, trailing down her flushed skin. "Why show me this? Do you want me to leave him? Do you want me to..." She cut herself off, her breath coming too fast.