"Daddy..."
The fragile, trembling word slipped from Chloe’s blood-streaked lips.
Maya, barely conscious from the strikes, forced herself to look up toward the doorway, tears streaming down her face:
"Please... save the little girl..."
Vanessa froze mid-swing. The haughty fury drained instantly from her eyes, replaced by pure, paralyzing terror as the heavy club slipped from her fingers, clattering loudly against the marble floor.
"Marcus... honey..." Vanessa stammered, her voice shaking violently as she backed away. "It’s... it’s not what you think. They were disobeying me, they broke my vase—"