Chapter 6
The silence following the opening of the heavy oak door was absolute. The cinematic, bright lighting of the kitchen felt like interrogation lamps glaring down on the guilty.
The man who had breached the Bennett household stood in the foyer, the cold night air swirling around his dark overcoat. He was a towering figure, his fair, rosy skin lined with age and absolute authority. His presence commanded an unspoken, terrifying respect that sucked the oxygen from the room. The sheer power radiating from him was more intimidating than a loaded gun.
He slowly unbuttoned his overcoat, his icy eyes never leaving the kitchen.
David finally found his voice, though it cracked horribly. "Alexander..." he stammered, frantically taking a step backward. He pulled his trouser leg completely free from Sarah's exhausted grip. "Alexander, I... I can explain."
Alexander Sterling didn't respond to the pathetic pleading. He walked slowly into the kitchen, his polished shoes clicking ominously against the pristine tile. He bypassed David entirely, treating him like a ghost, and moved directly to where Sarah lay crumpled against the marble island.
He knelt gracefully, ignoring the blood and dirt staining his trousers.
"Dad," Sarah gasped, her voice breaking as relief overwhelmed her pain. Tears streamed freely down her cheeks. "My leg... he pushed me."
"I know, sweetheart. I know," Alexander murmured, his deep voice thick with suppressed emotion. He gently brushed the hair from her sweaty forehead. "You did beautifully. You protected Emma."
He looked past Sarah, his eyes softening as he spotted the terrified four-year-old. "Come here, little bird," he whispered softly.
Emma didn't hesitate. She scrambled forward on her bare feet and threw her arms tightly around Alexander's neck, sobbing quietly. He held her securely against his chest, wrapping his other arm protectively around Sarah's shoulders.
He had secured his bloodline. Now, it was time to deal with the infection.
Alexander slowly lifted his head. The gentle father vanished in an instant, replaced by the ruthless king of the underworld. He looked directly at Margaret Bennett, who was still standing frozen near her crystal wine glass.
"Margaret," Alexander said, his voice dropping to a lethal register that made her flinch violently. "You watched your son break my daughter's leg, and you stood there drinking wine."
"Alexander, please," Margaret choked out, her hands flying to her heavy pearls. "It was a domestic dispute! Couples fight!"
"You're right," Alexander agreed smoothly, a dark, merciless smile curling his lips. "It is not your place."
He turned his head to lock his terrifying gaze onto David, who was currently shaking so violently he looked ready to collapse.
"You told her to say she slipped," Alexander stated, repeating the words Emma had screamed into the emergency phone.
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"I... I was angry!" David cried, tears of pure panic spilling down his face. "She provoked me! You know how she gets, Alexander! She pushed me to the edge!"
"You have absolutely no idea," Alexander whispered, his voice cold as ice, "where the edge truly is."
