Bang!

The old stick hit Cassian's head. Pain exploded-hot, sharp. Blood ran down his temple, thick and angry.

"Dad! Mom! Stop! Stop it!" Ardenne screamed, voice cracking, trembling, echoing off the tiny walls. She ran forward, desperate, but...

A hand grabbed her wrist. Iron grip. Hard. Pain shot up her arm. She froze mid-step.

"Don't you dare stop him, Ardenne!" the woman hissed, eyes wild, furious. "Let him destroy this bastard! If it wasn't for him... this madman... we wouldn't even be here!"

Martha Brooks, Ardenne's mother, looked like a lion ready to kill.

"Six years! SIX YEARS!" she roared, voice raw and broken. "Because of him, Violet and her family spat on us! Because of him, Violet went and married Benton Sylver! That man should have been YOUR husband, Ardenne! Do you know how they laugh at us? How they humiliated us?"

She stomped the floor. Boards trembled.

"If not for this lunatic... you'd be living in luxury! Mistress of Benton Sylver! And instead... look at you! Rotting here... in this... this public toilet with a madman and his kid!"

Her hands shook, pointed like knives. "Every time I see Marla in the papers, I want to tear her apart! And you... you threw everything away for him? For this useless man and that child? Are you crazy too?"

Martha's eyes were fire. Red, burning, shaking fingers like they wanted to scratch Cassian apart. Hate poured off her, thick and hot.

Behind her, Henry Sylver Ardenne's dad gritted his teeth, holding the broken stick like it was a sword of revenge.

"Yes!" he yelled, voice raw, trembling. "Six years! SIX YEARS because of you! You ruined everything! Today... today you pay!"

He swung the stick down hard.

Slap!

It snapped in two. But Cassian didn't move. Not a step. Blood ran down his face, but his eyes... calm. Deadly calm.

Ardenne screamed, panic ripping her voice. "Dad! Stop it! Stop hitting him!" She ran forward, pounding weak fists against Henry's chest.

Cassian finally spoke, low but full of fire under the calm. "Mom... Dad... six years ago, it was my fault. I failed. I failed to protect her. I failed to protect all of you."

He bent slightly, looking at Ardenne and Emma. "But I'm back. I swear. I'll fix it. I'll protect Ardenne. I'll protect our daughter. No one will hurt them like that again-"

"Enough!" Martha spat, face twisted in disgust. "Useless fool! What good are you? You brought nothing but shame! Nothing but ruin!"

"Mom!" Ardenne cried, voice breaking. "It's not his fault!"

"Not his fault?" Martha screamed. "Whose fault then? He disappears with a snap if the Sylver say! Tomorrow you'll divorce him-both of you! If he wants to die, let him die alone! Don't drag the family into this!"

Ardenne shook, tears falling. "Mom! Dad! Stop forcing me! Six years ago you decided everything. Now again! Can't you let me live? I'm not your puppet!"

"Cry! Cry! Cry!" Martha yelled, slapping her thigh. "Always crying! We do this for your own good!"

Then-

A small figure darted from behind the bunk bed. Ardenne.

The little girl looked pale, eyes swollen, clothes torn, arms shaking. She ran to Henry, threw herself around his legs, looking up with wide, teary eyes.

"Grandpa... Grandma... please! Don't hit Dad! Don't yell at Mommy! If you want to hit someone... hit me! It's my fault Daddy is hurt... Please... please don't be mad anymore..."

Cassian's voice shook the air. "Mom... Dad... six years ago, it was my fault. I failed. I didn't protect her. I didn't protect all of you."

He looked at Ardenne, then Emma. "But I'm back. I'll make it right. I'll take care of you both. I swear... no one will ever hurt you again."

"Enough of this nonsense!" Martha spat on the floor, disgust cutting through her voice. "You worthless, crazy fool! What can you offer? What can you fix? You're nothing but a curse, a shame on this family!"

"Mom!" Ardenne cried, tears running fast. "It's not his fault!"

"Not his fault?!" Martha shrieked, jaw tight. "Then whose fault is it?! Does he think he's untouchable now? One word from Sylver and he disappears again! Tomorrow, you'll divorce him-both of you! If he wants to die, let him do it alone! Don't drag the family into this!"

Ardenne's sobs broke free. "Mom! Dad! Why can't you just let me live my life? Six years ago, you chose for me. Now again! I'm not your puppet!"

"Cry, cry, cry!" Martha yelled, slapping her thigh. "Always crying! We're doing this for your own good!"

Then-

A small figure darted from behind the bunk bed. Ardenne.

Her face pale, eyes swollen, clothes ripped, arms shaking. She ran forward, throwing herself around Henry's legs, looking up with tearful eyes.

"Grandpa... Grandma... please! Don't hit Dad! Don't yell at Mommy anymore! If you want to hit someone... hit me. It's my fault Daddy is hurt... please... don't be angry anymore..."

The room froze.

Henry's hand hung midair. The stick slipped from his fingers. Slowly, his grip loosened, and he crouched, patting Ardenne's head. "Go back inside, sweetheart... Grandpa's not mad anymore..."

But Amelia's little body went limp.

"Amelia!" Ardenne screamed, dropping to her knees, hugging her daughter tight.

Henry froze. "I... I didn't mean to..."

"Enough!" Ardenne sobbed, trembling. "Enough, Dad! Go! Just... leave us alone!"

Henry could say nothing.

After a long pause, he exhaled, heavy and defeated. "Let's go, Martha. She's made her choice."

Martha's glare lingered on Cassian, a storm of hatred and pain. "Fine. But this madman stays away from us. He is no longer family."

She grabbed Cassian's arm, yanking him roughly toward the park exit. He didn't resist.

Ardenne carried Emma inside, slamming the door behind them. Outside, Martha and Henry's curses faded as they rode off on the old electric bike.

Cassian sat on the curb. For a long while, he did nothing. Just sat.

Then, the rumble of an off-road vehicle cut through the silence. The door slammed open, and Lyra Quin jumped out.

"Soverign, sir!" he called.

"Those people deserve worse than words," Lyra began, breathless. "Tell me, and I'll-"

Cassian lifted a hand. "Not like that."

"It's not heroism I want," he said slowly. "And don't make a scene. S. City's fools would make a spectacle of it."

Lyra exhaled, nodding. "The mayor... he wanted to be discreet. He guessed they'd recognize you. I tried to stop him, but... well, he's the mayor. He trusted me to find a reason."

Cassian 's eyes narrowed. "Our unit has holdings here. Sylver are nothing but a shopfront. Find us a house. Tomorrow, Ardenne and Emma get a proper home. Not that... that hole. Find three options. Then... find out what Sylver needs most. Quietly. Send someone to the company."

Lyra hesitated. "You're not going to use the regiment?"

"No. You can go."

Lyra left, shoulders tight, helpless.

Cassian sat. An hour passed. Finally, he stood. He returned to the park, sitting by the gate of their tiny refuge. Behind that rusty iron door was everything he had failed to protect. From tonight onward... he would guard them. Give them peace, safety, and a life he had denied for too long.

The gate creaked open.

Ardenne aappeared. Damp hair tied messy, a small pack of biscuits clutched in her hand.

She tiptoed to him, stretching out her little hand. "Dad... you haven't eaten. These are biscuits Mum bought. You should eat them before you get hungry."

Cassian froze. The tiny warmth, the earnest voice... it cut through every wall he had built. His throat burned.

Ardenne didn't notice his silence. She sat beside him. Cassian reached out gently.

"Don't. Sit on the bag, not the ground."

She nodded, swinging her feet above the floor.

Long pause. Then, small voice, uncertain: "Are you really my dad?"

Cassian looked down. Nodded.

Ardenne's lips trembled. "Then... why did you go away? All these years... I missed you. Everyone has a dad... except me. Will you leave again? Grandpa... Grandma... they bully Mum and me... did they bully you too? Is that why you left?"

Cassian's chest twisted. Every word cut him.

She tugged his sleeve. "Daddy... don't leave again, okay? I'll be good, I promise."

Tears fell. Cassian couldn't stop them. They blurred his vision, all he could see was her small, hopeful face.

"I won't leave again," he whispered.

Ardenne tilted her head, big curious eyes fixed on him. "Did you... have it hard outside? You didn't have a mummy to take care of you, did you?"

Cassian gave a small, shaky smile, wiping a tear that streaked down his cheek.

"If anything... anything happens to you, you tell me, okay? Don't keep it all inside," he said, voice rough.

Ardenne's face lit up suddenly. "Oh! I almost forgot! I have a surprise for you!"

Before he could ask what, she bounced up, tugging at his hand. "Come on! Come see!"

Cassian followed, curious, careful not to rush her. She led him to the far side of the park, near the abandoned public restroom. Wild weeds, small scraggly trees, shoved aside with tiny, determined hands.

Behind the overgrowth... a little corner, hidden.

A scruffy yellow dog wagged its tail, sitting beside a pile of dirty plastic bottles and crushed cans.

Ardenne pointed with a pout. "Bad little puppy! You bit my bottles again!"

Then, turning to Cassian, her face so proud it hurt to look at: "Look, Daddy! Isn't it amazing? I picked all these up myself! You can sell them... and buy Mum a gift! Then she won't be angry with you anymore!"

Cassian froze. He crouched slowly, his hand trembling over his mouth. His chest heaved like it wanted to tear itself apart. And then... the tears came. Ugly, hot, unstoppable.

Ardenne's smile faltered. She slid beside him, tiny hands on his arm. "Daddy... don't cry," she whispered, voice trembling. "I'll be a good girl from now on. I promise."

Cassian leaned forward, resting his forehead against hers, letting the sobs shake him. "I... I won't let anyone hurt you again. I promise, Ardenne. Never again..."

Cassian had spent the night on the cold doorstep. Before dawn he slipped out, bought a bag of warm fried dough sticks and two little cartons of milk. He came back to the iron door where Ardenne and Emma slept. The room smelled of damp, of old rain, and a faint bleach from the public restroom nearby. No table, no chairs, nothing that felt like a home. So, they carried breakfast to the park bench outside, huddled close to share the tiny warmth of the meal.

Ardenne attacked the dough sticks like a tiny tornado. Three sticks vanished before Cassian could blink. She gulped down the milk cartons, one after the other, then threw her head back and squealed. "Woo-Mummy! This is the best ever! My belly's so full!" Her laugh was wild, pure, and Cassian felt like his chest might crack from it.

Ardenne watched her, smiling softly. Cassian's throat tightened. He wanted to scoop them both up and never let go, feel them safe forever. But he just sat still, letting the park bench be enough for now.

The walk to Ardenne's school passed the old resettlement blocks. The kindergarten squeezed into a low, tired building, windows small, paint peeling on the stairwell. Eight kids, patched clothes, messy hair, scrambled around inside. Ardenne waved to them all, hugging tightly before running back to Cassia. She cupped his cheek, gave him a ridiculous exaggerated wink, then slipped into class. Behind the teacher's back, she whispered, "Dad-good luck," and made a silly face. Cassian just smiled and nodded.

Ardenne hurried on toward the bus stop, glancing back at him. "I'm going to the office," she said. "Why are you coming with me?"

Cassian shrugged, a small grin tugging at his lips. "I'm not leaving you two alone yet," he said softly.

His gaze flicked to Emma's classroom, then back to Ardenne. "Some things I need to see for myself."

"Because I will not stand by while they humiliate you," Cassian said, quiet but hard.

Ardenne stopped, staring at him long enough for the world to shrink down. She set her jaw tight. "No violence," she said. Eyes sharp. "If you can't promise that... stay away. Don't come near us. Don't do it."

Cassian opened his mouth, closed it. He sighed, nodding.

Forty minutes later, the glass tower loomed. Twenty floors of shiny ambition. Sylver Group, it read in cold block letters at the top.

They reached the gate. A uniformed guard stepped forward. "Stop. Who gave you permission? Do you even work here?"

Ardenne flashed her ID. "Of course I work here."

The man sneered. "ID card? Could be fake. Who are you trying to fool?"

Cassian stepped closer. His voice was low, calm, dangerous. "Clear the way."

The guard's jaw tightened. "You-who do you think you are? Out! Brothers-backup!"

Security spilled through like chess pieces. Phones up, rubber batons in hand, ready to make a show.

"You think you're strong?" one barked. "Lift a finger, we'll make a viral spectacle of you."

Another snorted. "Arrogant bastard-thinks he's untouchable because he can fight a little. Fool."

The lead clicked his walkie. "Manager-sir, the people you were waiting for are here."

Ardenne's lips went white. She knew the choreography: Marla's cruelty dressed in uniforms, set to humiliate them.

Cassian's eyes scanned them all. "I'll say it once. Anyone who values their life-get out of the way."

The guards laughed. "Oh? You gonna fight us?"

"We've got orders. We'll finish him quick."

The manager stepped forward, immaculate, backing his guards with the Sylver' full weight. "Shut off your cameras," he said. Phones blinked dark instantly.

Then, a shadow in sunglasses appeared. Marla rolled forward, bruised, swollen, mask half-lifted. Her lips were a thin line of fury. She had pushed herself here despite the doctor's warning. Pain didn't stop her. She wanted the spotlight. She wanted control.

"Ardenne, has your mad husband had another episode? Always daydreaming, always boasting. Pity you ended up with such a waste," Marla spat.

Gideon Sylver materialized at her shoulder, perfectly polished. "Boasting never cost anyone a dime," he sneered. "Go on-beg us to let you in. Make a scene. We'll laugh."

The guards laughed with them.

Ardenne's face burned. She swallowed hard. She couldn't leave Ardenne. She couldn't lose her job. So she straightened.

"Marla, I-" Her throat closed. She forced it out. "What happened yesterday was wrong. I... I apologise on Cassian's behalf. We'll cover your medical expenses. Please... don't revoke my position. Emma needs school."

Marla pulled off the mask. The bruise looked worse. She sneered. "Phooey. You think an apology fixes this? A cheque? Pathetic. Kneel. Crawl. Maybe then I'll forgive you."

Ardened's body trembled. "Don't you dare-"

Marla cut her off, cruel and sharp. "Your fault yesterday. Don't forget: Sylver Group is ours. And don't forget-I'm Sylver too. And I own a piece of this company."

Ardenne opened her mouth. "I-"

"Delusional?" Marla laughed. "You think you have a right here? Embarrassing. Know your place. Don't kneel? Then pay. Two million. That will fix my face. Buy back dignity. Can you afford it?"

Ardenne froze. "Two million?" she whispered. "You're shameless."

Marla's eyes burned like ice. "Bitch!"

"How dare you call me shameless?"

She flicked her gaze to her brother. "Gideo -teach her a lesson."

Gideon's lips twisted into a cruel sneer. "Oh, I'm very good at this," he said, walking forward like a predator.

"I suggest you don't dodge, little worker," he taunted. "Otherwise losing your job won't be enough punishment. Tsk, tsk... such a pretty face-slapping it should really hurt."