When The Puppet Falls For The Puppeteer

Between His Anger and Her Need

Myra

The morning sunlight poured through the tall living room windows brightening the whole place. Dan was discussing something with me about the chemistry assignment that we are supposed to submit today while eating the scrambled eggs.

Marcus's fork scraped once against the plate. He chewed slowly, too slowly. Then came the words that got my attention. Low. Razor-sharp.

"You didn't cook this."

My lips twitched into a polite smile I didn't feel, the kind I wore whenever I wanted to keep him from exploding. "Mrs. Irene made it," I admitted, voice light, almost apologetic. "Lillie had to be ready early for her debate I was helping her get ready -"

"I wasn't asking for excuses," he cut in, his voice clipped, cold. "I come down, and you're sitting here chatting while someone else does what you're supposed to."

"I—Marcus, it was just one morning—"

"Don't." His hand tightened around the fork. The chair legs creaked as he leaned forward, his expression unreadable, but his voice... his voice was lethal.

"So while I sat down expecting you, you thought it was acceptable to serve me something prepared by someone else?"

My chest tightened. "I didn't think it would upset you. You never asked me to cook—"

"You should know without me asking." His fork clattered onto the plate, making me flinch. "What use is it having you in this house if you can't do the simplest thing right? You had one task, Red. One."

I visibly flinched but tried to keep my smile glued to my face, brittle and wrong. "I'll cook for you right now—"

Dan's chair scraped back. He leaned forward, disbelief burning in his eyes. "This is ridiculous. She cooks for us every single day, Marcus. So what if she missed one? Why are you acting like she's some maid who's failed to report for duty?"

"Stay out of it," Marcus snapped, not even sparing him a glance, his eyes drilling into me instead.

Dan slammed his palm against the table. "No, you listen—this isn't normal."

Marcus's head snapped toward him, eyes narrowing like a blade drawn. "Careful Dan"

"You're out of line," Dan shot back, heat rising in his voice. "You take her for granted, and when she slips one morning, you act like she's betrayed you."

My heart lurched. The tension crackled like fire waiting to spread.

Dan continued, his voice rising. "You're controlling her, and it's not okay."

"Say that again," Marcus snapped, his tone low and dangerous, his whole posture leaning forward like he might actually rise from his seat.

"Dan, please." I cut him off as I stood up abruptly. My smile wobbling, but I forced it anyway.  My voice trembled but I kept it steady. "Don't. I'll do it. I'll cook. Right now."

"Please calm down...jus-just give me five minutes I will cook you breakfast" I said to Marcus with a polite smile keeping my trembling hand on his trying to calm him down when I need it the most.

Marcus leaned back slowly, finally settling, though the storm in him was far from gone. His gaze slid down and back up me, deliberate, reminding me who I belonged to.

"That's right," he murmured, softer but no less brutal. "Show me you understand where you went wrong."

The pan hissed, the air heavy with oil and silence. My hands still shook, but I plated the eggs and toast as neatly as I could, carrying them back to him with my polite smile locked firmly in place. "Here"