Cynthia Dion: While I was shouting and screaming at the alphas, I noticed Enzo narrowing his eyes at me, which irked me. "Do you think your stare can’t scare me?" I yelled, too angry to consider the consequences. However, his response wasn't what I had expected. Following his gaze, I turned around to see whom he was looking at. That's when I saw my father making his way toward us. My heart sank in my chest as I noticed the anger on his face. It was not a wonderful moment to be caught between two alphas. The moment he reached me, he did the unthinkable – snatching the beanie off my head and exposing the patchy hair that he had chopped off the other day. I immediately covered my head when my father took away my beanie. I heard a gasp filled with shock from Enzo, and to make matters worse, some students had also gathered on the road, heading toward the nearby café. "Dad!" My lips let out a gasp as I felt his rough palm against my cheek, which knocked me down onto the road. The humiliation burned through my body. The impact against my cheek was so strong that my ear started to ring, and the murmurs from the students faded into silence. "IS THIS WHY YOU COME TO SCHOOL EVERY DAY?" He shouted, turning the cellphone screen toward me. He had received the video from Jack. I had given that asshole my money, and he still betrayed me. It was a valuable lesson I learned that day. "I--" I attempted to steal glances from around, but everyone was caught up in gossiping. I wished I could dig a grave and hide myself in it to escape the attention. My eyes welled up as I spotted Rosalie arriving, and she immediately burst into laughter at my expense. "Looking for a mate, huh?" Dad slapped my head. As he started to raise his hand for another hit, I instinctively closed my eyes. This time, his hand didn't make contact with my body. I lifted my head and saw Atticus gripping my father's hand, facing him defiantly. "That's enough," Atticus growled, shocking everyone by standing up to my father. "Let go of my hand," Dad pleaded, but his efforts were in vain because Atticus was much stronger than him. "Hit her one more time, and I won't be respecting your age," I had never seen Atticus so ready to confront someone, as he appeared at that moment. "Why do you care? Didn't you reject her?" Dad laughed at him, mocking an alpha simply because he was angry. He seemed more willing to get into trouble with an alpha than to lose a daughter who was supposed to earn for him. "Atticus! This is their personal matter. Let him go," I knew Rosalie would be bothered. She whispered, nuzzling Atticus’ elbow, as he stood resolute. "I said he will not touch her," Atticus repeated himself, emitting a fierce aura. I noticed his body stiffening, and I understood that his wolf was struggling to break free. Amidst all this, all I could think was, Why? Why was he concerned? "She is his daughter. He has every right----," As Rosalie began mumbling, my dad caught on to her idea. "I can certainly speak to my daughter without having to answer to anyone," Dad said, now much calmer. It became evident how inebriated he was. No wonder he was causing trouble with a royal. I wanted to stand up, but I dreaded drawing everyone's attention. I felt so exhausted by life, yet I persisted and fought on. "A father wouldn't humiliate or strike his daughter in public or even in private," Atticus applied more pressure to my dad’s arm, causing him to flinch slightly. With the focus now on these two, I managed to rise slowly, positioning myself behind Atticus. Rosalie noticed my movement and seemed displeased. "Someone sent him the video of that night. I'll ensure whoever did this answers to me, but for now---," As Atticus straightened his posture, preparing to address my father again, Rosalie pushed Enzo forward to pull Atticus back. "You will not hit her again?" Enzo asked awkwardly, trying to appease Rosalie while also expressing concern for me simultaneously. It's not that simple. He can't satisfy both of us, especially when Rosalie's primary interest is to harm me. "I crossed a line. I apologize for it. Now, can I take my daughter home?" I wasn't buying my father’s apology. He just wanted to escape from Atticus’ intense gaze and his hold. "What more can he say? Let him go," Rosalie approached Atticus again and whispered, using her strength to assist my father in freeing himself from Atticus’ grasp. "And if you did---," Atticus gulped, closing his eyes to regain his composure. "I won't," my dad lied. There's no way he truly cares. The moment he's sober, he won't even remember this entire incident. My father was finally released from Atticus' grip, so he moved nearer and took hold of my hand, leading me behind him. As soon as we reached our home, his grip around my arm tightened. He pushed me into the living room and began yelling. "You are the reason that boy left these bruises on my arm. You wanted to leave when you had promised to serve your life by taking care of your father. I have never seen such a selfish kid like you." Dad closed the door behind us so he could move around aggressively, instilling terror in us. Flora was cowering behind the couch as dad approached her, forcing her to stand up and meet his gaze. "Don’t hurt h---er," I trembled from a distance."Your sister didn’t want to stick around for you. She was planning to leave this house with her mate and leave you and me here," father was on some malevolent agenda that day. The fact that he said all that to Flora just to create a divide between us shocked me.