Lahat ng Kabanata ng Daddy, I found you a wife.: Kabanata 11 - Kabanata 18

Leonard’s stare could’ve melted steel.He didn’t blink. Didn’t move. Just pinned Mason with that quiet, terrifying calm—like a lion deciding if the hyena was even worth the bite. The kitchen went dead silent except for the toast still popping in the background, forgotten and smoking.Mason’s smirk flickered. For the first time since I’d known him, he looked small.“Where did you get that?” Leonard asked, voice low enough to rattle the glasses on the counter.Mason shrugged, lazy, but his knuckles were white around the crumpled paper. “Hall floor. Kids drop stuff. Thought I’d be helpful.”Angel’s tiny hand squeezed mine so hard it hurt. She made that soft whimper again—barely air, but it sliced me open. I crouched fast, blocking her view of him. “Hey, baby, look at me.” She did, eyes glassy. I signed quick, clumsy but clear: Safe. I got you.Leonard stepped forward—one step, but the room shrank. “Give it to me.”Mason’s grin tried to come back, failed. He flicked the drawing like trash

The mansion felt different when we got back, like the walls had ears now, and they were all whispering the same thing: They know.Leonard killed the engine in the garage, hands still white on the wheel. Angel was asleep in her booster, head lolling, that broken bird clutched to her chest like a teddy. Her little mouth was open, soft breaths puffing out. Peaceful. After saying "Daddy" and "Veronica" like it was nothing.I unbuckled quietly, heart still racing from the session high... and the comment low. That red-bold threat under the pap pics. Some kids lose their voices for good."You okay?" Leonard asked, voice rough. He hadn't let go of the wheel yet.I glanced at Angel, out cold, then back to him. "Define okay. My kid just talked for the first time in years because of puppet therapy, and five minutes later the internet's threatening to shut her up forever. So... peachy with a side of terror?"His jaw ticked. Then he finally let go, turning to face me full. The garage light was di

I stared at the text till the screen went black.Enjoy the voice while it lasts. Some things break quiet.Same unknown number as the last threat. My hands shook so bad I almost dropped the phone. The room spun a little—the big bed, the fancy lamp, the garden view that suddenly felt like a cage with gold bars.I locked the door again—double-check, deadbolt too—then backed up till my knees hit the mattress. Sat hard. The note from this morning was still crumpled in my pocket; I pulled it out, smoothing it on the duvet like that would make the words less ugly.LEAVE OR DIE on one side. Black X’s over my face on the other. And now this.Someone wasn’t just trying to scare me. They were counting down.I forwarded the text to Leonard—thumbs flying, no message, just the screenshot and a single word: Again.Three dots appeared instant.On my way up. Don’t open the door for anyone else.I exhaled shaky, pulling knees to chest. The locket Dad gave me dug cold into my skin. I snapped it open—Mom

It was real that my eyes felt cold. I was no longer just scared; I was in a clear, hard panic that made me stop shaking and start to think. The rules broke. It wasn't just a rich man's house; I was stuck in a secret war, and the person who made my toast was a fighter.Leonard didn't turn away. He just stood there and looked at me, his eyes tired. He was waiting for me to break or fight."I need to know everything about Elias," I said in a steady, low voice. I could only feel like I had a hand on the wheel that way. "I need to know everything I am going into. Because I'm not just Angel's nanny anymore, am I? I need to know my place in this fight."He sighed, the air leaving his chest heavy. He looked like he hadn't slept in years, the full weight of the Armani name sitting on his shoulders. He didn't try to shut me up. He knew I wouldn't listen."No," he agreed, the truth simple and heavy. "You're not. You're... baggage. You got caught in the battle. But you're also the shield, Veronic