Grace stared at Alex's hand around her wrist, shock turning slow into anger. The look in his eyes was not heat; it was a warning, cold and honed.
“Let go," she said.
Alex released her at once. “I won't allow you to hit her," he said, voice even.
“I am her mother," Grace snapped.
“And I am her brother," Alex said. “If you strike her, you will deal with me."
Grace scoffed. “You think you can threaten me in front of my daughter?"
“It isn't a threat," Alex replied. “It's a boundary."
Grace pulled her wrist back and smoothed her sleeve, rebuilding poise. “Olivia," she said, turning with a mother's authority she wore like a crown, “apologize."
“No," Olivia said, tone quiet and final.
Grace blinked. “You always were ungrateful."
“I was forgiving," Olivia said. “There's a difference."
J
