**Chapter 7 – The Breaking Point**
He found Adi at his house.
He knocked once.
Adi opened the door.
Before he could speak, Kael grabbed him by the collar and slammed him against the wall.
"No more words," Kael said quietly.
Adi tried to speak, but Kael drove a fist into his ribs.
Then another.
Then one more.
Each blow measured. Controlled.
Pain, not death.
When Adi collapsed to his knees, gasping, Kael leaned down.
> "You don't get to talk about her."
>
> "You don't get to judge me."
>
> "You don't get to breathe wrong around her again."
Adi whimpered.
Kael stood.
"Be at her house tomorrow. Apologize. Or I won't stop next time."