Chapter 66: Lines Drawn in Silence
Kiel
The moment I stepped into the room, the tension slammed into me like a wall. The air was thick—sharp with unspoken accusations and barely restrained fury. Voices ricocheted off the walls—heated, brittle, and unmistakably hostile. Marcy and Michelle stood toe-to-toe, glaring daggers at each other.
"What the hell is going on in here?" I growled, my voice slicing through the static tension.
Michelle’s lip curled. "Ask her what she said about Josie—"
"Enough!" My voice boomed across the room, louder than I intended. Michelle jumped slightly, startled. Marcy straightened, her jaw set, but she didn’t flinch. Her mouth remained tight, anger simmering behind her eyes. "Both of you—out. Now."
Michelle opened her mouth, likely to argue. I wasn’t in the mood.
"I said—get out," I barked, my tone leaving no room for argument.
They moved reluctantly, neither willing to concede even in retreat. As they passed, I reached out and caught Marcy’s arm.
"Not you," I said. "Wait outside."
Her eyes flicked to mine, then she nodded and stepped out, leaving the door ajar behind her.
When I turned back, I scanned the room, the adrenaline still pulsing through me. Josie stood near the bed, arms wrapped tightly across her chest like armor. Her eyes avoided mine, fixed somewhere over my shoulder. That... hurt more than it should have.
I clenched my jaw. I didn’t trust myself to speak—not without snapping, not while my pulse was pounding in my ears. I turned and stormed out before I said something I’d regret.