I’d just given birth when I ran into my ex-husband in the hospital hallway. “Congratulations,”

I stood in the hospital hallway, my mind reeling from the strange interaction I’d just witnessed. Michael’s message on my phone seemed to glow with urgency, its words seeping into my thoughts: “Leave him. You don’t know who that man really is…”

I looked at David, who was now busy unpacking the shopping bags he’d brought, seemingly unfazed by the encounter. A chill crept up my spine at the memory of his smile—it was a side of him I hadn’t seen before, a side that seemed to unsettle Michael to his core. Why had Michael reacted that way? What did he mean by his warning?David glanced up and caught my eye. “Are you okay?” he asked, concern etched into his features, dissolving the coldness I’d seen moments before.