Olivia’s Point of View

The morning sun streamed through the windows of my home office, casting long shadows across the desk. Joseph sat in the chair opposite me, his posture stiff, face clouded with anger. Elliott stood quietly behind my chair, a steady presence that gave me courage. In the next room, Mia’s soft voice repeated words after her private tutor, safe and unaware of the tension building here.

I took a deep breath. “Joseph, it’s time for you to leave.”

His eyes widened, ...