Chapter 3: Healing the Broken Trust
Chapter 3: Healing the Broken Trust
Inside the luxurious penthouse downtown, the atmosphere was entirely different. The penthouse was warm, filled with the scent of fresh vanilla and hot chocolate.
Lily sat on a plush velvet sofa, wrapped in a fluffy pink blanket. Dr. Evans had already treated her hands, applying a soothing ointment to her raw skin. For the first time in months, the little girl didn't look terrified, but her eyes were still wide with anxiety.
Alexander walked into the room, having changed into a simple sweater and jeans. He looked no longer like the terrifying billionaire chairman, but simply a heartbroken father. He sat on the floor by her knees, refusing to sit above her.
"Lily, princess," he whispered softly. "Look at me."
Lily slowly looked down at her father. "Am I in trouble, Daddy? Mommy Vanessa said if I didn't clean the whole floor, I wouldn't get dinner. I tried... but the water was so cold."
A pang of pure guilt struck Alexander's chest. He had been away on a crucial business trip to Europe for three weeks, trusting Vanessa’s sweet, public persona. He never imagined the monster she truly was.
"No, my beautiful girl. You are not in trouble. You did nothing wrong," Alexander said, his voice trembling with emotion. He reached out, gently taking her bandaged hands. "Daddy is so, so sorry. I promised your mother before she passed away that I would protect you, and I failed. But I promise you, on my life, that woman will never, ever hurt you again."
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Lily looked at him for a long moment before throwing her small arms around his neck. "I missed you, Daddy," she sobbed.
"I miss you too, princess. Now, how about we eat the biggest bowl of pasta you've ever seen?"
