Page 6

6

LAUREL

“Mrs. Lafreniére, there’s been a slight change of seating,” the woman at the airline counter said gently – and immediately, Laurel braced herself. So far, her life had been like the under-ring of a gas station toilet rim lately, so why not tack on another problem to the swirly of poo that her life had become.

Hmm.

Let’s see, withdrawing your sister from school and having to re-explain all over again how she was the guardian of Kendall, her parents had died, and they were moving to another country had been a level of joy that one should never have to achieve?

Wee…

Oh yes, not to mention that Laurel’s new husband had managed to remove every ounce of confidence she had with that shocked and disgusted look at the justice of the peace office when it had been time to kiss the bride – and combine that with the lack of communication?

Forget chef’s kiss.

Her chef just spit on her life. Ptwooey !

Oh – and she missed her book deadline, so any and all edits were done after the cancellation. Now, there was explanations, apologies, groveling to the ‘ publishing lords on high ’ only to receive a two-day reprieve. She met the new deadline by furiously typing like a mad fiend for nearly forty-eight hours straight before sleeping for fifteen amidst the ribbing from her sister about ‘dragon-boinking’ once again.

Children were not good for your self-esteem or ego. Who knew husbands weren’t either?

“Peachy. Just peachy,” Laurel sighed heavily, glancing at Kendall. “Just let me know when the new flight is scheduled to take off, and we’ll find a place to crash here to sleep or get something to eat while we…”

“Mrs. Lafreniére, you misunderstand,” the woman replied kindly. “You may board the plane.”

“Come again?” Laurel blurted out, cupping her ear.

“You are welcome to board now. I was just getting ready to announce your group, and it looks like your seating was changed.”

“Whaaadya mean? - I don’t understand. We have new seats ?”

“Yes ma’am,” the gate attendant smiled and waved at Kendall, who rolled her eyes rudely. “You’ve been moved to first-class business.”

“There’s been some mistake…”

“Shaddup, Laurel,” Kendall interrupted quickly, yanking on her arm – her face glowing with awareness. “Thank you. Can we get our new tickets?”

“Kendall, I didn’t buy first-class seats.”

“Maybe ‘ Ol’ Blue-Eyes ’ did,” Kendall taunted, reaching for the new tickets, and nearly dragged her down the ramp toward the plane. To her shock, they were moved to two seats beside each other where blankets, pillows, and a toiletry bag sat in each.

“Cool. Headphones,” Kendall announced, already digging in the stuff that was waiting there as a flight attendant smiled at her indulgently.

“If you want to take your seats, get comfortable, I’ll be around to take your food orders shortly along with mimosas since it’s before noon.”

“We’re eating on the flight?” Kendall gushed, slapping her on the arm excitedly. “You hear that, peanuts are for the paupers! Little Boy Blue really came through and…”

“Okay,” Laurel hissed, trying to hush her sister immediately as others started to board the plane. “You’ve got to stop calling him that – and quit assuming that he bought the upgraded seats. I assure you that he wouldn’t do something like that.”

“Uh, hello? He paid for the movers and…”

“His new contract paid for the movers,” Laurel corrected pointedly. “Now buckle up so you are ready when they come around.”

“Can I have a mimosa?”

“Have you aged nine years in the last week?” she countered Kendall pointedly – and sighed. “I feel like I have, but no, you cannot have a mimosa.”

“A sip?”

“Fine.”

“Contributing to the delinquency of a minor,” Kendall sang in a hushed voice, squirming happily in her seat as Laurel turned slowly to her sister in disbelief.

“You did not just say that…”

“If it looks like a duck and walks like a duck…”

“The duck can drink water,” Laurel said flatly.

“What?! No fair! You said we were gonna have mimosas and…”

“Shhh.”

“Look, just because your life is ruined doesn’t mean you have to ruin mine in the process,” Kendall grumbled, crossing her arms. “I never get to have any fun, get pulled from my school, all my friends, to go to some frozen wasteland where I don’t even speak the language, all so my putridly shy sister can simmer in her own rejection-pot of Blue-eyed-boy-lust and revel in imaginary rampant dragon-boinking, all the time for days on end.”

“Oh my gosh,” Laurel muttered, flushing. “Can you just stop? It’s not boy lust; there is no dragon-boinking, and yes – I’m feeling a little rejected, so can you take it easy on my feelings? I see my breaking point, and it’s really freakin’ close, Kendall, ” she whispered, glaring at her sister and hating that her eyes were stinging with unshed tears as people around them were staring due to her sister’s colorful tirade. “The book is done and I’ve got to do a contemporary one next, so no more dragons for a while.”

“But there’s gonna be boinking?”

“Boinking sells – and pays the bills. Now, please, hush?”

“Not anymore,” Kendall challenged, lifting an eyebrow. “Now it’s your hot hockey player husband that pays the bills and… SEEEEEE ?”

“Mrs. Lafreniére?”

“Oh gosh, now what?” Laurel muttered under her breath, unbuckling. “Kendall put the stuff down and get your bag.”

“Why? Where are we going?”

“We’re moving seats and…”

“Mrs. Lafreniére, would you like your mimosa now?” the attendant said gently, smiling. “Please buckle up. The captain is going to be taking off shortly, and it’s our goal to make your trip as pleasant as possible. Can I get you and your sister something… a blanket? Warm nuts?”

“Ooooh,” Kendall practically purred.

“Oh gosh,” Laurel grimaced, sinking down in her seat in sudden dawning horror at the gleeful way her sister put something so innocent together with something filthy. The kid probably needed to talk to a counselor instead of delving into making everything and anything filthy in an ‘effort to help her’… which Laurel did not ask for help from a child.

A twisted child.

“I’d love some warm nuts – and my sister will take as many as you can give her. Eh? Eh? You can put that in one of your smut-filled books, Laurel. Like you always say – sex sells and pays the bills. If your husband didn’t buy these warm nuts, they are all because of you , sweet sister, and all that delicious dragon-boinking you write in your books.”

Laurel cussed under her breath before sinking down further and hiding behind a menu as at least five people’s head swung around to stare at her in shock.

“You’re grounded.”

“You can’t ground me – I’m your sister.”

“Fine – no internet.”

“That’s not yours to dole out either – that probably is controlled by his hotness, Little Boy Blue. ”

“I’ll make sure he cuts you off.”

“Ha! You two are barely talking – and he’s your husband.”

Laurel immediately grabbed her headphones, yanking them on her head, pulled her cap down, tossed a blanket over her like she was cold, and pretended to listen to the television… instead she was thinking of how to get her sister to stop taking the ‘shock and awe’ route in public – and unfortunately, Kendall was right.

They were not talking.

F ive hours later, mentally exhausted and dreading the taxi ride to the house, the duo disembarked the plane among the crowds and made their way slowly toward baggage claim, where they planned on getting their things – and then grabbing a ride.

Laurel was a little nervous about the language barrier and had the address of the place. Supposedly, everything was handled by Dustin, and all she had to do was go to the desk to meet the office manager to get the keys to the new condo.

It was a little bit of a relief to be meeting a condo manager again – and removed the tension and pressures of buying something permanent… when none of this marriage was. If Dustin had picked out the condo and she hadn’t signed anything, then it was his if she ever got to a point where she couldn’t handle this anymore.

… And drew to a stop as the crowd seemed to part.

Her eyes met his across the room.

“Ughhhh – again ?” Kendall groaned, sighing dramatically. “Does he have to be, like, everywhere we go? I mean, the googly eyes you two give each other while saying ‘no’ all the time is enough to give me whiplash – I swear.”

Dustin was walking toward them, his face expressionless and his eyes watching them almost warily.

“What are you doing here?”

“I told the coach you both were flying in, and they let me leave practice early,” he explained simply, shrugging. To her horror, Kendall leaned forward, sniffed, and then backed away.

“Truth.”

“Thanks, kid.”

“You’re welcome. May I suggest antiperspirant?”

“I used it – along with a shovel to get my ego off the ground.”

“See? Now, aren’t you glad we’re family?”

“So happy,” he muttered evenly. “So, sooo happy… you have no idea.”

Laurel wanted to die.

Now.

Right now.

Instead, she grabbed Kendall, pulling her from where she was standing between the two of them and gave him an apologetic smile. “I’m sure you smell just fine.”

“I’m so glad we are having this conversation in public,” he retorted glibly.

“You know, I was going to get a taxi to the condo…”

“But I’m here and thought it would be a nice gesture,” he interrupted, staring at her. “How were your seats?”

“Told you…” Kendall sang – and this time, both she and Dustin rolled their eyes in unison before sharing a quick, nervous smile.

“They were really nice.”

“She had two mimosas,” Kendall volunteered, “And lots of warm nuts. She was obsessed with them and…” Laurel immediately put her hand over her sister’s mouth – ignoring the way Kendall licked her palm to get free.

“You are disgusting,” Laurel hissed in frustration and anger, turning to look at her sister’s wide eyes as she stared at her mutely from behind her hand. “No more comments, innuendo, and can you please leave my dignity intact for the next thirty minutes?” And right before she pulled her hand away, she paused as Dustin spoke.

“You know, the computer is still in the box for Kendall. If she’s not listening to you or misbehaving, say the word, and I’ll return it.”

He tossed it out there in such a manner-of-fact voice that both females looked at him in shock as he shrugged.

Laurel was amazed that he had her back, allowing her to be in charge when she’d felt so completely out of control the last week, and Kendall was glaring at him. Pulling her hand away from her sister’s mouth, she wiped it on her jeans, disgusted.

“I don’t like you,” Kendall began hotly, hissing the words. “I hope this whole fiasco is temporary so you’ll go away.”

“Your sister is in control, so you are whining to the wrong person,” Dustin said simply. “I’m the wallet. She’s the boss. You’ll get farther with honey than you will with that attitude, too.”

“Kendall!” Laurel began, shocked, and Dustin stopped her, staring at her sister stonily. It was almost like the duo was in a ‘glare-off’ to see who could outdo each other with the most menacing look. “Please be nice…”

“When we’re at the house, behind closed doors, you can say what you want to me, Kendall – but you will always respect your sister. She is the one who decides if you get a computer, a game system, a car when you turn sixteen, all of it… so while you don’t have to like me – you do have to treat her nicely.”

“Did you say a car?”

Instead of answering Kendall, Dustin turned to her.

“How many bags did you check, Laurel?”

“Two. One for each of us.”

“Perfect. Let’s grab them and head to the condo. I think you’ll like the views. You can see the St. Lawrence River from your office and the living room. It’s quite nice.”

“It sounds like it,” she replied quietly, weirdly politeness flowing between them – and this wasn’t a stranger.

Laurel had known Dustin for years, but here he was acting like he was talking cordially with a stranger. She was trying to figure him out while still reeling at some of the things he said to Kendall… giving her complete control, supporting her.

None of it made sense.

Kendall pointed out the bags, huffing and glaring at Dustin, like he was bothering her by existing in this same space with them… and she felt tears sting her eyes.

She felt sad for her sister, who had her entire life tossed upside down when her parents died, now lived with her and trying to find her footing, only to have it all yanked out from under her again. None of this was her fault, yet Kendall was having a new life, new school, new home dumped on her again … because of her.

Laurel was the one who fawned over Dustin for years – but to Kendall, he was just another person. An annoying person who was taking her from her home and everything she knew.

Dustin was walking back over, holding both bags and looked at her strangely.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes. Just tired.”

“M’kay,” he said simply and nodded toward the door. “C’mon. I’m parked illegally, so you didn’t have to walk as far.”

“At least he admits it,” Kendall muttered. “He always parks like a douche…”

“Kendall!”

“What?!” her sister snapped back. “That black car at the condo always parked like a… wait ,” she hesitated causing Laurel to come to a stop as they both saw Dustin opening the back of a different vehicle. “That’s not your car.”

Dustin was putting their bags in the back of a stunning Land Rover Defender that was sitting in the ‘No Parking’ zone with its blinkers flashing. The car was black with dark interior – and looked to be decked out with all the bells and whistles. He obviously had a thing for cars, and she hated to admit that he had fantastic taste… and froze as he looked at Laurel.

“No, it’s not. It’s your sister’s car – if she likes it,” he said simply and waved them over. Kendall’s face looked excited and a little hesitant, while she hung back, her mind racing as Dustin moved to open the passenger side door. “It’s yours if you want this. I think it will do okay in the snow, but if not, or you want something else – just say the word.”

“This… is mine?”

“Unless you want the Lotus?”

“I do!” Kendall interjected quickly from the backseat where she’d climbed in – reaching for Laurel’s shoulder and grabbing a fistful of her shirt to shake her. “You want the Lotus, Laurel – this one is a fancy Mom-mobile, and we want to ride in style in the sleek muscle car.”

“I wouldn’t exactly call it a ‘Mom’ car,” Dustin began as he climbed into the driver’s side and glanced at her, starting the vehicle. “But I thought it would make a nice family car to start unless you want something bigger. I looked at a Tahoe, but moving from a Corolla to something that huge can be intimidating. If you don’t like the color, there’s a lighter gray one at the condo with white interior…”

“What?” she whispered, shocked and looked at him – only to see him look away. “You bought two of them?”

“We have three spots,” he shrugged, making light of it, and pulled away from the curb. Laurel sat back, looking at everything, and then met her sister’s eyes.

“Do you like this?” she asked quietly.

“Do you?”

“It’s really nice.”

“It’s not rusted,” Kendall replied openly, and Dustin chuckled, looking at her sister in the rearview mirror.

“I don’t mind if you use the Lotus when it’s nice out, but it can get away from you if you’re not careful, Laurel. If Kendall wants to make an appearance on the first day of school, take the Lotus – but I thought this would be nice to get around town.”

“It’s lovely,” Laurel admitted as Kendall finally smiled, looking almost thrilled at the idea that someone understood she wanted to look cool and be noticed. She forgot what it was like to be a kid, but Dustin somehow picked up on it quickly. “I’m really grateful for the car.”

“I thought it was nice – and the plates will be here in a few weeks. It’s all handled. If you have any problems, the papers are in the glovebox.”

“Thank you.”

“Of course.”

They all three fell silent as he drove. Dustin was watching the road, Kendall was staring out the window, and Laurel was lost in her thoughts, taking in every bit of scenery she could of this foreign city with the city signs in French. Yeah, she was going to have to brush up on her almost non-existent language skills that she’d learned in high school.

As he pulled off the road, she absorbed every detail, watching him pull into an underground garage that would be protected from the weather. The entry was textured and made an annoying sound, but it would be welcome in the rain or snow. Pulling into the garage, she was happy to see it was well illuminated with LED lights and spotted the Lotus that had given her fits for so long, right next to the other Land Rover.

“I parked it on the edge of the line since these three spots are ours,” he said quietly, and there was a note of something in his voice that caused her to look at him… and see a tell-tale smirk on his face that disappeared quickly. “C’mon and see the place.”

And Dustin was out of the car before she could answer.

Kendall was scrambling to unbuckle, immediately flinging open the door so fast it caused Laurel to flinch, expecting it to make contact with the other car.

It didn’t – thank goodness.

Laurel climbed out and saw that obviously she was dragging her feet compared to the others, making her wonder if Dustin was as excited as Kendall obviously was… and just hiding it better.

“This is the place?” Kendall began in a rush. “The whole thing or…”

“Twelfth floor,” Dustin replied easily.

“You got a thing for the number twelve?”

“Nope. I have a thing for not hearing feet walking above me. I always go for the top floor.”

“Why didn’t you get a house?”

“I hate doing yard work.”

“You’re rich – hire someone.”

“I’m well-off, and I’d rather not. Hiring someone means inviting them into my life, and I prefer my privacy.”

“Why? Are you a closet-weirdo?”

“Kendall,” Laurel hissed in disbelief as they walked down the hallway toward the elevator at the end that was waiting. “I’m sorry, Dustin. She obviously has no manners and…”

“Hey!” Kendall protested.

“It’s fine. She’s curious and doesn’t know me. I get it – and no. I’m not a freak, but when you start getting in the limelight, then you really value your privacy because the weirdos do come out of the woodwork.”

“What do you mean?” Kendall asked quickly as Laurel shook her head.

“Stealing stuff to sell, asking for autographs, wanting to take photos, or asking for free tickets. I mean, I don’t mind doing a lot of that stuff, but it happens at inappropriate times.”

“Like when?” Kendall pushed, and Dustin chuckled, looking chagrined as he glanced at Laurel before answering.

“Well, once I had someone ask for my napkin at a restaurant,” he began quietly as the elevator door opened and they stepped inside. “Another time, I had someone request an autograph while I was using the restroom.”

“Awwww-kward,” Kendall grimaced, drawing out the word pointedly as they all chuckled in some sort of weird camaraderie.

“It really was,” Dustin admitted. “I order in for almost everything - groceries, Amazon, food delivery, even dry-cleaning. It’s the only way sometimes that I can get stuff done with a bit of privacy. These last few days here have been an unexpected blessing because of the anonymity, but the team’s announcement has been on the news a lot yesterday and today… so I think that is now over.”

And before either could respond, the elevator doors opened to a short hallway with one single door. Dustin looked at Laurel and dug in his pocket, withdrawing a key and a fob. “This is Kendall’s copy for the elevator and the door… yours is on the counter with your copy of the car keys.”

Dustin handed it to Kendall, who smiled brightly. He didn’t say another word as her younger sister opened the door, and sunlight flooded in – and both of them gasped at the sight before them.

The condo was incredible… and furnished. She looked at Dustin questioningly, realizing that their things had arrived and he’d placed them already, making it feel like a home. As they stepped inside, Laurel’s eyes took in the massive windows in the distance and saw the river he’d mentioned glittering in the sunlight. Her sister was looking around, awestruck, and spotted the stairs almost immediately.

The condo was two floors.

Kendall was charging up the stairs excitedly before she could get a word out – and felt Dustin touch her arm, catching her attention.

“Let her explore,” he said quietly. “She can’t harm anything here, and I want her to feel like she fits in. I know it’s a lot for both of you to move so quickly – and I’m really appreciative of how gracious you’ve been regarding all of these changes.”

“Is that why you bought the cars?”

“No. That’s a gift from me to you since I didn’t get you a ring.”

“So you got me a car instead of a ring – a car I didn’t ask for.”

“A vehicle you needed,” he stressed, looking a little bewildered and frustrated. “I told you the rustbucket wouldn’t have made the trip.”

“Oh, I know,” she retorted quickly. “I donated it to a school.”

“Probably should have been scrapped…”

“It ran.”

“Barely.”

“You didn’t have to buy me a car or a ring since we both know this is fake,” she said quickly, avoiding his exasperated look.

“Look, I don’t want to fight.”

“Then quit picking one…”

“OH MY GOSH,” Kendall exclaimed from above. “Is this my room? Please tell me this is my room. Wait. That’s my bed… cool… and my stuff. If this is my room, then is this my computer and game system?”

“You bought her a game system?” Laurel asked, turning to look at him.

“There’s going to be times that she is bored, and we want to talk or be alone,” he shrugged and looked away. “I mean, it’s her home now, and I didn’t see a game system when I unpacked her stuff.”

“Did you unpack my stuff?” she gaped, her face flushing brightly. “Tell me you didn’t…”

“No,” he admitted, sounding like he was strangling. “I was going to, but I think I got the wrong box or…”

“Oh gosh…”

“Yeah.”

Both of them stood there, not looking at each other, and Laurel wasn’t sure what to say. She’d had fans of her books send her some gifts over the years, and she couldn’t bring herself to throw away any of them – but nor could she display them. It was one thing to write about dragons and fantasy intimacy, but it was a whole ‘nother one to receive a crocheted version of things … or a bracelet… or a keychain. Instead, she kept everything in a treasured box, reminding herself that she had at least one fan out there.

“Um,” he began, clearing his throat, and coughed for a moment, his blue eyes huge. “I guess you want to see your library – and we need to talk.”

“About what?” she asked nervously, seeing his expression.

“Sleeping arrangements.”

“You made it clear before we married and…”

“There’s been a change.”

“What?” she whispered, stunned and looked at him.

“Look, I wanted the top floor so we had some peace and quiet – but it was a two-bedroom. I can have a Murphy bed put in the library or the nook and…”

“We’re sharing a room?” she asked in disbelief, feeling her heart turn over in her chest.

“Sort of?” he hedged.

“I don’t understand.”

“Sometimes I don’t understand myself either,” he muttered under his breath obviously counting on her not hearing it as he visibly braced himself before looking at her. “We are – but we aren’t – and it’s more of a visual thing than an explanation.”

“Okay. Show me.”

“How about I show you the library first?”

“How about we look at the bedroom arrangements?”

“Library. Gotcha…” Dustin replied, ignoring her completely, and she hesitated.

Obviously, something was wrong with the bedroom arrangements, and he was trying to hide it. She did an about-face, moving to search for the bedroom, to see what was going on, what he was hiding.

“Wait!” he hissed, racing after her, but that only pushed her to look more quickly. A bathroom, a room full of shelves, a massive window overlooking the river, and boxes upon boxes stacked nearby… the library he’d promised her.

She pushed past him, felt him grab her arms, before she jerked away frantically, her heart thrumming in her chest as she spotted the other doorway. So, the condo had not only split levels but a split living arrangement?

That meant privacy… and her heart clenched. Could he have had a change of heart?

As she reached for the door, Laurel could hear Dustin right behind her, his breath warm and uneven, his voice hushed but urgent. His fingertips brushed her elbow, sending a shiver up her spine—not from pleasure, but from the weight of the moment pressing down on her.

"Look, I messed up, and?—"

"Messed up how?" she cut in, her voice flat, guarded. She didn’t turn to face him. Didn’t dare. The doorknob was cool beneath her palm, a lifeline keeping her steady as she twisted it open.

"Laurel…"

Something in his tone—pleading, uncertain—made her pause, but only for a second. "What is it? What’s the—" She stopped abruptly, the breath stalling in her throat as her hand slipped limply from the knob.

Oh.

Her stomach plummeted as her gaze locked onto the scene before her. It would have been almost laughable if it didn’t hurt so much—two twin beds, neatly made, separated by a nightstand like a wall, a physical barrier between them that didn’t need words to be understood.

A lump formed in her throat, thick and impossible to swallow.It wasn’t just a sleeping arrangement. It was a statement.

A confirmation.

This marriage was a sham. And now, there wasn’t a shred of doubt left. Seeing those two beds, he might as well have screamed it from the rooftops over the city.

Her vision blurred as realization crashed over her like a wave, relentless and unyielding. There was no room for hope anymore. Not even a sliver. This was their reality—two people bound by duty, obligation, or whatever thread-thin excuse had tied them together, but never by love, never by warmth. Never by anything real .

"Laurel, I think we should talk."

Her body stiffened. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from the beds, from the space between them that might as well have been miles wide. Her voice came out hoarse, almost foreign to her own ears. "I don’t think that’s necessary."

Because what was left to say?

She saw it now, clear as day—this wasn’t a home, wasn’t a partnership. It was a polite arrangement, nothing more. No rolling over in the night to feel the steady rhythm of his breath. No accidental brushes of fingers under the sheets. No sleepy, tangled limbs in the morning. No quiet laughter or whispered confessions in the dark.

Nothing.

Just two people playing house, living as cordial strangers with nothing but cold space between them.

Dustin exhaled sharply, his voice a raw whisper behind her. "Laurel… please."

There was something in his tone—something jagged, pained. But it didn’t matter. The rejection wrapped itself around her heart, squeezing, suffocating. The hurt was too big, too loud, too real to ignore.

She wouldn’t beg for a place beside him.

Wouldn’t plead for scraps of affection from a man who had already made his choice. So she stayed quiet, staring at those twin beds, her heart fracturing in silence, needing space and a place to mourn the death of her crush, her feelings, because obviously the line was drawn and a little hard to ignore.

“Laurel…”

“I think I’ll unpack my office,” Laurel whispered, her voice barely more than a breath, raw and fragile. She turned away, pushing past Dustin before he could stop her; before he could see the devastation etched on her face. She couldn’t bear to meet his eyes—not when they were so breathtakingly beautiful, not when they held a promise she would never truly have.

Regret coiled tightly in her stomach, bitter and suffocating. Why had she said yes? Why had she let herself believe, even for a second, that this marriage could be anything more than a mistake? The weight of her choices pressed down on her, thick and oppressive, and she swallowed hard against the nausea rising in her throat.

And then there was Kendall.

“Laurel?” Her little sister’s voice rang through the hall, light and eager, blissfully unaware of the emotional wreckage in its path. “Hey, Laurel! Did you wanna see my room? It’s so cool and?—”

Kendall stopped abruptly, her gaze locking onto them. In an instant, her playful excitement vanished, replaced by something sharp and dangerous. Her eyes darkened, her body stiffening as her protective instincts flared.

“What did you do to my sister, Dump Truck?” she demanded, her tone ice-cold.

Dustin let out a slow breath, jaw clenching. “Nothing. And it’s Dustin , not ‘Dump Truck’—”

Kendall’s lips curled in disdain. “No, it’s definitely ‘Dump Truck.’ Or maybe ‘Septic Tank,’ because she looks like you just crapped all over her.”

“Kendall, stop it,” Laurel murmured, rubbing her temple, already exhausted.

But her sister wasn’t done.

“No, really,” Kendall continued, eyes flashing. “She looks miserable, and I’m gonna go out on a limb and say that’s your fault . Haven’t you done enough?”

Dustin exhaled sharply, his patience thinning. “Enough,” he snapped, his voice cracking like a whip through the air. The sudden force of it made both sisters freeze. Even Laurel flinched—this was a side of him she hadn’t seen before.

He took a step closer, pinning Kendall with a firm gaze. “You’ve got a mouth on you, kid,” he said, voice tight with barely restrained frustration. Then he turned to Laurel, his expression unreadable. “And I told you we need to talk. Alone.”

Kendall crossed her arms, defiance burning bright in her eyes. “Oh, I see. You wanna have a nice little chat about how you’re screwing up my sister’s life?”

Dustin exhaled through his nose, his patience hanging by a thread. “Kendall, go to your room. Play a game. Do anything but stand here making this worse. This is between me and Laurel.”

“I hate you,” Kendall spat, her fists clenched at her sides.

Laurel’s breath caught. The words hit like a slap, reverberating through the room. Kendall’s small frame trembled with barely contained fury, her youthful bravado making her look far older than her years.

Dustin’s expression hardened. He lifted a finger, his voice dropping to an even, dangerous calm. “That is the first and last time you say that in this house.”

Kendall’s glare sharpened. “Are you threatening me?” she snapped, her voice rising. “Because I’ll call the police.”

“Oh my gosh,” Laurel gasped, stepping between them as the argument exploded around her.Dustin barked out a humorless laugh.

“You’ll call the police?”

“Yes!” Kendall shot back.

“And what exactly are you going to tell them?”

“That you threatened me!”

Dustin shook his head, anger simmering beneath the surface. “That wasn’t a threat. That was a promise—get your act together, or this is going to be a very long, miserable stay for all of us.”

Kendall’s face twisted in disgust. “You think you can just buy me? Buy my sister? I think she’s insane for marrying you.”

“Probably!” Dustin roared. “I’m starting to think I am too!”

“So you admit it—you’re insane and threatening me?”

“Why, you little?—”

“STOP IT RIGHT NOW, BOTH OF YOU!” Laurel’s voice shattered through the chaos, raw and commanding.

The room fell into stunned silence.

Laurel stood in the center of it all, her body trembling from the force of her own outburst. A small, choked sob escaped her lips, and she clutched her arms around herself as if she could hold the fraying pieces of her life together.

“I’ve hit my limit,” she whispered, voice cracking. “Time and time again, over the past few days, the past few weeks… and I think I’m finally done.” She lifted her gaze, eyes glistening. “No more yelling. No more threats. No more accusations. I can’t do this anymore.”

She turned to Kendall first.

“Go to your room.”

“But—”

“GO.”

Kendall hesitated, then huffed, stomping off in a flurry of muttered curses.

Then Laurel turned to Dustin. Her heart ached at the sight of him—at the anger, the frustration, the hurt etched into his face.

“You,” she murmured, voice barely above a breath, “get away from me.”

His entire body tensed. “Laurel?—”

“I need time. We all need time.” Her voice wavered, but her resolve held firm. “So please… just go.”

For a long moment, he didn’t move. Then, with a slow exhale, he stepped back, his jaw tight. Without another word, he turned and walked away.

As soon as the door clicked shut, the weight of it all crashed down on her. Laurel sagged against the wall, pressing a shaking hand to her mouth to smother the sob that threatened to break free.

This marriage was a mistake.

And she wasn’t sure how to fix it.