Brianna, who received the apple pie, held it in her arms like it was a treasure as she hurried back to the log cabin.

When she passed the castle, she ran into Elena, who was on a stroll with her black cat.

Elena stroked the black cat in her arms and frowned. She delivered a slap to Brianna's face.

"Little brat! You don't have the right to touch me! This is for scaring my kitty!"

Brianna lost her footing and collapsed to the floor. She started bleeding from the mouth. The apple pie fell out of her arms.

Brianna ignored the pain on her face and reached out for the apple pie.

Elena suddenly yanked Brianna's hair, forcing the poor girl to look up at her.

"Ah, you're a shameless girl indeed. All you ever do is act pitiful like that useless mother of yours!

"Consider this a warning—do not step foot into the castle and show up before your father with that pathetic look on your face! I will not spare you if that ever happens! Got it?"

She snarled while wrapping her fingers around Brianna's neck; she looked like she was about to suffocate my daughter.

I dashed forward like crazy, trying my best to pry her fingers. Unfortunately, as a spirit, I could not touch Elena.

Inundated by guilt and helplessness, I felt as suffocated as Brianna. Meanwhile, Elena looked increasingly satisfied as she tightened her grip around Brianna's neck.

She chortled villainously as Brianna winced. Without warning, she let go of Brianna's neck. Then, she gestured at her maids to unwrap that paper bag on the floor.

Brianna, who managed to catch her breath, immediately sprang forward to scramble for the bag of apple pie from the maids.

"That's for my mother! Don't touch it! Give it back to me!"

Elena's expression crumpled at the mention of her mother. She stepped on Brianna's face, causing Brianna's features to contort.

Brianna couldn't help but groan.

"Don't want me to touch it? Nah, I'm gonna step on it!"

Elena stomped on that apple pie and crushed it with her foot.

Tears welled up in Brianna's eyes. In the heat of the moment, she bit Elena on the ankle.

As pain shot through Elena's body, she ordered her maids to lift Brianna off the ground by the collar just like how one would carry a puppy.

"You little brat! How dare you bite me?"

Elena reached out for a riding crop and repeatedly whipped Brianna with it. Brianna's stained dress immediately tore apart from the impact. Blood oozed out from the whip marks on her skin.

Brianna struggled in pain. She whined and sobbed, "Mother, save me…"

I screamed as I clawed and bit at Elena, trying vainly to tear her soul apart.

I yelled internally, "Don't touch my daughter!"

But it was futile.

I went on my knees and begged Elena through tears. I'd give her everything—the blood from my heart, Alaric, and even my title of Luna, in exchange for Elena to spare my child.

Elena, of course, could not hear my pleas. She watched the growing wounds on Brianna's body with delight, and she threw her head back in laughter.

All of a sudden, a commanding voice rang out.

"Elena! What are you doing?"

Alaric's presence shocked everyone.

Brianna's vacant eyes suddenly lit up, and she murmured, "Father…"

Alaric frowned upon hearing Brianna's weak call.

Elena's body froze. She trembled uncontrollably.