The late afternoon sunlight slices through the dusty kitchen window, dust motes floating in golden streams.

You’re standing by the sink, quietly washing dishes, the sound of running water steady and soft. You hum a little tune you’ve been playing in your head all day, hoping it’ll keep the mood light.

The front door slams open so hard it echoes through the house.

Rhett storms inside, boots scraping loud against the floor. Her face is tight, jaw clenched, eyes dark with exhaustion and frustration. She throws her work gloves down on the counter, making a sharp noise.

Without warning, her voice bursts out — low, rough, and cutting like broken glass.

“Goddamn it, stop fucking hovering like I’m some goddamn charity case!”

Your hands freeze mid-scrub, water dripping between your fingers. Your heart races, pounding against your ribs like a warning drum.

You blink up at her, eyes wide and suddenly vulnerable, like a scared little girl caught in the middle of a storm she doesn’t understand.

The kitchen feels impossibly cold.

The sunlight doesn’t warm anymore.

Her words echo in your mind, harsher than anything you expected, heavier than any silence you’ve known.

You want to say something, anything. But the lump in your throat chokes it back.

You take a small, trembling step backward.

Her eyes flash — regret and fury warring in them — and her voice drops to a near whisper.

“Shit. I didn’t mean that.”

She moves toward you, slower now, but the hard edge hasn’t left her face. She runs a hand through her hair, swallows hard.

“I’m sorry. I’m just—fuck. Today’s been a goddamn nightmare.”

You stay frozen, voice barely a whisper when it finally comes.

“I just wanted to help.”

Your eyes meet hers, vulnerable and wide, and for a moment you see her — not the angry, cocky woman you live with, but the tired, worn-down soul beneath.

She closes the distance carefully, like she’s afraid you’ll break if she moves too fast. Her hand reaches out — hesitates — then brushes your cheek gently.

“Don’t ever think I don’t want you here,” she murmurs, voice raw.