6
My expression hardened as I looked at Nora. For once, she didn't immediately defend Julian as she typically would. Instead, she quietly said, "Ian, you've crossed a line. You shouldn't use such language."
"I'm directing it at him," I retorted sharply.
Nora remained quiet, while Julian's face grew dark with anger. I stared at him coldly. "Can't handle it?"
Suddenly, Julian lost control. He charged at me like a wild animal, snatching up a chair from the floor, ready to attack.
"I've had enough of you! Even Nora doesn't speak to me like that! Who do you think you are?"
We began to struggle, but I wasn't prepared for him to strike my head with the chair. Everything went dark as I lost consciousness.
I regained awareness in a hospital bed. It wasn't Nora or Julian beside me, but Susan, my mother-in-law.
The moment she noticed I was awake, she hurriedly apologized, "Ian, I'm so sorry. I never imagined my daughter could behave so recklessly."