CHAPTER 77: BENEATH THE SURFACE

MARIE I saw him off to his car, noticing the wounds on his knuckles. He tried to hide them, but I reached into the car to gently caress them and apologize for Charles's overreaction. "You need to stay away from him. He could be dangerous," he warned. Caleb looked blank as he sat behind his father, but he smiled when I pretended to smile at him. "Just give it some thought. Whatever you decide, let me know, okay?" he said. "Okay, please. I'm sorry. That was unlike him. Charles is usually a calm person," I assured him. He gave me a nod, hiding his disappointment. I winked at Caleb and watched them drive away. The sun was scorching outside. I could almost feel my skin simmering from the heat. As I slowly walked back inside, the cramps in my lower back were relentless. My mind wandered, wondering what could have led Charles to act that way. I replayed the faces of our two neighbors—the shocked looks they gave during the scene lingered in my mind. They loved Charles, but the old coupl