Chapter 24: The beginning of the end

I woke up the next morning after spending the night wrestling with my emotions, trying to come to terms with the drastic actions I had taken. But now, as the sun peeked through the curtains, I knew there was no turning back.

I found Sean in the kitchen, nursing a cup of coffee as he stared blankly out the window. His expression was guarded, wary as if he knew what was coming.

"Sean," I said, my voice cold and calculated. "We need to talk."

Sean turned to face me, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. "What do you want, Carmen?"

"I want to talk about the changes in our marriage," I stated firmly, despite the turmoil raging inside me. "I want to take the reins, Sean. I want to be the one in control."

Sean's eyes widened in disbelief. "You must be joking," he scoffed. "After everything that's happened, you think I'm just going to hand over control to you?"

My jaw clenched as I fought to keep my composure. "I'm not joking, Sean," I said, my voice angry. "I'm dead serious. I won't be held cap