a

Pain exploded-hot, sharp. Blood ra

voice cracking, trembling, echoing off the

on grip. Hard. Pain shot up

es wild, furious. "Let him destroy this bastard! If it w

's mother, looked like

family spat on us! Because of him, Violet went and married Benton Sylver! That man should

he floor. Boa

ss of Benton Sylver! And instead... look at you! Rotting here

papers, I want to tear her apart! And you... you threw everything a

ng fingers like they wanted to scratch Cassi

gritted his teeth, holding the broken

Six years! SIX YEARS because of you! You

the stick

l

move. Not a step. Blood ran down his f

ad! Stop it! Stop hitting him!" She ran forwa

. "Mom... Dad... six years ago, it was my fault. I failed.

ack. I swear. I'll fix it. I'll protect Ardenne. I'll pro

ust. "Useless fool! What good are you? You

d, voice breaking.

h a snap if the Sylver say! Tomorrow you'll divorce him-both of you! I

ing me! Six years ago you decided everything. Now

slapping her thigh. "Always cryi

h

ted from behind th

torn, arms shaking. She ran to Henry, threw herself

Mommy! If you want to hit someone... hit me! It's my fault

six years ago, it was my fault. I failed. I di

. I'll make it right. I'll take care of you bo

through her voice. "You worthless, crazy fool! What can you offer?

tears running fast.

untouchable now? One word from Sylver and he disappears again! Tomorrow, you'll divorce h

you just let me live my life? Six years ago, y

apping her thigh. "Always crying!

h

ted from behind th

ms shaking. She ran forward, throwing herself a

Mommy anymore! If you want to hit someone... hit me. It's my

oom f

lowly, his grip loosened, and he crouched, patting Ardenne's he

s little bo

, dropping to her knees, h

"I... I didn'

trembling. "Enough, Dad! G

uld say

heavy and defeated. "Let's go,

of hatred and pain. "Fine. But this madman

anking him roughly toward th

behind them. Outside, Martha and Henry's curses

b. For a long while, h

le cut through the silence. The door

, sir!" h

than words," Lyra began, bre

d a hand. "No

wly. "And don't make a scene. S. City'

et. He guessed they'd recognize you. I tried to stop him, b

ind us a house. Tomorrow, Ardenne and Emma get a proper home. Not that... that hole. Find th

ou're not going to

You c

houlders tig

heir tiny refuge. Behind that rusty iron door was everything he had failed to protect. From tonig

e creak

tied messy, a small pack of b

"Dad... you haven't eaten. These are biscuits Mum

arnest voice... it cut through every

ilence. She sat beside him.

n the bag, no

nging her feet

l voice, uncertain: "A

ooked dow

ssed you. Everyone has a dad... except me. Will you leave again? Grandpa... Gr

t twisted. Eve

dy... don't leave again, ok

em. They blurred his vision, all he

ve again," h

on him. "Did you... have it hard outside? You di

y smile, wiping a tear tha

you, you tell me, okay? Don't keep i

nly. "Oh! I almost forgot!

he bounced up, tugging at h

he far side of the park, near the abandoned public restroom. Wild we

rowth... a littl

il, sitting beside a pile of dirty

out. "Bad little puppy!

, Daddy! Isn't it amazing? I picked all these up myself! You can sell

his mouth. His chest heaved like it wanted to tear itself

s on his arm. "Daddy... don't cry," she whispered, voice

ers, letting the sobs shake him. "I... I won't let any