Something dangerous flickered across Theodore's face.
"That girl," he repeated softly, "was the only person who stayed."
Even Azrael slowly lifted his eyes toward him.
Theodore's jaw tightened slightly before he continued.
"Although… I hadn't known her for so long, but the little time she spent with us felt like forever."
"And now you want me to throw her away because you suddenly remembered you're my father?"
Mr Argentis stepped forward instantly. "I am your father."
"And what exactly does that mean to me?" Theodore shot back.
Mrs Argentis inhaled sharply.
Seraphina looked away immediately like she already saw disaster coming.
But Theodore looked completely unaffected. "You don't get authority just because we share blood," he said flatly. "You earn it."
The words landed like a slap across the room.
Eryx closed his eyes briefly. Laila looked horrified.
