Michael glanced down at me, his eyes instantly hardening into ice before he turned to face Daniel. His voice was sharp with fury: “You tortured Emma like this. Don’t you think you owe me an explanation?”
“She’s my wife! How I treat her is our family business—none of your damn concern!” Daniel shouted, his bravado masking his guilt.
“Family business?” Michael scoffed, holding me tighter.
“I’ve never heard of a husband locking his wife, on the verge of giving birth, in a walk-in freezer—drenching her with ice water and crushing her with ice blocks. That’s not family business. That’s a crime.”
Trying to stay calm, Daniel pointed at Vivian. “She bullied Vivian first! She made her climb stairs while pregnant. I was just standing up for her!”
“Vivian?” Michael’s eyes swept over the woman hiding behind Daniel like she was filth. “That pathetic mistress clinging to your side?”
Vivian bristled instantly, screeching, “Who are you calling a mistress? Emma bullied me, and Mr. Miller defended me! She didn’t even die!”
“You two worthless mongrels think you can ‘teach’ Emma a lesson?” Michael’s voice thundered.
“You’re not even worthy of standing in the same room with the Carter family.”