"What are you saying, Alfred?" the Old Master demanded, his voice shaking with fury. His eyes blazed, unblinking as they locked onto his son. "Why are you trying to destroy Sophie and Shane? I told you to leave those children alone, to let them live in peace."
He leaned forward, slamming his cane against the tiled floor for emphasis. "Haven't they been through enough? Haven't we all?"
But Alfred only gave a dry, joyless chuckle—more pain than humor in the sound. He shook his head slowly, like he was scolding himself for expecting something different.
"What was wrong with me?" he muttered under his breath. "How could I expect any better from you?" He raised his gaze to meet his father's. "I should've known. I should never have expected anything more. It's obvious you'd never believe me, not in this lifetime."
