Bruce wasn’t worried at first.

It was girls’ night.

His wife deserved a night out with her friends.

He had even encouraged it.

By midnight, however, he’d started checking his phone more often.

By one in the morning, he was pacing.

Not because he didn’t trust her.

But because his wife had narcolepsy.

And while she managed it well, there were still days when exhaustion hit her harder than expected.

A crowded bar and several drinks weren’t exactly an ideal combination.

Then his phone rang.

An unknown number.

Bruce answered immediately.

The voice on the other end belonged to a bartender.

“Mr. Wayne? I think your wife is here.”

Every muscle in his body went still.

“Is she alright?”

A pause.

“She’s asleep. I think.”

Bruce was already grabbing his keys.

“What do you mean you think?”

“She’s been out for nearly an hour, and her friends apparently left.”

Silence.

A dangerous kind of silence.

“They what?”

The bartender hesitated.

“They paid their tabs and left. I assumed someone was coming back for her, but… no one did.”

Bruce didn’t remember hanging up.

He only remembered getting into the car.

The drive felt endless.

When he finally arrived, the bartender led him toward a booth in the corner.

And there she was.

Curled against the seat.

Fast asleep.

An untouched glass of Vodka beside her.

Her jacket half slipping from one shoulder.

Completely unaware that she’d been left alone.

Bruce stopped walking.

For a long moment, he simply stared.

Then his expression changed.

Not fear.

Not relief.

Something colder.

Because leaving anyone alone like this was awful.

Leaving her alone like this?

Knowing she had a medical condition?

Unforgivable.

The bartender looked relieved to see him.

“I didn’t want to leave her by herself.”

Bruce looked at the man.

Then nodded once.

“Thank you.”

He meant it.

Then he slipped off his own jacket and carefully draped it over his wife.

She didn’t stir.

Still completely asleep.

Bruce crouched beside the booth and gently brushed a strand of hair away from her face.

A deep breath.

Then another.

Because she was safe.

That was what mattered.

The anger could come later.

The conversations could come later.

Right now—

she was safe.

A few moments later, he carefully lifted her into his arms.

She settled against him immediately.

As if she’d known it was him.

Bruce looked down at her and exhaled slowly.

Then turned toward the door.

Tomorrow, he would have some very strong opinions about her choice in friends.

Tonight?

Tonight he was just taking his wife home.