Chapter 5

Pierce flew into a rage, tearing the divorce papers to shreds all over the floor.

"Think you can just leave? Not so fast!" he roared. "Archer, you have to stay and make amends!"

I struggled to break free from his tight grip on my shoulders, tears streaming down my face.

"Haven't I paid enough already?"

Trembling, I pointed at Seraphina and shouted:

"When Seraphina suddenly decided she wanted to study art, Mom and Dad gave her my chance to study abroad!

"Seraphina used the fire as an excuse to run off overseas, while I had to stay behind kneeling at the family shrine every day!

"When I finally found something I wanted to do well, you all teamed up to ruin my career!

"Now, you won't even leave the stray cat I rescued alone!"

I rushed over and grabbed Pierce by the collar, glaring at him with red eyes as I demanded:

"Tell me, what crime have I committed that makes you all think I need to keep apologizing over and over?!"

It was the first time he'd ever seen me lose my temper.