A suffocating darkness had settled over the duke's estate, the air thick with dread.
Richard stormed home before court even ended, his face black with fury.
He marched straight to Jade Villa, rage burning in his chest.
The door exploded inward as he kicked it open. Genevieve and Ivy shrieked, leaping to their feet.
Richard crossed the room in three strides and struck Genevieve across the face without warning.
She screamed, clutching her cheek as she crumpled to the floor.
His hand rose again, but Ivy threw herself at his feet, sobbing. "Father, please! Don't hurt Mother! Punish me instead—it's my fault!"
That single word—"Father"—cut through his rage like a blade.
He stared down at his daughter's tear-stained face, and his fury wavered.
Ivy had always been his weakness. Since childhood, she'd soften his anger with that gentle plea of "Father" until his heart melted completely.
