Despite everything, he had never hit her.
Not once.
Not ever… till today.
She stared at him as if he were a stranger.
“Dad…” she whispered. “Why…?”
Rhys was shaking with fury, his face red, veins standing out on his neck.
“Nick told us everything,” he shouted. “Everything. How he saw you in the forest. On your knees. Pleasuring a boy like some common harlot—”
“That’s not what happened!” Iva cried in shock, her voice breaking as tears filled her eyes. “I swear, it’s not—”
“Silence!” he barked. “I’ve had enough of you.”
Her mother gasped, rushing forward. “Rhys, stop! This isn’t—”
“Rana, not one word!” he snapped, spinning on her. “You spoiled her too much, and look where it led us. This is your fault.”
Rana froze, tears streaming down her face.
Iva pushed herself upright, her wh
