When he shuffled into the kitchen, barely awake, I forced a cheerful “Morning, honey.” The boys joined in with their bright, “Good morning, Daddy!”

Thane didn’t respond. He looked right past us, grabbed a piece of dry toast, and headed back to the bedroom, grumbling about a big meeting. I recalled he was preparing for a major work presentation that day, so he was not only getting ready but changing into his work clothes.

I mentally kicked myself for thinking the pancakes or the boys’ cheer might brighten his mood. I was mistaken.

“Elowyn, where’s my white shirt?” he barked from the bedroom, his voice slicing through the hallway like a whip.

I wiped my hands and walked in. “I just put it in the wash with the other whites.”

He spun around, eyes wide with disbelief. “What do you mean it’s in the wash? I told you to wash it three days ago! You know that’s my special shirt! I have that huge meeting today. You can’t even handle one simple task?”

The storm erupted. He stormed into the dining room, and I followed.

“I forgot, I’m sorry. I’ve been feeling really unwell lately.”