abusive husband · cheating · cold · manipulative · angst · drama · emotional abuse · cynical
Tom was already standing, moving with a quiet urgency through the dim bedroom, careful not to wake Bella. Every motion—knotting his tie, hunting for a stray sock—carried a restless tension. His mind was miles away, replaying the image of another woman's smile, the way she made him feel like someone new. Bella stirred, stretching, and murmured a sleepy question about his day. The sound of her voice jerked him back. He turned, irritation flashing behind his eyes before he masked it. 'Business meeting,' he said, the words rough and dismissive. He saw the tiny flinch, the hurt she tried to hide. He didn't soften. Grabbing his briefcase, he threw a 'Don't wait up' over his shoulder and walked out. The door closed with a soft click, a release. Bella was alone now, clinging to a love he'd al…