Chapter 2: The Door She Shouldn’t Have Opened
Simone stared at the front door like it had become something alive.
Something waiting.
Her mother's voice came again from the other side.
“Simone? Honey?””
The hand around her wrist tightened.
Andre's.
Not enough to leave a mark.
Not enough for anyone else to notice.
But enough.
Enough to remind her.
“Let go,” Simone whispered.
Andre didn't move.
His eyes stayed fixed on the door.
“Tell her we're not home.””
Simone looked at him.
For a moment, she thought she had misunderstood.
“What?””
“Tell her we're not home.””
A strange laugh escaped her.
Not because it was funny.
Because it was unbelievable.
“My mother is standing outside our house.””
“And?””
“And you're telling me to pretend we aren't here?””
Andre's expression remained flat.
“Yes.””
The bell rang again.
This time, her mother sounded worried.
“Simone, please open the door.””
That word hit harder than anything else.
Please.
Her mother never sounded like that unless something was wrong.
Simone pulled her wrist free.
Andre immediately reached for it again, but she stepped back.
“No.””
The word came out quietly.
But it was the first time all night she had said something without fear.
Andre looked at her.
“What did you say?””
“I said no.””
The silence between them changed.
Just slightly.
But enough.
Because Simone heard herself.
She heard the woman she used to be.
The woman who argued with teachers.
The woman who moved across the country alone for college.
The woman who told Andre on their first date that she would never tolerate someone controlling her life.
Somewhere along the way, that woman had disappeared.
But maybe she wasn't gone.
Maybe she had just been waiting.
The knocking continued.
“Simone?””
Her mother's voice cracked.
That did it.
Simone walked toward the door.
Andre stepped in front of her.
“Don't.””
She stopped.
“Move.””
“Think carefully.””
Her heart pounded.
“About what?””
“About what happens after you open that door.””
Simone stared at him.
“What happens?””
“You know your mother.””
“Yes.””
“She'll make a big deal out of nothing.””
Simone felt something inside her break.
“Nothing?””
Andre's face tightened.
“I didn't say that.””
“You just did.””
“I said she exaggerates.””
“My eye is bruised.””
“And you're alive.””
The words hung in the air.
For a second, neither of them moved.
Simone felt cold.
Not because of the temperature.
Because she finally understood something.
Andre wasn't scared of what happened.
He was scared of being exposed.
A soft voice came from behind the door.
“Sweetheart, I know you're in there.””
Simone's eyes filled.
Her mother knew.
Maybe not everything.
But enough.
She reached for the lock.
Andre grabbed the edge of the door.
“Simone.””
She looked at him.
His voice lowered.
“Don't embarrass me.””
And there it was.
Not concern.
Not love.
Not fear for her.
Embarrassment.
Simone opened the door.
Her mother, Elaine, stood on the porch holding her purse tightly against her chest.
She was still wearing the blue coat she had worn to work. Her gray hair was pulled back neatly, and there were deep lines around her eyes that had appeared over the years.
But tonight, those eyes weren't looking at Simone's dress.
Or her hair.
Or the flowers in the entryway.
They went directly to her daughter's face.
The world seemed to stop.
Elaine's expression changed.
Slowly.
First confusion.
Then fear.
Then something Simone had not seen in years.
Rage.
Not loud.
Not explosive.
A mother's rage.
“Oh my God.””
Simone immediately looked down.
“Mom—”
“No.””
Elaine stepped inside.
Her voice shook.
“What happened?””
Simone opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
Andre appeared behind her.
“Elaine, it's not what you think.””
Elaine looked at him.
The warmth disappeared from her face.
“I didn't ask you.””
The room went silent.
Andre blinked.
It was the first time Simone had seen someone speak to him like that.
Elaine turned back to her daughter.
“Simone.””
“Mom, I—”
“Look at me.””
Simone couldn't.
“Sweetheart.””
That word.
That gentle word.
Destroyed the wall Simone had spent months building.
Her eyes filled with tears.
Elaine reached toward her face.
Simone flinched.
She hated herself for doing it.
But her mother noticed.
Of course she noticed.
Elaine slowly lowered her hand.
Her voice became quieter.
“Did he do this?””
Simone froze.
Behind her, she felt Andre watching.
Waiting.
The old Simone would have answered quickly.
“No.””
The old Simone would have protected him.
The old Simone would have apologized.
But she was tired.
So tired.
She looked at her mother.
And for the first time, she didn't lie.
She didn't say yes either.
She just whispered:
“I don't know what to say.””
Elaine's eyes filled with tears.
“Oh, Simone.””
Andre stepped forward.
“Elaine, you're jumping to conclusions.””
Elaine turned.
“Am I?””
“Yes.””
“Then explain.””
He hesitated.
Only for a second.
But Simone saw it.
Her mother saw it too.
“I told you,” Andre said.
“She fell.””
Elaine looked at Simone.
“Did you fall?””
Simone's lips parted.
The lie was right there.
Easy.
Safe.
Familiar.
But she couldn't force it out.
“I…”
Andre interrupted.
“She doesn't remember exactly.””
Elaine looked at him.
“She doesn't remember?””
“It happened quickly.””
“How convenient.””
Andre's face hardened.
“Excuse me?””
Elaine stepped closer.
“You heard me.””
Simone watched the two people standing in front of her.
Her husband.
Her mother.
Two people who had shaped her entire life.
And suddenly she felt like a stranger in her own home.
“Mom,” Simone whispered.
Elaine turned immediately.
“What?””
“I don't want to fight.””
Elaine's expression softened.
“Okay.””
She reached for Simone's hand.
“We won't fight.””
Andre gave a small laugh.
“You're making this dramatic.””
Elaine looked at him.
“No.””
Her voice was calm.
Almost too calm.
“I am standing in my daughter's house, looking at a bruise on her face, and asking why she is afraid to answer a simple question.””
Simone felt tears fall.
“I’m not afraid.””
Elaine looked at her.
The silence was enough.
Because they both knew.
Simone was afraid.
Not just of Andre.
Of what came next.
Elaine squeezed her hand.
“Come with me.””
Andre immediately stepped forward.
“Where?””
Elaine didn't look at him.
“The kitchen.””
“She can talk here.””
“No.””
Andre's jaw tightened.
“Elaine.””
For the first time, Elaine turned fully toward him.
“My daughter is going to spend five minutes alone with me.””
Something about her tone made even Andre stop.
Elaine led Simone into the kitchen.
The moment they were out of his sight, Simone broke.
She covered her mouth to stop the sob.
Her mother pulled her into a hug.
And Simone almost collapsed.
Because it had been so long since someone held her without wanting something from her.
“I’m sorry,” Simone whispered.
Elaine held her tighter.
“Why are you sorry?””
“I ruined dinner.””
“Simone.””
“I ruined everything.””
“No.””
Elaine pulled back and held her daughter's face gently.
“You listen to me. You did not ruin anything.””
Simone cried harder.
“I should have told you.””
“Yes.””
The answer surprised her.
Elaine wiped a tear from her cheek.
“You should have.””
Simone looked down.
“But I understand why you didn't.””
The kitchen became quiet.
Then Elaine asked the question Simone had been avoiding.
“How long?””
Simone closed her eyes.
A memory flashed.
The first apology.
The first bouquet of flowers.
The first time Andre cried and promised he would change.
Then another memory.
Another apology.
Another promise.
She swallowed.
“I don't know.””
Elaine's face fell.
“That long?””
Simone nodded.
“I thought I could fix it.””
Her mother sat down beside her.
“You are not something that needs fixing.””
A noise came from the hallway.
A floorboard.
Someone moving.
Simone looked toward the kitchen entrance.
Andre was listening.
Elaine noticed.
Her expression changed.
She lowered her voice.
“Does he check your phone?””
Simone hesitated.
A second too long.
Elaine understood.
“Does he?””
“Yes.””
“Does he control where you go?””
Simone looked away.
“Sometimes.””
“Sometimes isn't an answer.””
Simone whispered:
“Yes.””
Elaine took a slow breath.
Then she reached into her purse.
Her hand stopped.
Because something inside had been bothering her since she arrived.
Something she hadn't mentioned.
“Simone.””
“What?””
Elaine looked toward the hallway.
“I didn't come here because I was worried about dinner.””
Simone frowned.
“What do you mean?””
Her mother pulled out her phone.
“I came because I received a message tonight.””
Simone stared.
“What message?””
Elaine unlocked her phone.
Her face was pale.
“I thought it was a mistake.””
She turned the screen toward Simone.
There was a single text message from an unknown number.
One sentence.
One warning.
Simone read it.
And the blood drained from her face.
*“If Simone comes to dinner tonight, ask her what happened last weekend.””*
Simone looked up slowly.
Her voice barely came out.
“Mom…”
Elaine gripped her hand.
“Who sent this?””
Before Simone could answer, Andre's voice came from behind them.
“I was wondering when you were going to tell her.””
Simone turned.
Andre stood in the kitchen doorway.
And he wasn't angry.
He was smiling.
May you like
Because he knew something Simone didn't.
And he was about to reveal it.
