I’ll never forget the look on her face in this moment. It’s somewhere between daring me, and fear that I’m about to do what she fears I’m about to do.

I won’t disappoint.

I set the scissors at the bottom of the dress and cut my way straight through the middle of it. And then through the middle of those two pieces. And then through the middle of those smaller pieces. And do you know what? It feels good. Like the pressure inside releases slowly. Just like that, my problem is gone. She can no longer wear the dress. If only I could rid myself of all other issues so easily.

I set the pieces on the worktop, and I look at her. She’s in a state of shock, dazed, and then she glances from what’s left of the dress to me.

“I can’t believe you just did that,” she splutters, her limp hand indicating the scraps of material decorating the island. Honestly, neither can I. But if she thinks I’ll leave that dress in her wardrobe to brandish like a weapon every time she’s got the hump with me, she’s wrong.

Which is crystal clear to her now the dress is no more.

“Don’t play games with me, Ava,” I say quietly but firmly.

Her mouth drops open, and I watch, slightly amused, as she searches for some words.

Eventually, her fuzzy mind gives her some instructions and she shoves a finger in my face. “You’re crazy!”

Short and to the point. And she’s not wrong, but she’s got a fucking nerve to sound so accusing when it is her sending me that way. “I fucking feel it,” I yell. I have so much more to say. So many words to shout. So many rules to lay down. But, fuck me, I’m exhausted by my anger. “Get your arse to bed.”

She recoils, stunned, as I heave before her. “I’m not getting in bed with you.” Her shoes are removed, and she stomps away, muttering as she goes. I hear the stairs shake under her angry feet, and then a door slam. I stare at the empty space before me, knowing I need to calm the fuck down before I go after her. “For fuck’s sake,” I mutter, swiping up the scraps of material and stuffing them in the bin. “The woman is impossible.” I get more water, my throat feeling sore. Then I make my way to my room.