Chapter 248

Daniel clenched his small fists, nails digging deep into his palms. He looked up at the father he once admired, stubbornness flickering like stars in his eyes.

"Daddy, you hurt Mommy." His voice trembled. "You promised to protect her."

Andrew Lucas's pupils constricted violently. The frail child before him bore traces of his own childhood features. The blood connection stabbed his heart, only to be drowned by raging fury.

"A pawn." He sneered. "You're just her tool to seize the Lucas fortune."

Daniel shuddered, tears welling but refusing to fall. He couldn't understand why his father's gaze had turned so terrifying, as if facing an enemy.

"I'm not a cripple." Daniel straightened his spine. "Mommy says I'm her bravest little soldier."

Andrew felt a needle-like pang. He remembered this child nearly dying to save him at the cliff. But deeper hatred swallowed the thought.

"Get out." His voice was glacial. "If I see you again, I'll throw you off this building."

Daniel's lips quivered as tears finally spilled. He wiped them quickly, standing tall like a miniature adult.

"Mr. Lucas." He imitated grown-up speech. "From today, I have no father."

The words stabbed Andrew's heart like a knife. He clenched his fists, nails drawing blood, yet felt no pain.

"Mommy." Daniel turned to hug Susan's leg. "Let's go home. I'll protect you. No bad people will hurt you again."

A metallic taste rose in Susan's throat. Suppressing the urge to vomit blood, she gently stroked her son's soft hair.

"Mommy's sorry." Her voice was feather-light. "You shouldn't have seen this."

Watching them embrace, Andrew's chest tightened painfully. He should feel triumphant—so why did his heart feel shredded?

Susan leaned against the wall to stand, each step like walking on blades. She faced Andrew, her pale face resolute.

"Mr. Lucas." She said calmly. "Let's end this."

Andrew's pupils dilated. He seized her wrist with bone-crushing force.

"End?" He laughed coldly. "You think you deserve that? Just a whore who spreads her legs for money."

Susan's lashes fluttered, but she smiled with relief. Clean breaks were best.

As she turned, blood trickled from her lips. Alexander Grant moved to support her, but she gently pushed him away.

The stairwell wind lifted her hair. Darkness swallowed Susan's vision as her body fell like a severed kite string.

The last sound she heard was Andrew's heartrending scream.