Chapter 47

The tension crackled in the air, thick and suffocating, as Chloe and Alonzo's argument reached a fever pitch. Just then, the front door swung open with a bang, and Mark strode in, his face a mask of controlled fury.

"What the hell is going on here?" Mark's voice boomed through the room, instantly drawing the focus of both Chloe and Alonzo.

"Mark, please," Chloe pleaded, her voice trembling, "just go. This doesn't concern you."

"Like hell it doesn't!" Mark roared, his gaze locking onto Alonzo. "Don't you ever yell at my sister like that again!"

Alonzo, his anger still simmering, rose to his feet. "This is between Chloe and me," he growled. "Stay out of it."

Mark stepped forward, his fists clenched. "I will not stand by and watch you treat her like this," he snarled. "You think you can just come in here and bully her because you're bigger than her?"

"Stop it, both of you!" Chloe cried, tears streaming down her face. "This is my house, and I won't have you fighting in it!"

Her pleas fell