ued the command, and two of his men rushe

and she fought desperately against their grip. She twisted towa

, but Archie yelled sharply, "Just

e walked straight up to Thea. Without hesitation, he caught her c

y, her eyes unfocused. "Wh

his voice dropped to a cold whisper. "Listen carefully. Stay with Mr. Kirb

flattering smile onto his face. "Mr.

g heavily on his cane, Devin let out a sati

she cried and struggled, "Mom, help me!

ant until nothing w

orward and struck Archie hard across the face. "Are

d with fury, "Do you think I wanted thi

ve forced her to

Devin would have shown mercy? I did it becaus

's body, and she sank to the

an could hear every curse and ever

hin fabric of her clothes as her n

nded over by their own father t

ing hatred. If they had not been so desperate to force her into marry

out a single person steppin

rled in on herself as hunger and thirst slow

he whispered weakly, her lips split and dry,

e door burst open w

ssion filled with open contempt. "Your

ian tried to steady herself, bu

ing patience as she grabbed Vivia

d heavily onto the floor. Lifting her head, she sa

ian, sharp and icy as it tr

soft yet unsettling. "Do you have any idea

her feelings and answered faintly, "I was

ivian's hair. "Then listen carefully. Those three days were wor

ung her hand and struck

up immediately, and the sharp ringing in her e

r heel and drove it down hard o

and she screamed as her h

ea's mouth as she kicke

raising her arms to protect her head and fa

re doing?" Archie's voice sudd

g down her face. "Dad, Mom, this is all because of Vivian! If i

rward, she struck Vivian with full force. "You filthy little bitch! Look at what you

ngue, yet she still lifted her eyes with stubborn resolve. "I do

ched up a thick glass ashtray, veins standing out on his forehead.

came down

, her eyes burning with fury. "Lay a hand on

chie snarled as he tor

ed a cup from the table and

ely lost your min

ea rushed at V

ch. Fruit, ornaments, even ashtrays flew from her hands

d out much longer. Thea so

ys of bottled rage finally surfaced. Lifting her f

d through the house as t

his body radiating strength. Sunlight poured in behind him, catching

living room. Every mov

of her bruised cheek and the blood smeared at the corner of her mouth. A glacial fury s

into the room. Thea and her parents were pre

ant with us?" Thea shrieked

ivian. He slipped off his jacket, the fabric warm and scented faintly o

e room seemed to shrink around his silent wrath. "My name is William Lewis," he said ca

lief written all over her. "You are her husband?" she blurted out, her voice sha

to the evening news. "Zeus Group's CEO, William Lewis, arrived in

f color. Her lips parted, but only a broken sound escaped before she finally fo