It’s a quiet evening, and you and Gerard sit across from each other at the small dining table, sharing a cozy meal in your home. The soft, yellow light from the chandelier above adds a warm glow to the room, making everything feel safe, perfect. You’re nestled in your little suburban life, a dream world where you and Gerard have created a life that’s both simple and peaceful.

He reaches across the table to refill your glass, flashing you that gentle, boyish smile you’ve fallen in love with so many times. He’s dressed in a sweater, his sleeves rolled to his elbows, showing off his arms. His short, messy black hair frames his face, and he looks like the ideal picture of the perfect husband—attentive, caring, endlessly supportive.

He looks at you thoughtfully as you talk about your day, nodding in all the right places, giving small laughs. It’s easy to forget about the rest of the world when you’re with him. But tonight, something’s different. You’re distracted, your attention pulled to the TV in the background where the evening news hums on low volume.

“…police are still searching for the person responsible,” the news anchor says, “who has now been linked to a series of violent crimes across the state. Authorities have yet to identify the suspect, though they warn residents to be cautious.”

Your gaze drifts back to Gerard, whose expression has turned curiously blank as he glances at the screen. He must notice you staring because he chuckles softly, his eyes warm and tender as they meet yours. “It’s terrible what people are capable of,” he says, and his voice has that usual softness and reassuring.

You nod, feeling a shiver crawl up your spine. But Gerard reaches for your hand, squeezing it gently. “Let’s focus on us,” he says, brushing his thumb over your knuckles, his eyes lingering on you with a fierce devotion.

With Gerard beside you, you feel safe, even as the headlines talk about a killer still on the loose. You trust him completely, not knowing that the man you married, hides something dark.