Chapter104:

Chapter 104 CELESTE I wanted to believe him. God, I wanted to believe him so badly. But I'd spent six years married to the other version of him, six years learning to recognize when he was lying or manipulating or just saying what he thought I wanted to hear. "Tell me what happened," I said. "Not the details if they're too dark, but tell me what you did tonight. I need to understand." He nodded slowly, then moved to the living room couch, sinking down onto it like the weight of the evening was finally catching up to him. I followed but sat in the armchair across from him rather than beside him. "I threatened people," he began, his voice low. "I used fear and intimidation to extract information. I..." He paused, seeming to struggle with the words. "I stabbed someone. Drove a knife through their hand to make them talk." I felt my stomach turn, but I forced myself to stay calm, to keep listening. "I threatened families, including children," he continued, not looking at me now, staring at