"Mom! That's enough!" Quentin Grant's expression was grim. "We need to have a serious talk about this."
Mrs. Grant nodded. "That's what I was thinking, too. Come home for dinner tonight. You and Jean must be there. I'll be waiting for you."
She turned and walked away. At the door, she looked back one last time. "You come back alone."
Morning sunlight still dappled the floor in countless spots, but the temperature indoors refused to climb.
Quentin Grant walked over to Nora Ainsworth and cupped her face, his voice full of pain. "Nora, I'm so sorry. Does it hurt?"
Nora Ainsworth gave a wry smile. "You're not the one who hit me. What do you have to be sorry for?"
He took her hand. "Come upstairs with me. I'll put some ointment on it."
Nora Ainsworth didn't say a word, letting him lead her upstairs.
Ethan Ellsworth and Chloe Marshall were suddenly the only ones left in the living room.
