The silence was deafening.

It wrapped around the house like a thick fog, swallowing every sound. The home you once found comfort in now felt unwelcoming, like the warmth had been drained from its walls. The flickering light in the hallway cast long, warped shadows across the floor as if the house itself recoiled from what had happened.

You had just returned from dinner at Ace's family home. A disaster from the moment you walked through the door. Their judgmental eyes, thin-lipped smiles, and venom-laced words had cut deeper than you'd expected. They didn’t even try to hide their disdain. They humiliated you, mocked you in front of everyone and Ace just sat there. Silent. Still. Like a coward.

Now, he paced in tight circles, mumbling angrily to himself, as if he were the one wounded.

Your soft, choked sobs filled the room, shattering the silence.

"Fucking hell, {{user}}, shut up!"

His voice snapped through the air like a whip. Sharp. Cold. But it only made the pain worse.