“MOM!” Vivianne yelled in panic before quickly running into the house.
Beckett followed her. His smile from earlier vanished as they had managed to save Nathan and Dylan. Now, concern enveloped his being because of the shout he just heard.
As they reached the second floor, they saw Ella sitting on the floor in front of the room, glaring angrily at Alfred. Alfred, on the other hand, just stood there, his right hand poised as if to slap Ella while gritting his teeth.
“Mom!” Vivianne approached her mother before looking at her face. “Are you okay? Did he hurt you? Do you feel any pain?”
Ella shook her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. Beckett also approached them and examined Ella’s face.
“She’s not hurt. There are no bruises on her face and arms, and there’s no swelling either,” Beckett said, still looking at Ella. “She might have panicked because she thought she’s in danger. It’s the trauma that speaks for her. Right, Alfred?”
Alfred clenched the hand that moments ago was poised to hurt Ella. But he couldn’t do that because he still needed Vivianne. However, he couldn’t accept that his plan had failed.
“Vivianne, didn’t I tell you not to interfere?” Alfred asked, but his gaze was fixed on Beckett. “And for every mistake you make, there will be consequences.”
Vivianne was taken aback when Alfred approached her and slapped her hard. The sound echoed in the hallway.
The girl instinctively held her cheek, tears welling up in her eyes. Alfred’s slap was strong, but that wasn’t what made Vivianne cry now.
She should be used to this treatment… But was Alfred really her father? Why did he treat them like animals by hurting the mother and daughter?
“Alfred!” Ella stood up and grabbed Alfred’s collar. “I know you never really loved me and just used me, but she’s still your daughter!”
“I don't have a disobedient child who doesn't know how to follow me, Ella,” Alfred firmly replied before removing his wife's grasp. “And yes, you're right. She's my daughter, but does she see me as her father? No. So why should I treat her like a daughter?”
‘It’s true,’ Vivianne thought. ‘But why does it hurt so much to hear?’
“Fucking bastard!”
The girl snapped out of her thoughts upon hearing Beckett’s voice. She turned to her husband, her eyes widening as she saw Beckett approaching Alfred to throw a punch.
His eyes were fiery, and Vivianne knew it would bring permanent chaos between them once it happened. So she quickly approached her husband and hugged him from behind.
“Don't, Beckett,” Vivianne pleaded as she hugged him tighter, causing Beckett to stop moving.
Just like Alfred earlier, Beckett’s hand was poised to throw a punch. He badly wanted to punch Alfred, but Vivianne’s embrace was stopping him.
“Useless.” Alfred glared at them before descending the stairs directly and leaving them.
Meanwhile, Ella was assisted by one of the servants into the room, leaving Beckett and Vivianne in the hallway. Vivianne released her embrace and leaned against the wall. 
Her heart was pounding so hard that she was trying hard to calm herself.
But she couldn't do that if Beckett was close to her.
“Are you hurt?” Beckett asked as he looked at her face—checking if she had any wounds or bruises. “You shouldn't have stopped me from beating your father to death. I'm more than capable of killing him.”
“But you’re not like that, Beckett… And I don't want you to be like that either.” Vivianne's hands caressed her husband's cheeks, trying to calm him down. “In this situation, we need to remain calm even though it’s difficult.”
“Says the one who panicked when I saved the child,” Beckett chuckled.
“You still don't fully know Alfred. When I mess up like this, he directs his anger towards my mom,” Vivianne explained. “So I’m puzzled. He never once hesitated to hurt my mom, but earlier, he paused.”
“He will never hurt your mom,” Beckett said.
Vivianne furrowed her brow. “And how can you be sure?”
“As long as I'm your husband and you're close to me, she'll remain safe. He will use you… so he can use me too. At least, that’s what he thought.” Beckett held Vivianne's hand that was on her face. “To win this fight, you need to be stronger than before.”
“I know.” The girl sighed. “Sometimes, it's just hard, especially when you see your loved ones struggling too.”
“I can relate to that feeling,” said Beckett. He felt the same thing when it came to Vivianne before. “If you’re having a hard time, then hold my hand… We’ll go through this together.”
Vivianne didn't know how to feel when she heard those words. She felt secure and scared at the same time. She was afraid to depend too much on Beckett… because what if one day, he suddenly disappears?
She’d go crazy if that happened.
Beckett's cell phone rang, so they released each other for a moment. The young man looked at the message sent to him.
“They’re in the police station now. Do you want to come with me?” Beckett asked, and Vivianne nodded. “But take all things you need to bring first. We're heading straight to Agrianthropos.”
She might need to do something to Alfred again when they return here. Trying to act casual in front of his parents’ murderer is no joke. She's called on every saint just to lengthen her patience.
Vivianne hastened to organize her things. She brought some of her photo albums which contain pictures with Ella, and with Beckett, too. Whenever she felt sad, she looked at them.
Somehow, it lightened her mood.
“I’m ready,” Vivianne said as they reached the parking lot of their house, carrying a large white tote bag. “This is everything I need, and I also brought a few clothes.”
Beckett just nodded, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. He straightened up and opened the passenger seat. Once Vivianne got in, Beckett took the driver’s seat.
“Where’s the driver?” Vivianne asked with a furrowed brow.
“I instructed him to go home,” Beckett replied.
“You’re going to drive to Agrianthropos?”
“Just to the pier. We’ll only be taking a ship there.” Beckett started the car but continued talking to Vivianne. “I’ll leave the car there once we board the ship. We’ll be back in here in a few days anyway.”
“I see.” Vivianne nodded as she looked at her husband. “But won’t you get tired? We just came back from Italy, and you didn’t rest at the mansion either. Your body might be forced.”
“Not really. I’m used to working non-stop without any rest.”
Vivianne's lips parted in surprise, recalling Beckett’s intense schedule back when she was his dress stylist. She even surrendered to Beckett first during those times, while Beckett still had so much energy to work.
“If you work like that on something you don’t even like, how much more if it’s your passion, right? You must be really hardworking,” Vivianne said, now looking out the window.
“I didn’t love the job, but I loved being with you.”
Vivianne suddenly felt tongue-tied upon hearing those words. Her face flushed, and she felt warm despite the air conditioning in the car.
“We’re here,” Beckett said after a few minutes, and since Vivianne was lost in thought earlier, she didn’t notice they were already in front of the police station.
Beckett got out of the car and opened the door for his wife. “Let’s go.”
“Okay…”
They entered together, and Vivianne’s entire body felt cold upon seeing the child sitting inside the police station.