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.
"Look at her hand!" Ethan shouted, pointing directly at Lily’s injury. "She’s hurt because of your constant pressure and your cruelty! Don’t you ever yell at her again!"
His wife rushed forward, gently wrapping a clean cloth around Lily’s hand while trying to pull Ethan back. "Ethan, stop yelling at her, she’s just a child..." she pleaded, though her own eyes were filled with tears of frustration.
"I will not let her treat my daughter like this," Ethan snarled, stepping directly into Helen's personal space. "You are sick!"
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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.
Chapter 9 - The UltimatumJust as they carried the final suitcases toward the front foyer at dawn, the heavy oak door of Helen’s suite clicked open. Helen stood there in her silk robe, her gray hair neatly styled, looking down at them with cold disdain.
Chapter 10 - Stepping OutHelen stood frozen, realizing her ultimate threat had completely lost its power. Ethan didn't wait for her to conjure another insult. He took his wife’s hand in one hand and held Lily’s small suitcase in the other, pushing open the heavy front doors.
