Chapter 230 This Is Delicious Savannah My scalp still burned. Every time I lifted my hand, I could feel it—the phantom pull, the sharp sting where Julius’s fingers had tangled in my hair and yanked like I was nothing more than something to be dragged. But even that pain faded into the background, drowned out by the one truth echoing in my head. Jace. My biological father. The man standing just a few feet away from me, shoulders squared, eyes calm in a room that felt like it was collapsing in on itself. “Julius,” Jace said quietly, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade through silk. “Do you remember what I told you the night you confronted me about Flora’s pregnancy?” Julius’s jaw tightened. “And why would that matter now?” he snapped. “What relevance does ancient history have to this present mess?” “You know exactly what relevance it has,” Jace replied evenly. “My exact words were: If you ever hurt my child, I will kill you.” The room seemed to tilt. A chill raced down my spine, settling deep in my bones. I hugged my arms around myself, suddenly aware of how small I felt. How exposed. Like my entire life had been cracked open and laid bare for everyone here to dissect. Julius scoffed. “So that’s what this is? You think a threat from thirty years ago justifies betrayal?” His eyes burned with venom. “You think I’d ever forgive you for what you did to me?” Jace didn’t raise his voice. He didn’t need to. “As always,” he said, “you speak as if you are without sin.” He paused, then added calmly, “Shall we also tell everyone here that Flora wasn’t the only one who broke her vows?” My heart stuttered. “What?” Mom gasped. “Jace, what are you saying?” “He’s lying,” Julius said sharply. Too quickly. “He's talking nonsense. Don’t listen to him.” But Jace didn’t even glance at him. “Oh really?” he said. “Then why don’t you explain to your wife why your good friend, Asher, suddenly turned his attention to your daughters?” His eyes flicked to me. “Why my daughter was dragged into your mess.” “Stop talking!” Julius roared. “Let him speak!” Mom shouted, her voice rising in a way I had never heard before. Jace nodded once. “If you hadn’t been sleeping with your best friend’s wife behind his back, none of this would have happened. Kingston wouldn't have wanted his sick, twisted revenge.” The silence that followed was absolute. It was like the room itself stopped breathing. My ears rang. I felt dizzy, like I might faint. I stared at Julius, waiting for denial. For rage. For something. “Oh my God,” Mom whispered, covering her mouth. “Julius…” He didn’t look ashamed. He looked furious—like a man angry that his secrets had been dragged into the light. “If you hadn’t been sneaking around with Asher Kingston’s wife,” Jace continued, “my daughter would not have become collateral damage in your sick games. You constantly remind Flora of her mistakes. But yet you cover yours!” Julius threw his head back and laughed. A harsh, ugly sound. “You can say whatever you want, Jace. I don't care. But do you want to hear the best part?” he sneered. “I’m glad he had his way with your daughter. I hope you felt even a fraction of what I felt when you crawled into my wife’s bed.” I sucked in a sharp breath. “She was mine first!” Jace shouted, the calm finally cracking. “You forced her into marrying you. You stole Flora from me and paraded her in front of my face like a trophy!” His lip curled. “So yes—I hope you loved the parting gift I gave her.” The next few seconds blurred. Julius lunged. He caught Jace off guard, his fist slamming into his jaw. Mom screamed. Alyssa cried out. I froze, unable to move, as the two men crashed into each other like decades of hatred had finally found fists. Jace recovered fast. He struck back—once, twice, again—each punch driven by rage I could feel vibrating through the room. “Stop it!” Mom screamed. “Please! Stop it!” I didn’t even realize I was standing in the open until Roman’s arms wrapped around me and pulled me back. “Get back, my love,” he murmured urgently. “You could get hurt.”I nodded numbly, my legs shaking as his men rushed in to separate them. One grabbed Julius. Another restrained Jace—but neither man was finished. “I’ll kill you!” Jace bellowed, straining against the hold. “Mark my words, Julius—I’ll kill you for hurting my daughter!” “You dare threaten me in my own home?!” Julius screamed back, his eyes wild. “I regret ever knowing you!” Jace shouted. “I am ashamed to call you my brother!” “As if I care!” Julius spat. Their hatred filled the room like poison gas. “You will pay,” Jace continued, his voice raw. “For Savannah. For every other life you destroyed!” Julius laughed. “You’re no saint, Jace! And neither is she!” He jabbed a finger at Mom. “Enough of the righteous act!” “You turned her into this!” Jace roared. “You crushed her until obedience was all she knew. Anything she ever did wrong is on you! Flora did everything to please you!” Julius’s grin turned vicious. “Is that what she told you?” He looked straight at Mom. “Why don’t you tell him who first suggested getting rid of that bastard Savannah was carrying?” The world stopped. I gasped, stumbling back as if I’d been struck. My eyes locked with Mom’s. “Mom?” My voice shook. “Is that true?” She broke. Tears streamed down her face as she shook her head violently. “It wasn’t like that,” she sobbed. “I had no choice. He said he would kill you. I was trying to protect you.” My chest caved in. “I’m sorry,” she cried. “I was just trying to save you.” Roman swore softly beside me. “This son of a bitch.” I stared at Julius. “Why?” I whispered. “What did I ever do to you?” His eyes were cold and empty as he spoke. “I never should have listened to your mother,” he said flatly. “I should’ve taken you out when I had the chance. Look at the mess you’ve dragged to my doorstep.” I couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe. I just stood there. Jace laughed—a broken sound. “You want to know what else is funny, Julius?” he said. “While you were celebrating your friend destroying my daughter, he was defiling yours for more than a decade—and you were too blind to notice.” The room went deathly silent. Then mom screamed. Loudly. “Yes,” Jace continued mercilessly. “He thought he was ruining mine but his was already destroyed! Chloe has been selling herself to men and it wasn't about the money. That's the extent of damage your friend did to your precious daughter! She is broken. That’s what Asher did to her.” Alyssa sobbed, turning to Chloe. “Chloe? Is it true?” I turned to my sister. Chloe. She stared into nothing, her eyes glassy. She looked lost. Like she wasn't even here. Like she hadn't heard what Jace said nor witnessed the scene unfold. Then we heard clapping. Slow and mocking. We all turned. Paula smiled. “Oh, this is delicious,” she said. “You people are exhausting—but entertaining.”Julius glared. “Get her out of my house!” “I’m not going anywhere,” Paula replied smoothly. “We’re not done yet, Lawman.” And I knew… This wasn’t over. Not even close.