Page 175 of Maddening Fixation

Her fists clenched so tightly her knuckles turned white.

The words my wife had struck a nerve she couldn’t hide.

I barely noticed.

My attention had already shifted elsewhere.

Toward the empty corner of the room where Raven’s favorite bed usually sat.

It was gone.

The knot in my stomach tightened.

I looked directly at Yarina.

“Tell me...” My voice shook despite every effort to steady it. “...tell me my cat isn’t dead.”

Yarina sighed dramatically.

“Oh...” She placed a hand over her chest in mock sympathy. “Your cat.”

A tiny smile tugged at her lips. “It died overnight.”

She shrugged. “I buried it this morning.”

Her expression became a flawless imitation of concern. “I’m terribly sorry for your loss.”

Something inside me shattered.

There was no thinking.

No weighing consequences.

Only pain and rage.

My eyes landed on the heavy ceramic mug resting atop a nearby side table.

Before anyone could react, I crossed the room in two quick strides and snatched it up.

It was solid and weighty.

Decorated with intricate blue-and-gold patterns.

I hurled it with every ounce of strength grief had given me.

The mug spun through the air.

Then—

Crack.

The impact echoed through the room.

Yarina cried out as the ceramic struck the center of her forehead.

She stumbled backward, clutching her head.

Blood spilled almost instantly between her fingers, running down her temple and across her cheek before dripping onto the polished hardwood floor.