CHAPTER 6

CASSIA WAS SQUEEZING her eyes out really tight, nervously waiting for Thorn's lips on hers. It was not like it was her first kiss, but it had been a long time since a man's lips would touch hers. It was uncomfortable to sit there, waiting and not moving because she didn't want to hurt her husband's feelings if she moved away, but it was nerve-wrecking. Thorn had been really nice to her. If he wanted a kiss, then she'll give it to him.

Clenching her hands, she continued waiting until she heard a loud crash.

Mabilis na nagmulat ng mga mata si Cassia para tingnan kung anong nangyari at gano'n na lang ang panlalaki ng mga mata niya nang makitang si Thorn ang may likha ng malakas na tunog na 'yon.

Nahulog ito sa kama. Mukhang dahil sa kalasingan, nawalan ito ng balanse kahit nakaupo na at natumba deretso sa sahig.

A breath of relief escaped Cassia's lips. She was thankful that the kiss didn't happen. Nasisiguro niyang dahil lang 'yon sa kalasingan ng asawa at kung hindi ito lasing ay hindi nito gagawin 'yon. He liked men after all. Kahit sinabi nito sa kaniya na magkaibigan lang ito at si Reigo, hindi ibig sabihin n'on ay mali na siya sa kaalamang lalaki rin ang gusto nito.

Because if he was not gay, then he would've told her straightaway, right? Thorn would never lie to her—he didn't look like a liar. He was really a nice guy. That was why she firmly believed that her husband bat for the other team.

Huminga nang malalim si Cassia bago dinaluhan si Thorn at tinulungan itong makatayo at makabalik sa kama saka pinahiga ito. Thankfully, he was not demanding this time. Nang mahiga ito, kaagad itong nakatulog.

Nakahinga nang maluwang si Cassia saka kinumutan ang asawa bago siya pumasok sa walk-in closet para magbihis. Pagkalabas ay itinabi niya ang bag at brief case na basta na lang niyang binitiwan kanina saka lumabas ng kuwarto para bumaba sa kusina at magluto.

Cassia cooked and eat alone. After dinner, she tidied up everything before locking every door and window around the house.

Nang makabalik siya sa kuwarto, mahimbing na ang tulog ni Thorn kaya nahiga na rin siya sa tabi nito saka natulog.

When morning came, Cassia woke up early, but Thorn was nowhere to be seen. Napalinga-linga siya, hinahanap ito. 'Yon kasi ang unang beses na nagising siya na wala na ito sa kama. Usually, Thorn always wakes up late, but looks like getting drunk made him woke up early.

Cassia left the bed and did some stretching first and simple exercise before going to the bathroom to take a bath and get ready for work. Nang matapos siyang mag-ayos, saka lang siya bumaba at natagpuan niya ang asawa na nakapaghanda na ng agahan at ngayon ay umiinom na ng kape.

Cassia entered the kitchen. She was about to greet Thorn when she remembered Thorn's demand last night. So Cassia took a deep breath, swallowed all her shyness away and greeted Thorn. "Morning, hon."

Thorn, who was sipping coffee, coughed vigorously and spurted the coffee in his mouth after hearing Cassia's morning greeting.

Kaagad namang dinaluhan ni Cassia ang asawa saka inabot ang tissue rito. "Here. Ayos ka lang ba?"

Still coughing, Thorn accepted the tissue from Cassia to wipe off the coffee on his lips, chin and shirt.

"Dapat dahan-dahan lang sa pag-inom ng kape," ani Cassia saka tinulungan si Thorn na punasan ang kape na naibuga nito sa lamesa.

Hindi makapaniwalang napatitig si Thorn sa asawa. "Y-you—you... you did this to me!" Hindi mapigilan ni Thorn na magtaas ng boses.

Napatigil sa pagpupunas si Cassia sa lamesa saka humarap kay Thorn. "What do you mean?"

Thorn wanted to pull his hair out in frustration, but then Cassia did something that made his lungs stop functioning again.

She tiptoed close to him, held his jaw with her soft hands, then she inspected his mouth in close proximity. "Mukhang hindi ka naman napaso. Thank God."

Thankfully, she let go of his jaw and pulled back. His lungs were now back in action. It was working again.

Thorn took a very, very, deep breath before clarifying what he heard. "W-what did you call me earlier?"

Cassia sat on the chair and answered Thorn nonchalantly, like it was nothing, "I called you 'hon' like you demanded last night."

Muntik nang mabuwal sa kinatatayuan si Thorn, buti na lang napahawak siya upuang nasa harapan niya. I demanded? What is she talking about?! Why would I demand such a thing?! But wait, I was drunk last night and of course, his wife would never lie to him. Fucking fuck!

Thorn's head was in turmoil, but he remained calm outside. "And you're okay with calling me 'hon'?" Thorn was trying to be cool while asking, but truthfully he was drowning in embarrassment.

"Hmm." Cassia nodded and smiled at Thorn, oblivious to the embarrassment Thorn was experiencing at that moment. "You suggested a lot of endearments like babe, baby, darling and sweetheart, but I chose 'hon'. Sa totoo lang, nahihiya akong tawaging kang gano'n pero gustong-gusto mo talaga e. Sabi mo pa nga kagabi, may endearment ang mga kaibigan mong may asawa na, dapat mayroon ka rin. You were really demanding last night."

Thorn's face was straight, but behind that straight face was a man drowning in shame. And after hearing Cassia's story, he grabbed a glass full of water and drank it like a thirsty man to hide how embarrassed he was.

Who knows that feeling embarrass could make a man thirsty?

"Ah," Thorn cleared his throat, "sorry for demanding it."

Cassia smiled remembering how cute Thorn was last night. "It's okay, you're cute while demanding anyway."

Napaubo na naman si Thorn, pero sa pagkakataong 'yon, hindi na kape kundi ang tubig na iniinom nito.

Kaagad na inabutan ng tissue ni Cassia si Thorn. "Ayos ka lang ba talaga? Gusto mo dalhin kita sa doctor?"

Palihim na napangiwi si Thorn. "Nasisiguro kong walang doctor na makagagamot sa pinagdaraanan ko ngayon."

Cassia got worried. "Gusto mo bang mag-leave ako ngayong araw para may kasama ka rito sa bahay?"

Umiling si Thorn. "No, I'm okay. Don't worry." Alam niyang mas mababaliw siya kapag isang buong araw niyang nakasama ang asawa. Ilang minuto nga lang silang magkasama, na-trauma siya, paano pa kaya kung isang buong araw? Baka ma-mental na talaga siya.

"Okay. Sige." Kapagkuwan ay may pag-aalalang tumingin si Cassia kay Thorn. "Iinom ka ba ulit ngayon hanggang malasing ka? Puwede bang hindi na? You were really out of it last night. Nahulog ka pa sa kama. I know I don't have the right to stop you, but—"

"I won't drink," mabilis na sabi ni Thorn ng makita ang pag-aalala sa mukha ng asawa. "And you have all the right. You're my wife."

Cassia looked away when she felt her heart throbbing for some reason. "Okay, then."

"Don't worry," ani Thorn. "Tatambay lang ako ngayon sa high-tech na barn na pag-aari ng kaibigan namin pero hindi ako iinom. Reigo is with me and—" Thorn stopped talking and immediately clarify things with his wife when he saw his wife's face changed at the mention of Reigo's name. "There is nothing going on, Cinnamon. Wala kaming relasyon. Believe me!"

Cassia glanced at Thorn's panicking face. "It's okay. No need to be defensive." Then she smiled at her husband. "I told you, it's okay. I understand. I know you can't trust me yet with your secrets and that's okay, but you don't need to keep anything from me. I'll support you all the way."

Thorn went silent after that, like he was thinking of something, then seconds later he spoke. "You always say that you'll support me. Does that mean you want the same support from me when you find the man you love? Because if that is so, then you would be disappointed." He looked at her in the eyes. "You're my wife, Cinnamon. I want our marriage to work. I have no plans on giving you to someone else. I promise, I'll make you really, really happy, so you have to stay with me. Annulment is out of the question."

Napakurap-kurap si Cassia sa asawa. "Bakit ako magpapa-annul? I like being your wife. You cook good, you have a very comfortable house, I get to drive a very nice car and you're not a perverted guy—well, except for last night when you tried to kiss me—"

"I did what?!" Thorn was horrified. He was concern that his action would scare Cassia. He didn't want to scare her.

But Cassia was thinking differently. Seeing Thorn's horrified face, she thought Thorn was horrified with the thought of kissing a woman. Kaya naman mabilis niyang pinakalma ang asawa. "Don't worry. Hindi naman natuloy. Nahulog ka sa kama, e. So no worries, your lips didn't touch mine. Your lips are safe."

Napalitan ng kaguluhan at pagtataka ang kaba ni Thorn. What was she talking about? Pero bago pa niya pahirapan ang sarili niya sa pagsagot sa sariling tanong, naisip niya na siguradong hindi nagtutugma ang iniisip nila ni Cassia. They were, after all, not on the same book.

Pasimpleng hinilot ni Thorn ang gilid ng noo saka ngumiti lang sa asawa at tahimik na kumain ng agahan. Pero hindi pa siya nakadadalawang subo ng pagkain ay nawalan kaagad siya ng gana. Gusto niyang mag-kape.

That's odd. I'd been eating breakfast these past few days and I enjoyed it. Napatitig si Thorn sa nilutong agahan. What's happening now?

Napatigil sa pag-iisip si Thorn nang may maramdamang humawak sa kamay niya. Ang asawa niya 'yon na sinusuri ang napaso niyang daliri.

"Kumusta na ang napaso mong daliri? Is it getting better?"

Wala sa sariling napangiti si Thorn habang pinagmamasdan ang asawa na nag-aalalang sinusuri ang daliri niya. "Its getting better. No worries."

"Buti naman." Cassia was relieved. "Mag-iingat ka na sa susunod."

As long as you don't get too close. Thorn thought. "I will."

Cassia looked up from Thorn's fingers to Thorn's face. "Ingat din sa pag-inom. Dahan-dahan lang. Ilang beses kang nasamid tuloy."

It was also your fault, Cinnamon. Thorn smiled. "I will."

Cassia nodded and went back to her breakfast. At habang kumakain, patingin-tingin ito sa pambisig na orasan.

Si Thorn naman ay nakamasid lang sa asawa pagkatapos magtimpla ng kape. For safety purposes, he didn't return to the table. He stayed next to the island counter, leaning on the counter while staring at his wife who was oblivious to his stares.

Nakasunod lang ang tingin ni Thorn sa asawa na tumayo at niligpit ang pinagkainan.

"Leave it," aniya sa asawa. "Ako na. You'll be late."

Cassia smiled at him in relief. "Thanks, hon."

Humigpit ang hawak ni Thorn sa hawakan ng tasa saka pinilit na hindi maibuga ang iniinom na kape at ngumiti lang sa asawa. He has to get used to this. Hindi puwedeng palagi siyang masasamid sa tuwing tatawagin siya ng asawa na 'hon'. Baka talagang ma-ospital siya.

With his coffee in hand, Thorn followed behind his wife as she walked to the garage with her handbag and briefcase. When they both reached the garage and Cassia was about to step inside the car, he called her.

"Cinnamon."

Napatigil sa pagsakay si Cassia sa sasakyan saka napalingon sa asawa na nakahilig sa hamba ng pintuan ng garahe. "Yes?"

"I'm awake now."

Cassia frowned. "Huh?"

Thorn sipped his coffee before saying, "Where's my goodbye kiss?" Tinuro ni Thorn ang sarili. "I'm waiting."

Natulos si Cassia sa kinatatayuan. "G-goodbye kiss?"

Tumango si Thorn habang nakahilig pa rin sa hamba. "Palagi akong tulog kapag pumapasok ka sa trabaho, pero gising ako ngayon. So, wife, my goodbye kiss, please."

Napatanga si Cassia sa asawa. "You're serious?"

"Do I look like I'm joking?"

Napakurap-kurap si Cassia sa asawa habang si Thorn naman ay tumingin sa relong pambisig.

"Hurry up, Cinnamon. Male-late ka sa ginagawa mo," babala ni Thorn sa asawa.

Sa sinabi ng asawa, lumapit kaagad si Cassia kay Thorn. Ayaw na ayaw niyang nale-late kaya naman mabilis niyang hinalikan sa pisngi ang asawa para makaalis na siya.

Thorn smiled. "Ingat sa pagmamaneho."

Nag-iinit ang pisngi na tumango si Cassia saka malalaki ang hakbang na bumalik sa sasakyan at nagmamadaling sumakay.

Thorn couldn't help but chuckle softly while watching his wife's car driving out of the garage, then he sipped his coffee and murmured, "Waking up early is not bad at all. I might wake up early tomorrow too." Tumango-tango pa siya sa sarili habang nakangiti saka naglakad pabalik sa kusina.

THORN WAS IN A GOOD mood after Cassia left for work, but not Cassia. Her cheeks were on fire because of that goodbye kiss. She was not expecting that! Kung araw-araw ganito, mas gugustuhin pa ni Cassia na hindi na lang magising nang maaga ang asawa.

Cassia was bothered about the goodbye kiss that it even affected her work. Ilang beses niyang natagpuan ang sarili na napatititig sa kawalan habang inaalala ang goodbye kiss na binigay niya sa asawa.

Nang sumapit ang lunch na hindi pa rin 'yon mawala sa isip niya, naglabas na siya ng hinaing sa matalik niyang kaibigan na mataman namang nakinig sa kuwento niya habang nanananghalian sila.

"Cass"—bumuntong-hininga si Zehannah pagkatapos marinig ang kuwento ni Cassia—"minsan ba, hindi sumagi riyan sa isip mo na baka hindi bakla ang asawa mo?"

Cassia actually gasped and cover her mouth with her hands. "Can't be. I saw them!"

Zehannah sighed. "Okay, you saw them pinning each other on the wall, but did you really saw them kissing? Like, lip-locked kissing each other senseless?"

Cassia stilled, she was still covering her mouth. "N-not really..." Cassia gasped again. "W-what I saw that night, w-what does it mean then?"

Zehannah sighed heavily. "It means one thing."

Cassia was eager to know that she even leaned in closer to Zehannah. "What?"

"Malisyosa ka," deretsahang sagot ni Zehannah kay Cassia.

Cassia leaned back, dropped her hands to her lap and pouted. "I'm not. I really saw them, Zehan. Hindi ako puwedeng magkamali."

Zehannah rolled her eyes. "Why are you being stubborn?" She tsked. "Ilang minuto lang akong nasa sasakyan noong hinatid niyo ako pero sapat na ang obserbasyon ko para masabing hindi lalaki ang gusto ng asawa mo."

Umiling si Cassia. "No. He likes men," may diing sabi ni Cassia.

Zehannah sighed at her best friend's stubbornness. "Cass ... don't be stubborn. What's wrong with you? Hindi mo ba nararamdaman na lalaking-lalaki ang asawa mo?"

Marahang umiling si Cassia habang nanunubig ang gilid ng mata. "As long as he's not the one saying it, I won't believe it. We agreed to be honest with each other. If he's not gay, then he would've told me early on. He's not that kind of a person, Zehan. He would never make a fool out of me."

"Cass..."

Cassia dried her unshed tears before taking a deep breath and smiling. "Let's not talk about it anymore. You don't have to worry about me, Zehan, Thorn is a good person. I swear, he's really nice."

Zehannah just smiled and nodded.

'Til the two finished their lunch, they were both silent and lost in their own thoughts. Ni hindi nga naubos ni Cassia ang biniling tanghalian dahil pangit ang lasa niyon para sa kaniya. Which was off because she used to like their canteen's food.

After lunch, Cassia and Zehannah went back together and went into their separate ways on the elevator. Zehannah stopped on fifth floor and Cassia stopped on the sixth floor.

Nang makalabas si Cassia sa elevator, narinig niya ang pagtunog ng cellphone niya mula sa bulsa ng blazer na suot.

She checked what it was and her lips pressed together when she saw that it was Thorn.

From: Husband

'Busy?'

Ilang segundong nag-isip si Cassia kung re-reply-an niya ang asawa, kapagkuwan ay napagdesisyunan niyang sagutin ang mensahe nito habang naglalakad siya patungo sa mesa niya.

'Not really. Why?'

Habang hinihintay ang reply ng asawa, nakarating na siya sa mesa niya at natigilan nang makitang nakaupo ang boss niya sa visitor's chair. Nang makita siya nito, kaagad itong tumayo saka humarap sa kaniya.

Hindi pa bumubuka ang bibig ng boss niya, nag-iisip na si Cassia ng idadahilan para makaiwas dito.

"Cass, we have a dinner meeting later," imporma ni David kay Cassia. "You have to be there—" Hindi natapos ang pagsasalita nito dahil sa pagtunog ng cellphone na hawak ni Cassia at kitang-kita ni David ang Caller ID ng tumatawag dahilan para magtagis ang bagang nito.

Husband Calling...

"Excuse me," kaagad na sabi ni Cassia kay David saka bahagyang tumagid para sagutin ang tawag. "Yes?"

"It should be 'yes, hon?'."

Cassia bit her lower lip. "Yes, hon?"

Thorn, on the other line, smiled. "I'm just going to ask what do you want for dinner?"

"Dinner?" Napalingon siya kay David ng maalala ang sinabi nito. "Ahm, I can't. May dinner meeting kami mamaya."

"Oh." Thorn sounded disappointed. "Late ka bang uuwi?"

"Maybe."

"Puwede ba kitang sunduin?" kapagkuwan ay tanong ni Thorn. "Hindi ako komportable na pauwiin kang mag-isa kung late ka na makauuwi."

That made Cassia smile. "Susunduin mo ako? Sige. I'll send you the address of the restaurant later." Ayaw din niyang bumabiyahe nang mag-isa kapag gabi na, kaya kaagad siyang pumayag.

"No need," biglang sabi ni David na ikinatingin dito ni Cassia. "Ako na ang maghahatid sa 'yo."

And Thorn on the other line, heard that loud and clear. Akmang magsasalita siya para sagutin ang gagong boss ng asawa nang marinig ni Thorn na sumagot ang asawa niya sa boss nito.

"No need. Susunduin naman ako ng asawa ko, saka ayaw ng asawa ko na nagpapahatid ako sa iba."

Thorn on the other line, grinned proudly, and because he was on Lysander's barn, Reigo saw his proud grin. Knowing Thorn was talking to his wife, Reigo just shook his head.

"Anyway," it was Cassia, talking to David who was gritting his teeth, "'yon lang ba ang kailangan niyo, Sir? Kausapin ko lang ang asawa ko. Hindi pa naman tapos ang lunch break ko."

David's jaw tightened as he nodded and left. Si Cassia naman ay lihim na napangiti nang makitang umalis na ang makulit niyang boss.

"Yes!" Cassia grinned happily. "Umalis na rin." Kapagkuwan ay ibinalik niya ang atensiyon sa asawa na nasa kabilang linya pa rin. "Dapat palagi kang tumatawag kapag kinukulit ako ng boss ko. Ang lakas mong panangga."

Thorn chuckled. "Siyempre. Ako pa—"

"Hi, Cassia!" anang ibang boses sa kabilang linya na ikinagulat ni Cassia. "It's me, Reigo. Puwede bang mahiram muna ang asawa mo?"

Cassia heard Thorn cussing Reigo before he spoke, "Don't listen to him, Cinnamon. He was just messing around."

Napalabi si Cassia. "Ayos lang naman sa 'kin."

Cassia heard Reigo laughing.

"You hear that, Thorn, babe?" Reigo laughed again. "May go signal na sa asawa mo."

Cassia heard Thorn cussing Reigo again. She didn't want to hear it for some reason so she ended the call and mumbled, "Liar... you said you two are just friends."

Humigpit ang hawak ni Cassia sa cellphone. Nang mapansin ang ginagawa, kaagad niyang sinuway ang sarili saka umupo na sa swivel chair niya para ituloy ang mga trabahong iniwan niya kanina para mananghalian.

Thorn called her again, but she rejected the call and sent him a message saying she was now busy with work. But Cassia knew that if she wanted to, she could spare him some time, but she didn't want to. Instead, she focused all her attention on her work 'til it was time to go to the dinner meeting.

Of course, David offered her a ride to the restaurant where the dinner meeting will be held, but Cassia just glanced at her husband's Porsche Panamera and David immediately backed off.

Ang nangyari, nag-convoy na lang silang dalawa patungo sa restaurant. Nasa unahan si David, habang nakasunod naman siya rito.

Nang makarating sila sa restaurant, iginiya siya ni David patungo sa lamesa nila. After settling themselves on the table, Cassia patiently waited for their client, but no one came even after David ordered the food and the food arrived.

Kumuyom ang kamao ni Cassia ng ma-realize kung anong ginawa ni David.

Tiningnan niya nang masama ang kaharap na naglalagay ng pagkain sa pinggan niya. "You tricked me."

Natigilan si David saka lumambot ang mukha. "I'm sorry. Ito lang ang naisip kung paraan para makipag-dinner ka sa 'kin."

Hindi makapaniwalang napatitig siya sa kaharap. "I'm married." Pinakita pa ni Cassia ang singsing kay David. "What do you think is going to happen?"

David scoffed. "You two were arranged, Cass. You don't even know him before marriage, while you've known me for years!"

Cassia let out a sighed then shook her head in disbelief. "I'm not talking to you. I'm out of here."

Mabilis na tumayo si Cassia saka naglakad paalis pero mabilis siyang napigilan sa pulsuhan ni David.

"Cass, let me explain!"

"Let me go." Pilit niyang inaagaw ang kamay pero malakas si David. "I don't want to talk to you."

"Cass—"

"Let me go!" may diing sabi ni Cassia habang pilit na inaagaw ang kamay. Cassia wanted to leave fast. She didn't want to make a scene, but David didn't want to let her go. Dahil sa ginagawa nito, napatingin na sa kanila ang ibang customer ng restaurant.

Cassia kept pulling her wrist, but David wouldn't let go. His hold on her wrist just became tighter. Cassia could feel her wrist getting sore. She was already on the verge of crying because her wrist was throbbing in pain by being held roughly and tightly when someone stepped in and pried David's hand off of her.

Kaagad na sinapo ni Cassia ang pulsuhan ng mabitawan iyon ni David saka napatingin siya sa lalaking sumagip sa kaniya.

The man was handsome and he looked familiar.

"Who the fuck are you to butt in?!" David hissed at her rescuer.

The guy crossed his arms over his chest and looked at David like he was belittling him. "I'm a friend of her husband"—then the guy glanced at her and smiled—"Phoenix Martinez, remember me, Mrs. Calderon?"

Gulat na napatango si Cassia. Kaya naman pala pamilyar sa kaniya ang lalaki.

David tsked. "Where's the manager? I need to talk to the manager."

A beautiful woman appeared beside Phoenix Martinez. Nakapamaywang ito at nakataas ang kilay. "No need. I'm the owner of this restaurant and I'm kicking you out. Leave, or I will let my husband drag you out."

Tumingin sa kaniya si David bago nagtatagis ang bagang na malalaki ang hakbang na lumabas ng restaurant.

Habang ang babaeng may-ari naman ng restaurant ay kaagad na lumapit sa kaniya saka sinuri ang pulsuhan niya.

"Are you okay?" The woman looked worried. "Halika ka sa opisina ko, lapatan natin ng pang-unang lunas ang namamaga mong pulsuhan."

While the woman's husband, Phoenix Martinez, smiled at her reassuringly. "Don't worry, I already informed Thorn before I stepped in earlier. He's on his way."

Hindi nakakibo si Cassia. She didn't want to involve Thorn in this mess, but looks like it was already too late.

"Come on," aya ng asawa ni Phoenix sa kaniya, "sa opisina ko mo na lang din hintayin si Thorn."

Tumango at nagpaubaya si Cassia. These two saved her, she had to repay their kindness.

"Maraming salamat," ani Cassia nang makapasok silang dalawa sa opisina na nasa loob lang din ng restaurant.

Ngumiti ang asawa ni Phoenix saka nagpakilala habang ginigiya siya paupo. "I'm Red, by the way."

"I'm Cassia Engelyn. You can call me Cass or Cassia."

Red smiled at her. "Nice to meet you."

Cassia smiled back. "Likewise."

Nang makaupo si Cassia sa sofa na naroon, pumasok naman sa opisina si Phoenix na may dalang dalawang ice cold pack saka ibinigay 'yon nito sa asawa nito na kaagad namang inilapat ni Red sa namamaga niyang pulsuhan.

"Masakit ba?" tanong ni Red kay Cassia.

Cassia nodded. "A little."

Red looked worried as she continued pressing the ice cold pack on her wrist. Gusto ni Cassia na siya na lang ang gumawa pero hindi siya hinayaan ni Red.

Hanggang sa bumukas ang pintuan ng opisina ulit pagkalipas ng maraming minuto at pumasok doon si Thorn.

The moment Cassia saw her husband, she felt relieved and wanted to explain what happened, but when she saw his face, she shrunk back in fear.

Because ever since she met him, this was the first time she saw Thorn's livid face. Gone was the nice and charming husband of hers.

It was... scary.