Meryl's POV
"Daddy!" The word ripped from my throat as I watched him storm toward the door, my mother close behind him. My feet moved without permission, desperation driving me forward. I had to reach him. Had to make him see reason. Had to fix what Andre had just shattered.
But Andre's strong arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me back against his chest before I could take another step.
"Meryl, wait—"
"Don't touch me!" I twisted violently in his grip, my heart hammering against my ribs like a caged bird. "Let me go right now!"
"He's too upset to listen—"
"I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU THINK!" I whirled around so fast my shoulder crashed into his sternum. "You had no right to speak to him like that! What were you thinking?"
Andre's jaw tightened, his dark eyes flashing. "He needed to hear the truth."
