James ran his hand roughly over his stern face, dragging his palm down as though trying to wipe away the irritation crawling beneath his skin.
His eyes were glazed with restrained fury, and his heart thumped hard against his ribs.
The threat in Stella's voice had been unmistakable; cold and calm.
And far too confident for someone who had once stood quietly behind him at family gatherings.
The child that had always looked to him for acknowledgement. James can't believe they would be having this stand off.
"Stella," he said through gritted teeth, every word forced out with effort, "I am still your father."
The words came out heavier than he intended. His jaw clenched.
What the hell was she trying to say?
And what sort of threat had that been earlier?
The more James thought about it, the angrier he became.
The changes in Stella were not what James had expected. Though Achiku had only warned him to let her be.
