Chapter 2

Feeling the secondhand embarrassment, Alicia and Hannah quickly changed the subject to Alicia's and my wedding date.

Hannah cleared her throat and said, "Since you two are doing so well, we won't treat you unfairly. As a gesture of security, I'm giving you a 3% stake in the company. Consider it a little gift from me."

I quickly declined. "No, Mrs. Bennett. That's too much."

But all I could think was that a father-in-law like him would drive me insane. Forget 3%. I wouldn't marry into this family even for 30%.

Besides, my family had its own company. A stake that small didn't really mean much to me.

Mike, however, had sharp ears. The moment he caught the word "stake", he threw another tantrum. "What are you talking about? You're giving my things to this punk? How dare you deceive the Prince!"

He stormed around most of the table and lunged at me. His fist grazed my chin, leaving a burning sting.

Alicia immediately threw herself between us. She had officially hit her limit and raised her voice. "Dad, stop it!"

The words had barely left her mouth when Mike completely lost it. "You're yelling at me? You're actually yelling at me because of this outsider?"

Like a madman, he grabbed the dishes off the table and hurled them our way. A ceramic plate shattered right at my feet, spraying shards against my pant legs.

Hannah stepped in to restrain him, but with a sharp clink, a glass struck her right on the temple.

Blood started trickling down the side of her face, sending a jolt of panic through me.

"This is all your fault! It's your fault for bringing this man home! None of you love me anymore. My life is so miserable!"

Mike gasped for air through his frantic sobbing until suddenly, his eyes rolled back, and he fell straight backward.

It took ages to finally calm him down and get his breathing normally again.

Hannah let out a heavy sigh. "Dante, I'm so sorry you had to see that."

I shook my head quickly. "It's fine, Mrs. Bennett. I-I should probably head out. I'm sorry for the trouble today."

Alicia grabbed my wrist. "Don't go. It's pitch black out, and your place is so far away. Just stay the night."

I looked out the window. It was indeed dark, and getting a cab in this neighborhood was practically impossible.

After hesitating for a moment, I nodded.

Once Hannah helped the exhausted, sleeping Mike back to his bedroom, Alicia and I sat in the living room. The aftermath of dinner was still all over the place.

The silence stretched on for a long time before Alicia finally spoke.

"My dad has been like this for as long as I can remember," she said, looking down and rubbing her fingers together.

"Ever since I was three, I had to learn how to manage his emotions and make sure he wouldn't cry, get angry, or feel left out…"

I frowned. "Since you were three?"

"Yeah."

Alicia looked up at me, completely casual about it. "Isn't that normal? A child is supposed to take care of her father."

The more I listened, the more twisted it felt.

Normal?

What kind of family would force a toddler to manage an adult man's emotions?

This was emotional manipulation and a complete reversal of roles. The adults were treating their child like an emotional crutch.

Seeing the look on Alicia's face, as if this were perfectly normal, I suddenly felt a wave of pity.

She had been brainwashed with this mindset from infancy. She had no idea what a healthy father-daughter relationship actually looked like.

"Listen to me," I said, looking her dead in the eye. "This kind of relationship is toxic. Your dad is supposed to take care of you, not the other way around.

"In a normal, healthy family, the parent looks after the child, and the child shows appreciation. Not this."

Alicia froze. Her lips parted slightly, but no words came out.

We stayed up talking for hours. She told me all about his tantrums, how she had to soothe him, every crying fit, and every time she gave in.