Melissa’s knees felt weak as she joined her trembling hands in front of Alec, her voice breaking into desperate pleas.
“Please… don’t do this. Don’t tell him anything. He’s still not well—he won’t be able to take the truth,” she whispered, her eyes darting toward the frail figure of her sleeping father.
But Alec’s steps were deliberate, predatory, closing the space between them until the shadows of his towering frame swallowed hers. He caught her clasped hands in his, his grip cold and unyielding.
“No, wife… don’t,” he said, his tone dripping with mockery. “Don’t beg me. I can’t see you like this.” His smirk was cruel, but his eyes burned darker. “You’re a complete mess… a broken doll with strings ready to snap at the slightest pull. One flick—” he snapped his fingers inches from her fa
