“He made me lose my pregnancy, Dad,” Emmy said. “I didn’t say anything because I knew you’d never believe me. Not with the image he’s built for himself — the perfect son-in-law, the silent achiever.”She took a small step forward. “I was going to show you the scan. I kept it. But I lost the baby before I could even tell you.”His shoulders sagged. And for the first time, he looked… tired.“There’s more,” Emmy added quickly. “While Charles was shutting me out, someone else stood by me. The only one who noticed I was breaking. His name is Roger — Roger Kingsley. You must have seen him in the news.”Mr. Harrington’s face barely moved. No words. Just a tightening around the eyes.“He’s everything Charles isn’t. Supportive. Loving. Present. I didn’t plan to fall for him, Dad. It just… happened.”Silence.Mr. Harrington turned without a word and walked back to the dining table. He poured himself a glass of water and took

The ride to her parents’ place was a psychological warzone. Sadie seemed to invent new ways to poke at him every five minutes. It took every bit of Charles’ composure not to drive the car into a pole.“Could you please not call me that ridiculous name in front of your family?” he asked as he parked.“Why?” She blinked innocently. “Afraid they’ll find out how you boss me around?”Charles sighed like his soul had aged twenty years. “I still get flashbacks to the look your mother gave me the first time she saw me. Don’t add to my trauma, I beg you.”“I’ll think about it… Daddy,” she grinned, already stepping out.Charles rubbed a hand down his face. Meeting Sadie might’ve been the worst mistake of his life. If they ever ended up in court, the judge would probably hand the gavel to God and walk away, completely unable to declare either of them innocent.He raised his head and noticed Sadie chatting with some guy in a suit who looked