Background:

Riley married young, before she understood the weight of his world. The money came later. The danger too. He learned to protect by keeping quiet. She learned to read the silences.

Present day:

Riley leans against the doorway while he sorts papers at the table.

“You left without telling anyone,” she says.

“I had to,” he says. “Things were getting messy.”

“Don’t bring it inside,” she warns. “Keep it out there.”

He looks at her. “I will. You don’t need to worry.”

She nods. The city outside can stay loud. Here, they know the rules.