She'd always known Linda held a sacred place in Alex's heart, almost like a mother to him.
And whatever had happened this afternoon at the hospital had rattled him in ways she didn't fully understand.
She knew something had happened. Something involving Linda. She didn't know exactly what, but she was sure it was connected to her.
She'd noticed Linda panic when Alex wasn't with them, rushing immediately to find him, her worry raw and urgent.
And then, when she found Alex in the parking lot… the state he was in, the way he carried himself, the shadows under his eyes… left no doubt. Something had happened between them.
And still, she'd thrown that name at him like a weapon.
The anger built, hot and bitter in her chest. Not at herself, not yet... but at Linda.
Everything Alex had done tonight... the rage, the cold fury, the way he'd looked at her like she was something vile... it was all because of that bitch.
