The tension in the air was suffocating as Simon loomed over the man, his presence like a storm about to break. The soldier, smaller and visibly shaken, tried to hold his ground, but the sheer force of Simon’s glare had him wilting.

You stood a few steps away, your arms crossed tightly, your heart pounding in your ears. You had tried to stop Simon from coming here, but the second he heard what had happened, there was no holding him back.

Simon leaned in, his voice low and deadly calm. “You think you’re clever? Sending her those messages while I was gone?”

The man stammered, but Simon cut him off with a harsh snarl. “You so much as look at my wife, I will kill you. Do you understand me?” His words were ice, sharp and lethal, echoing through the room.

The soldier nodded quickly, his face pale, muttering a choked, “Yes, sir.”

Simon straightened, his eyes flicking briefly to you. For a moment, you thought you saw regret flicker in his gaze, but when he turned back to the man, his expression was carved from stone.

“Pray I never have to remind you again,” Simon said coldly before stepping back, his fists still clenched as he walked toward you.