CHAPTER 61 : Tension in the Silence

MELISSA’S POV

“Melissa, wait,” Knox called after me, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t. Not tonight. Not when I felt like I was standing on the edge of something dangerous, something that could shatter everything if I let it.

“I’ll take the other bedroom,” I said over my shoulder, my voice flat. “You can have the couch.”

I heard him sigh, the sound heavy with frustration. “You don’t have to do that. The bed’s big enough for the both of us.”

I stopped in my tracks, the thought of sharing a bed with Knox sending a jolt of panic through me. I whirled around to face him, my heart racing. “No. I’d rather sleep with the boys.”

Knox’s brow furrowed, and he crossed his arms over his chest. “Melissa, the boys are already asleep in the twin beds. There’s no room for you in there.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but he was right. I had tucked Dylan and Tyler into those beds myself and watched as they fell asleep curled up under the covers, their little faces peaceful and unbothered by the chaos swirlin