Nicole swallowed hard, the ache in her chest growing heavier. "He keeps saying he's trying to protect me."
Dixie's eyes softened, but her voice grew firm. "Protection without honesty is control, my dear. And when one carries that much darkness inside, control can slip."
Nicole's hands twisted in her lap. "Then what do I do? If I confront him, he'll only shut me out again."
"Then you wait," Dixie said, pacing slowly toward the window, her reflection shimmering in the frost-covered glass. "Wait, and watch. But don't mistake his silence for peace. The more still he becomes, the louder the storm brewing inside him."
Nicole followed her with her gaze. "Dixie… do you think the darkness will consume him?"
There was a long pause. Dixie's lips parted slightly, but no words came for a moment. Finally, she turned to face her.
