Marriage with my daughter's father: Darling please be gentle - Chapter 204

Chapter 204: Chapter 204: Confrontation
After the doctors examined Roger and confirmed his recovery, Lilac, Kalix, and Winter entered his hospital room. The bright morning light streamed through the window, but a subtle tension lingered in the air.

“You’re quite a strong man, brother. Not even a sharp blade could pierce that steel body of yours,” Lilac quipped, a playful smile tugging at her lips.

Roger managed a faint chuckle, though a hint of fatigue still shadowed his eyes. “And what about the blood I lost? Does a steel body have any to spare?”

The humor in his voice barely masked his lingering pain. But the second his gaze met Lily’s, who stood quietly at the edge of the room, guilt shadowing her features, his smile faltered.

“I’m sorry,” he said immediately, his voice louder and clearer, meant for everyone to hear. “I didn’t mean to respond that way.”

Lily’s lips parted, but no words came out. Instead, she offered a weak smile, her fingers twisting nervously.

Kalix, who had been leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, observed the subtle shift in Roger’s demeanor whenever Lily was around. For a man who had spent years hiding behind a stoic mask, it was surprising to see Roger so affected—vulnerable, even. But it was also… a good change. He was finally letting people in.

“Where’s Grandpa?” Kalix asked, his sharp gaze sweeping the room. “Is he not coming to see Roger?”

Lilac’s smile faded slightly, replaced by a subtle tension. “I doubt it. He’s expected to meet Rita at the police station.”

Her tone was sharp, laced with a bitterness that didn’t escape her siblings.

Winter’s gentle eyes flicked between them, sensing the brewing discomfort. Not wanting the atmosphere to sour further, she stepped forward, her voice calm and soothing.

“Lily,” she said softly, “I think you should head home and freshen up. You’ve been here all night. We’ll stay with Roger.”

Lily hesitated, her gaze drifting to Roger, who met her eyes with a reassuring nod.

“I’ll be fine, Lily. Get some rest,” he murmured, though a hint of warmth lingered in his voice, something unspoken but not entirely hidden.

After a moment’s hesitation, Lily nodded. “Okay. I’ll come back later.”

As she turned to leave, Lilac’s voice followed her, lighter now. “Don’t worry, Lily. We’ll make sure our stubborn brother here doesn’t go anywhere.”

Lily’s lips twitched into a small smile, and with one last glance at Roger, she walked out, the door clicking softly behind her.

Silence settled briefly in the room before Kalix’s low voice cut through it. “Grandpa went to see Rita? Why? After everything she did—”

“He wants to hear it directly from her,” Lilac interjected, her jaw tightening. “After all, whatever she did had affected him badly. She broke his trust.”

Roger let out a slow sigh, leaning back against the pillows. “And now he is guilty and refuses to see me.”

Lilac darted her surprising eyes at Roger. “How can you be so accurate, brother?” she asked.

“Because I know how he is and how he can let his emotions overtake his rational thoughts,” Roger explained.

“And you think Rita would tell the truth? or she will try to manipulate him once again?” Winter voiced, seizing everyone’s attention.

“I highly doubt that. He have seen enough proof that there is no chance he will let any of them go easily.”

***

Sylvester stepped into the cold, sterile atmosphere of the police station, his cane tapping lightly against the polished floor with each measured step.

Officers moved around him, some casting curious glances his way, but none dared to interrupt the formidable figure who strode with quiet authority.

A young officer guided him down the hallway to the interrogation rooms, stopping just outside one of the rooms with a large, one-way mirror. Through the glass, Sylvester saw her.

Rita.

Her once-proud demeanor had crumbled, leaving behind a woman with disheveled hair, eyes red from crying, and hands bound by cuffs resting on the metal table.

“Would you like to speak with her directly, sir?” the officer asked.

Sylvester’s sharp gaze remained on Rita for a moment longer. “Yes. Leave us.”

The officer hesitated but nodded, unlocking the door before stepping aside. As Sylvester entered, the cold metal door shut behind him with a resounding click.

Rita’s head shot up, her eyes widening. “Grandpa! Please, you have to help me! This is all a mistake—”

“A mistake?” Sylvester’s voice was calm, but each word struck like a lash. He moved slowly, circling the table, his cane tapping against the floor, echoing in the small room. “Is that what you call trying to harm your own family? Manipulating Roger, threatening Lily, and attacking him? All a misunderstanding?”

Tears spilled down Rita’s cheeks, her breathing quickening. “Please, you have to believe me. I was desperate! Roger—he… he turned everyone against me. I had no choice!”

“No choice?” Sylvester’s cold laughter filled the room. “You always had a choice, Rita. A choice, to be honest. A choice to be loyal. Instead, you chose lies, deceit, and violence. You lied everyone about the child in your womb and not for once you thought before eliminating it.”

Rita’s gaze dropped to the table, her hands trembling. “I loved him, Grandpa. I loved him so much. But he was slipping away from me… and Lily—she came between us!”

“Lily came between you? Or was it your own betrayal that destroyed what little trust he had in you?” Sylvester’s voice sharpened.

“You tried to harm an innocent girl. You betrayed the man who stood by you despite everything. And for what? A desperate attempt to cling to your own web of lies? Do you even realize what you’ve done Rita?”

“I was scared!” Rita screamed, her voice breaking. “I didn’t want to lose everything!”

“And now, you have nothing,” Sylvester replied, his voice cold and final. “I came here not to save you, but to watch you face the consequences of your actions. All these years I was blinded by your lies and ended up ruining Roger’s life, but not anymore, Rita. You will divorce Roger and set him free. I will make sure of it.”

Rita’s face crumpled, her sobs filling the room. “Please… I can change. Just… just tell them to let me go. I’ll fix everything, I swear.”

Sylvester leaned forward, his steely gaze piercing into her. “You’ve had countless chances, Rita. More than you ever deserved. But this time, the price of betrayal has caught up to you.”

He straightened, turning toward the door. “Goodbye, Rita.”

Her desperate cries echoed behind him, muffled as the heavy door shut in her face. Sylvester stood still for a moment, his jaw tight, eyes closing briefly.

He had once tried to see the good in Rita, to give her a place in the family despite her flaws. But now, those illusions had shattered.

He opened his eyes, his expression unreadable. With a steady grip on his cane, he walked away without looking back.

***

Dianna paced the lavish living room, her manicured fingers twisting nervously around the strap of her handbag.

Beside her, Beatrix sat rigidly on the velvet couch, her face pale but defiant. They had tried everything—calling in favors, pulling strings, even pleading with old allies—but nothing seemed to work.

Sylvester’s influence overshadowed every desperate attempt they made to free Rita.

“Keep trying! Call David again!” Beatrix hissed, but even she knew it was pointless.

“I already did. He won’t help. Not after his latest scandal ruined his reputation. He’s more concerned about saving his own skin,” Beatrix snapped, a hint of panic breaking through her usual cold demeanor.

Silence settled between them, thick and suffocating. Things were slipping out of their control, a nightmare unraveling before their eyes. Beatrix clenched her fists, refusing to accept defeat.

But then, the low rumble of an engine outside drew their attention. Dianna’s head snapped towards the window, and her face drained of color when she saw a convoy of sleek black cars pulling up at the front of the mansion.

“No… this can’t be—” Beatrix whispered, rising to her feet, her heart pounding in her chest.

The front door swung open with a force that echoed through the hall. Several men in dark suits filed in, their stern expressions and unwavering posture making it clear they were not here for pleasantries.

And then, emerging from the center of them, was Sylvester. His presence was commanding, his sharp gaze cold and unyielding. The rhythmic tap of his cane against the marble floor was the only sound that seemed to matter.

“Grandpa,” Dianna began, forcing a smile as she stepped forward. “This… this must be a misunderstanding. Rita—”

“Silence.” Sylvester’s voice cut through the room like a blade. His cold, steely gaze swept over them, making Dianna’s words die in her throat.

“You think you can weave your web of lies and manipulate me once again? Use Roger, endanger Lily, and now try to cover up Rita’s crimes?” His voice was calm, almost too calm, and that terrified them more than if he had shouted.