My knees buckle, and Daddy catches me by the waist before I fall.
Would this be the last time he touches me?
Would he finally look at me with disgust?
Would I lose him?
It feels like my whole life is collapsing in on itself.
"Enough of your bullshit, Aziel," Daddy growls. "I won't stand here and listen to you attack my boyfriend."
My boyfriend.
My Daddy claims me so easily, so proudly.
"Yourboyfriend!?" Aziel's voice is pure disgust. "Ezrah, do you even hear yourself? Have you completely lost your mind?"
"No," Daddy says sharply. "Sebastian is my boyfriend, and luckily, we don't need your approval or your presence here."
Aziel's gaze snaps to me.
I've faced many monsters before. I still remember his father's eyes, filled with hate as he beat me again and again in that basement.
But not eventhatmonster's eyes compare to the hate in Aziel's right now.
It's overwhelming. But I don't look away.
I'm not sorry.
Not when everything I did led me tohim.
"You're a monster," Aziel spits. "My own little brother destroyed my marriage."
"Aziel," Daddy warns, voice low. "Enough."
"Enough?" Aziel sneers. "You think this isenough? You finally learn the truth, and you still don't see it? You never listened to me back then, and you're still not listening now. But even if you don't believe me, how can you be withhim? Withmy brother?"
He says it like being with me is unthinkable. Like I'm filth.
And maybe I am.
But it still hurts.
"I don't have to explain myself to you," Daddy says coldly. "You and I ended a long time ago. Leave."
Aziel takes a step closer, and that's when I realize we're not alone. Malakai and Ryker have appeared behind us. They're the only reason Aziel hasn't lunged at me. His whole body shakes with rage, his fists trembling like he's barely restraining himself.
"You're choosing this manipulative little fucker?" Aziel screams. "This monster? He's the one who orchestrated everything! He's the one who made it look like I cheated on you!"
I flinch. Not because I'm afraid of him, but because I'm terrified I'll lose my Daddy for good.
Daddy's gaze shifts from Aziel to me. He looks composed, but I see it… the pain, the confusion, the war behind his eyes.
My chest tightens with guilt, shame, and love so strong it physically hurts.
Forget every time I've stared death in the face. This – this right here – is the scariest moment in my life. Waiting to hear my Daddy's decision.
"You should go," Daddy says finally, eyes locked on Aziel. "You're not welcome here."
