"He just stepped into the study."
Jackie bolted upstairs and located the study.
Pushing the door open, he strode inside without hesitation. "Dad."
Richard closed the book in his hands and returned it to the shelf. "What do you need?"
Jackie nodded curtly, locking the study door before approaching his father.
"Are you and Sandra having problems?" Richard sighed deeply as he settled into an armchair. "That girl's had a hard life. You should look after her more."
Jackie's dark brows furrowed. "Is this some guilt trip? Why should I take special care of her?"
Richard stiffened, his cloudy yet shrewd eyes locking onto his son. "What would I feel guilty about? She's been an orphan since childhood. Endured more than her share of suffering."
"Is that all there is to it?" Jackie pulled up a
