The headlights drew closer until I could make out the shape of a dark pickup truck slowing beside me. For a split second, I thought of running into the trees, afraid it might be someone who meant me harm. But when the window rolled down, a familiar voice called out through the rain, “Janelle, is that you?” I blinked through the water dripping into my eyes.

And there he was, Malcolm Roads. He was a few years older than me, broad-shouldered with that rugged, worn in look of a man who worked with his hands. He was a contractor known around town for building decks, fixing roofs, and never cutting corners. He wasn’t flashy, but he had the kind of reputation that made people trust him.

Lord have mercy, girl. Get in this truck before you catch your death,” he said firmly, leaning over to push the door open. My pride screamed at me to refuse to keep walking like I didn’t need saving. But my body was too cold and heavy to argue. I climbed into the passenger seat, my soaked clothes sticking to the leather.

The blast of warm air from the heater hit me, and I shivered so violently my teeth chattered. Malcolm glanced at me, his brows drawn low in concern. What in the world are you doing out here in this storm? Where’s Darius? The mention of my husband’s name made my throat tighten. I pressed my hands to the vents, trying to find warmth, but it was like the question peeled away the thin layer of strength I had left.

For the first time that night, I cracked. The words tumbled out in broken pieces. He He made me get out. Said I needed to learn respect. Just left me there like I was nothing. My voice shook, the humiliation raw. I hated how weak I sounded. Hated that someone from town was seeing me this way. But Malcolm didn’t look surprised.

He just exhaled slowly, gripping the will tighter. I tried to warn folks about him, Malcolm said quietly after a pause. Years back, your cousin Sheay was seeing Darius. I told her I’d seen flashes of his temper. Told her she ought to be careful. Guess she moved on before it got too deep. I always worried he’d do somebody wrong one day.

His words stunned me. No one had ever said anything like that to me before. To the world, Darius was a charmer, but Malcolm had seen through it. The truck was quiet except for the steady beat of the wipers and the hum of the heater. I sat there hugging myself, torn between shame and a strange sense of relief.

Shame because Malcolm had witnessed me at my lowest. Relief because for the first time all night, someone believed me without question. Malcolm kept his eyes on the road, his tone calm but firm. You don’t deserve this, Janelle. Don’t let him convince you otherwise. His words lingered in the warm air between us, both comforting and heavy.

And though I wanted to hide my face, I felt something shift inside me. Like maybe I wasn’t as alone as I thought. By the time Malcolm pulled up in front of my house, the rain had slowed to a drizzle, but I was still dripping wet. My hair clung to my face, my shoes squaltched with every step, and all I wanted was a towel and silence.

But when I opened the front door, silence was the one thing I didn’t get. Darius was standing in the living room, arms crossed, his expression sharp enough to cut glass. For a moment, I thought maybe guilt would soften his face, that he would see me soaked and shivering, and finally realize he had gone too far.

But his eyes narrowed as they flicked to the headlights, still glowing outside. “You had Malcolm Rhodess bring you home?” His voice carried both disbelief and disgust. I swallowed hard, too tired to explain, but he didn’t wait for an answer. He stepped closer, his words sharp and fast. Do you have any idea how that looks? My wife climbing into another man’s truck in the middle of the night.

People will talk. Do you want me to look like a fool in this town? I stood frozen, water dripping onto the hardwood floor. My lips parted, but no words came. It was as if he had flipped the story upside down, painting himself as the victim while I was the one on trial. “I didn’t ask for this,” I finally whispered.

“You left me out there in the rain. He scoffed, shaking his head. No, Janelle, you disrespected me first. Always nagging, always suspicious. And now you’re riding around with Malcolm like I don’t provide for you, like I’m not enough. The words used to crush me. They used to dig straight into my chest until I believed them. But standing there drenched and exhausted, I felt something different stir inside me.