Chapter 2
The sound of his daughter’s broken voice struck Alexander with the force of a physical blow. The cold, calculating demeanor of the billionaire vanished in a microsecond, replaced by a primal, blinding surge of paternal panic and rising fury.
Without a single word of hesitation, Alexander reached out and lifted Sophia entirely off the cold concrete. He pulled her securely into his arms, pressing her tiny, trembling body tightly against his broad chest. He didn't care about the grease or the dirt ruining his expensive dress shirt and suit jacket.
Sophia clung to him desperately. She dropped the chicken bone and gripped a small, discarded piece of bread she had managed to salvage, pressing it hard against his suit lapel as if terrified someone would snatch it away.
Alexander searched her face, his own expression draining of all color. He noted the dark circles under her eyes, the unnatural thinness of her arms, and the profound, animalistic fear in her posture.
"Why," Alexander breathed, his deep, slightly raspy voice shaking violently with heartbreak and a rapidly escalating, terrifying fury. "Why look for food in the trash, Sophia? What is happening?"
"I was so hungry, Daddy," Sophia sobbed, burying her dirty, tear-stained face into his neck. She spoke between ragged, terrified hiccups. "I'm sorry. I won't do it again. Please don't be mad."
"I am not mad at you, my sweet girl," Alexander whispered, his large hand gently stroking the back of her tangled hair. "I am never mad at you."
May you like
He stood up slowly to his full height. The tender, heartbroken father remained wrapped around the child, but the man staring at the heavy double doors leading back into the ballroom was a monster awoken. The cinematic lighting from the hallway caught the terrifying, absolute rage burning in his eyes.
Someone in his house had starved his daughter. And he was going to burn their world to the ground.
