Chapter 2 - The Father’s WrathDrawn by the commotion, Ethan rushed into the kitchen just in time to see his mother berating his sobbing daughter. His eyes locked onto Lily’s reddened, blistering hand, and his breath hitched in pure horror. The sheer agony on his daughter's face triggered a primal wave of protective fury inside him.
"What's going on here? Are you okay?" Ethan demanded, stepping between his mother and Lily. He looked down at the angry burn across Lily’s skin, then up at Helen, whose face remained a mask of cold annoyance.
"She burned her hand," Helen snapped defensively, refusing to lower her gaze. "Always so clumsy and careless, just like..."
"Shut up, Mother," Ethan growled, his voice dropping to a dangerous, vibrating pitch. He pulled Lily gently into his arms, checking the extent of the burn while his heart hammered against his ribs.
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Chapter 3 - The Mess on the TableThe remaining patience Ethan possessed evaporated completely. He looked at the steaming pot of pasta still sitting on the counter, then out toward the formal dining table where Helen had been demanding perfection all evening.
Chapter 4 - Drawing the LineEthan slammed the empty pot onto the table, the metallic clatter echoing off the walls. He turned back to Helen, his chest heaving with uncontrolled anger as Lily buried her face in his shoulder.
Chapter 5 - The Breaking PointHelen bristled with righteous indignation, refusing to back down even an inch. She jutted her chin forward, glaring up at her son with venomous eyes. "How dare you speak to me like that in my own house?!"
Chapter 6 - Silence in the RoomThe kitchen fell into an absolute, stunned silence. Helen sat sprawled on the floor beside the overturned dining chair, her mouth opening and closing in sheer disbelief. Never in her entire life had anyone dared to lay a hand on her—let her own son.
Chapter 7 - Assessing the DamageEthan rushed Lily to the bathroom, gently running cool water over her burned hand while his wife retrieved the first-aid kit. Lily whimpered softly, the initial shock wearing off as a dull, throbbing pain set in.
Chapter 8 - Packing the BagsMidnight brought an eerie quiet over the grand estate. While Helen slept in her master suite across the hall, Ethan and his wife moved swiftly through the guest quarters, packing suitcases with frantic urgency.
