47. Consoling him

Warning his sister and his family he pulled Delilah with him back to their room. Delilah's heart was aching seeing her husband like this.

The moment they reached their room, he left her hand and then turned back to her.

Stephen's directive was clear and resolute, "Delilah, just stay away from Ashley and Jonathan. I don't care what others think or feel about this. But I don't want you to even talk to them. Just ignore them as much as you can. Did you get that?"

Delilah was rendered speechless. She couldn't comprehend the sudden shift in Stephen's stance. Just moments ago, he had fiercely defended her, and now he was instructing her to distance herself from his sister and Jonathan?

Stephen, growing impatient with her silence, demanded, "Did you hear, Delilah, what I am asking you to do?"

Delilah finally found her voice, a mix of disbelief and hurt in her response, "I can't believe you're asking me this. In fact, I just couldn't believe you raised your hand..." Her words trailed off, una