"Protect? Of course, I'll protect! You're my father; she's my mother. Both the palm and the back of the hand are flesh—I can't choose between you!"
Evelyn Lucas shielded Tara Hammond, shut her eyes tightly, and put on a look of steely resolve, ready to face whatever may come.
"Dad, if you want to hit Mom out of anger, then hit me instead. Just kill me while you're at it and make it all end!"
"Evelyn, you…"
Theodore Lucas looked at his daughter, who was now standing in front of Tara Hammond to protect her, and suddenly found himself unable to act—he couldn't hit her, nor could he back down.
At that moment, a voice filled with frigid sarcasm and mockery sounded from directly behind Theodore Lucas.
"Theodore Lucas, there was a time I wished you were dead, but now I realize, you're not even worth hating…" Mr. Lucas had appeared behind Theodore Lucas unannounced.
