Chapter 239

[Cordelia]

"Stop this madness," I scream in Henri's face. "I do not love you. I will never love you. My heart belongs to..."

The sting of his hand on my face knocks me over. I wrap my arms around my son protectively, shielding him from the fall, and keeping him from further harm. He is balling uncontrollably now, confused and scared. The red mark on his leg has started to bleed.

The door slams open and Atlas charges forth like a raging bull, slamming his fist into Henri's face, knocking loose one of his perfect teeth. The two men fall to the floor, Atlas' fists striking him over and over again.

"Atlas stop! You'll kill him," I beg. But Atlas doesn't listen. Enraged, he is more like a beast than a man, unable to turn off whatever primal instinct made him reach out and protect his family by force.

Clark rushes into the room along with Tilly, whose eyes are as wide as saucers. Seeing me on the floor, she drops her knees and pulls me into her arms as her fiance grabs his brother's arms