"Don't you dare hit my wife," Travis said, his voice low and sharp as a blade. "Or you'll find yourself behind bars with the rest of them. I won't hesitate."
Alice's father froze mid-motion, his hand trembling in the air. The fury in Travis's eyes wasn't just anger—it was a warning.
"You would have me arrested?" he asked, as if the idea was inconceivable.
"In a heartbeat," Travis replied, stepping forward until they were nearly nose to nose. "You think I care who you are? No man lays a hand on Alice. Not in my presence. Not ever."
The tension in the room became thick, suffocating. Alice stood behind her husband, her breath caught in her throat, her mind spinning. The image of her father about to strike her—it had nearly happened. Again. And this time, someone had stopped him.
Her father looked between them, something ugly passing through his eyes. "You've changed," he said bitterly. "You've become insolent. Disrespectful. This man—this marriage—he's ruined you."
