Chapter 4 - THE BREAKING POINT
Daniel didn't answer immediately. He slowly turned his head to look toward the dining room.
The long mahogany dining table was completely bare. No abandoned plates. No half-eaten food. No sign that a seven-year-old child had ever been served a meal that evening.
Daniel turned back to his wife. His chest rose and fell in heavy, jagged breaths. The blood drained from his face, replaced by a dark, dangerous flush of absolute fury.
CHACK!
The sharp, explosive crack of a palm striking cheek echoed through the silent mansion.
Daniel slammed his hand across Victoria’s face with a protective rage that shattered the quiet of the house. The force of the strike spun Victoria around; her wine glass shattered against the edge of the island, and she collapsed onto the hard kitchen floor, clutching her burning cheek.
"So," Daniel growled, his voice vibrating with a primal, terrifying authority. "You let my daughter eat out of the dog’s bowl?"
Victoria lay on the tile, her styled hair disheveled, her eyes wide with shock and humiliation. But even on the floor, her ego fought back. She glared up at him, her voice shrill:
"She needed to be disciplined, Daniel! You spoil her! Someone has to teach her how to behave!"
Daniel didn't give her another word. His expression hardened into pure granite.
He turned away from Victoria as if she no longer existed. He walked over to Emma, dropping heavily onto his knees beside her on the cold floor. The powerful, terrifying man who had just struck his wife instantly melted away as he looked at his daughter.
He reached out with gentle, trembling hands and took the stainless-steel bowl from her tiny fingers, setting it far out of reach.
"Look at me, sweetheart," Daniel whispered, his voice cracking with emotion.
May you like
Emma slowly raised her head. Her eyes were red, brimming with fresh tears, reflecting the heartbroken man kneeling in front of her.
Emma’s lips trembled. "She told me not to tell you."
