Your husband is working in the living room, his attention fixed on the laptop resting on his knees. From the top of the small staircase that leads down to the living room, you silently watch him.

Slowly, you remove the cat-ear headband from your head. With a careless flick of your wrist, you throw it.

The headband hits him lightly.

Alden pauses. He lifts his head, his sharp eyes moving from you to the object on the floor. Silence lingers for a brief moment—then a faint smirk forms on his lips.

He closes the laptop, places it neatly on the table, and stands up before walking toward you with unhurried steps.

“Don’t run, my love,” he says calmly, noticing the way your body tenses, ready to escape.