He stepped sideways.
I blocked him again.
This time, his hand shot out and caught my upper arm.
Pain flared through the small burns I already had there from hours at the grill.
I did not cry out.
I looked down at his fingers.
Then back at him.
“Take your hand off me.”
Something in my tone made the nearest guests retreat.
Daniel did not release me.
Instead, he leaned closer and spoke through clenched teeth.
“You have no idea what you just started.”
I almost laughed.
He still believed he was the only person in our marriage capable of starting something.
The front doorbell rang inside the house.
Once.
Then again.
No one moved.
Daniel’s fingers loosened on my arm.
Evelyn turned toward the kitchen hallway.
A third chime echoed through the house.
Then Daniel’s phone buzzed in his pocket.
He pulled it out.
The color drained from his face as he read the message.
“What?” Evelyn demanded.
Daniel lifted his eyes toward me.