"Honey," she said, setting her cup down gently, "you've been off since yesterday. What happened between you and Thaddeus?"
Ryland didn't answer right away. His eyes drifted toward the window, where the morning light spilled across the curtains. He sighed before finally turning back to her. "Nothing really, my love. It's just… work and the…"
His wife cut him off softly. "Ryland, we didn't just get married yesterday. I know you better than anyone. You invited Thaddeus out yesterday, and you wouldn't have done that unless it was something serious, something you couldn't say inside this house. So, are you going to tell me, or should I drag it out of you?"
Ryland looked at her, guilt flickering in his eyes. "I'm sorry… but I can't tell you."
Her expression hardened. "Because it's about Kayden, isn't it?"
He opened his mouth to deny it, but she interrupted again, her voice trembling now. "It's about Kayden, right? Is everything Lena said true?"
