Chapter 5

The violent pounding on the front door started just past two in the morning.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

"Claire! Open this damn door right now! Have you lost your mind?"

Mark's muffled roar rattled the frosted glass panels of the entryway.

I didn't rush downstairs in a panic. I had already checked on Liam an hour ago; my eight-year-old was fast asleep at the end of the hall, completely undisturbed.

I tied the belt of my silk robe securely around my waist, walked down the stairs, and approached the foyer with measured steps.

I unlocked the deadbolt and cracked the heavy…