Chapter 3

3

Dominic stepped out of the car, radiating cold authority.

Melanie's eyes turned red with tears instantly as she ran to him.

"Dominic! They're bullying me!"

"Who touched you? Do they want to die?"

He looked up and froze when he saw me and Leo.

"Seraphina? Leo? I thought you were still abroad for his treatment."

Before I could answer, Melanie dropped to her knees, sobbing.

"I'm so sorry, Dominic... I didn't know this heart belonged to her."

"I just wanted to save Prince. He's my family. He's all I had growing up."

"I asked for the heart, but she attacked me. And then Leo bit me..."

She showed him the teeth marks on her arm.

Dominic's expression turned frigid.

Leo tried to run to his father to explain, but Dominic shoved him away.

The boy tumbled to the ground.

"How did I raise such an ungrateful, ill-mannered brat?" Dominic hissed at me.

"How exactly have you been raising him?"

Leo's eyes filled with tears as he sat on the cold floor.

I rushed to pull him behind me, glaring at Dominic.

"Leo has waited a year for this heart! We flew back the moment we got the call."

"She is trying to kill your son for a dog!"

Dominic hesitated, turning to Director Harrison.

"Is she telling the truth?"

Harrison's face went stiff, but he quickly recovered.

"Mr. Sterling, I know your wife can be... protective. But Melanie's dog only has a week."

"Seraphina called Prince a beast. She said he's worthless compared to her kid."

Dominic's anger flared again.

"I didn't think you'd become such a bully, Seraphina."

"Melanie and I grew up together. I won't let you take things from her!"

I felt a wave of nausea. These people were insane.

"Daddy, that's not true..." Leo sobbed.

"Stop lying!" Dominic snapped. "You're just like your mother. Full of shit."

"Guards, take the heart. Get it ready for Prince!"

The bodyguards moved toward the medical cooler.

I stood my ground and raised my voice to a scream.

"I dare anyone to try and steal from the Montgomery family!"