Chapter 12

Lauren's POV

I stared at him, breathing heavily, my hand still tingling from the force of the slap I’d just landed on his face. It wasn’t premeditated — I hadn’t even realized my hand was moving until it had already struck him. It was like the rage inside me took control, like something deep within had snapped.

This was the first time I had ever raised my hand to Ethan. In all our years together — through the highs and lows — I had never done anything like this. And judging by the stunned look on his face, he hadn’t expected it either. We were both frozen in the moment, caught off guard by how far things had spiraled.

I opened my mouth to speak, my voice softer now. A part of me wanted to de-escalate — for Elena’s sake. We had a daughter upstairs who deserved better than this. Better than parents who couldn’t even hold themselves together.

“I’m so…”

“How dare you raise your hands at me,” Ethan snapped, cutting me off.

I blinked. M