Inside the study, only Roland, Everett, and I remained.

The massive, ugly bruise on my arm stood out in the dim light, a vivid reminder of the night's events.

"Go find Helen and have her put some ointment on that," Roland commanded, his voice tight with barely suppressed rage.

I shook my head, feigning reluctance. Roland sighed, his frustration mounting, and finally summoned Helen. She entered quietly, carrying a medical kit, and began to treat my arm with shaking hands.

Everett watched, a flicker of guilt crossing his face, followed by something that looked uncomfortably like pity. "I'm sorry, Evelyn. I truly didn't mean for it to go that far."

The next second, a grunt of agony escaped his lips.

Roland had raised his heavy walking cane, slamming it down hard across Everett’s back.

"You coward," Roland spat, his voice trembling. "Since when have the men of the Harrison family ever laid a hand on a woman? You’re the first, and you’re a disgrace to this bloodline."

Everett collapsed to one knee, doubled over as the wind was knocked out of him. He didn’t offer a single word of protest.

But that was fine. I was more than happy to speak for him.

"Please, Roland, stop," I whispered, my voice thick with faux-understanding. "Everett was just overwhelmed. He didn't know what he was doing. Compared to everything Hailey has been through, I’m nothing. A little bruising? I’ll survive."

Roland’s eyes narrowed, his anger surging at my forced meekness. He brought the cane down again.

Once Helen had packed up the kit and retreated from the room, the air grew deathly still. Roland turned his sharp, piercing gaze toward me. "Evelyn, this was a grave injustice. What do you intend to do?"

I pulled my phone from my pocket and handed it to him, the screen playing a video that spelled the end of the fairytale.

"Roland, I want a divorce."

Everett stumbled to his feet, clutching his side, his face contorted in a desperate, frantic look.

"I don't agree to this," he rasped, his voice regaining its edge of arrogance. "Misunderstandings happen in every marriage. I can apologize—I’ll even make Hailey apologize to you. Why on earth would you jump straight to divorce?"

Roland didn't hesitate. He snatched the phone from my hand and hurled it directly at Everett’s chest.

"You were caught in bed with her, you pathetic fool," Roland roared. "What exactly do you think you have left to explain?"