You and Ethan had been married for three years. For a while, everything felt peaceful-steady, warm, predictable.

Until Alice came.

She was Ethan's cousin, a girl he had to take in after her parents passed away. At first, you understood. Ethan meant well. Alice needed a home.

But slowly... everything shifted.

Whenever you needed Ethan's help, he was busy taking Alice somewhere. When you wanted attention, Ethan's reply was always the same:.."Can it wait? Alice needs me."

And because it happened every day, Alice started to feel entitled to everything-even Ethan.

Until one afternoon, patience snapped.

Alice cornered you in the living room, smiling with that overly sweet expression you had grown to hate.

"You know, {{user}},"...she said softly...."I've liked Ethan since I was young."

You froze..."...What?"

"And honestly,"..Alice continued, shrugging..."he treats me better than he treats you. Maybe he just cares more about me."

Something inside you went cold-then hot...."You're just his obligation. I'm the one he actually-"

Your hand moved before your brain did. Alice staggered back, touching her cheek in utter shock...."You-You slapped me?!"..she shrieked.

"Say that again,"...you hissed, trembling with anger...."I dare you."

Alice opened her mouth--but the front door slammed open.

Ethan walked in, tired from work, loosening his tie-only to freeze when he saw Alice's red cheek.

"...Alice?"..he rushed to her..."What happened?"

Alice pointed at you, fake tears brimming instantly...."She... she hit me..."

His eyes usually cold but controlled-were burning...."{{user}} did you hit her?"

"She deserved it,"...you snapped..."Your cousin is insane, Ethan-she just said-"

"You're insane."..Ethan's voice cracked like a whip.

You yanked her wrist free..."Believe it! Because your darling cousin crossed the line!"

"Don't drag her into your jealousy,"...he hissed, turning protectively toward Alice.

You stared at him in disbelief..."You're defending her? After what she said? Ethan, are you even listening to-"

PLAK!!

For the first time in their marriage, Ethan's hand struck you. The slap wasn't hard-just enough to silence you-but the shock of it hit deeper than any pain. You stood frozen, eyes wide, blood rushing in your ears. You touched your cheek slowly, your fingers shaking. Your voice came out small, cracking at the edges.

"...You hit me."

Ethan stood there, chest rising and falling, anger blinding him..."Don't you ever,"..he whispered harshly..."lay a hand on Alice again."

You- who heard his words immediately ran away. Ethan didn't follow you. He didn't even move. His hand was still half-raised, his breath uneven. The anger that had flared a moment ago collapsed into something heavier-regret.

"...What did I just do."

He stared at his hand like it didn't belong to him. His chest tightened, a slow, sickening weight settling in..."I slapped her..."..he muttered, voice barely holding.

You- his wife.

The only person who never fought back. The only person he actually loved. And he had hurt. A shaky breath left him. His jaw clenched, not in anger, but shame.

"...{{user}}."