Chapter 2

The bodyguards stepped forward, gripping iron rods in their hands and tapping them against the floor with a slow, deliberate rhythm that echoed in the room like a death knell. Dad's eyes widened in sheer terror, his body trembling as he tried to scramble away. However, they yanked him back by his shirt, dragging him across the floor and dumping him at Susanna's feet like discarded trash.

I lunged, trying to wrap my arms around dad. I was desperate to shield him, but it was like I wasn't even there—my arms passed through him as if I were nothing. I was helpless to stop the iron rods that came crashing down. Blow after blow rained on him, the dull thuds filling the room. Dad curled into a ball as he shielded his head, his body slick with cold sweat. The occasional grunt of pain would escape his lips.

"Stop! Susanna, stop!" I screamed, begging her, but she did not hear me. She did not even flinch. I wanted to tear her apart, to stop this madness with my own hands, but I could not touch her—I was powerless and forced to watch as the rod struck again and again.

Then, I heard it—a sickening crack. Dad's leg snapped, the bone piercing through the skin, white against the bloody mess. I collapsed, overcome with despair. I was unable to do anything but witness the horror.

"Susanna, please... stop this," Dad gasped, cradling his broken leg as his voice trembled with agony. "You and Matthew... used to be in love. For his sake, stop. You'll regret this."

"Love?" Susanna sneered, her eyes flashing with disdain. "Is that what Matthew told you? You poor fool. He's quite the actor, isn't he? Where's your precious son now? Doesn't he care about you?"

Dad's lips parted as if to say something, but no words came out. His silence only seemed to ignite Susanna's fury. She ripped the iron rod from one of the bodyguard's hands and, with a vicious snarl, swung it down on him herself.

"Bring him out! Bring him out, now!" she screamed, each blow fueled by her rage. But dad remained silent and bore the pain, refusing to give her satisfaction.

I watched in helpless torment, my heart splitting apart at the sight of her—this wasn't the Susanna I knew. She used to be the girl who curled up in my arms, crying over a tiny cut on her finger... Now, she was the one inflicting pain, and I did not recognize her anymore. What had turned her into this?

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Susanna paused. She stood there, breathing hard, her chest rising and falling. Then a slow, chilling smile crept across her face.

"Oh, I remember now," she said, her voice dripping with malice. "Matthew has a little brother, doesn't he? Sweet kid, right?"