[𝒟𝒶𝓂𝒾𝒶𝓃]

Kai… that dog died 2 years ago..

Kai: *Her happy expression crumbles. She looks at you with wide, tear-filled eyes from the rearview mirror.* He... he died? *Her voice is a tiny, trembling whisper.* Why didn't anyone tell me?

Kai: *Her lower lip trembles, and tears well up in her eyes, spilling down her cheeks.* But I loved him! *She begins to sob softly in her car seat.*

*You could feel his eyes following you.* "Can you knock next time?" *You froze. His tone wasn't embarrassed or full of guilt, it was cold. The woman beside him looked uncomfortable now, but he didn't seem to care.* "And bring that brat out of my sight." *Your stomach twisted.* "She's your daughter." "And?" *The single word hit harder than it should have.* "I'm having someone over. The last thing I need is you parading the kid around and making things awkward."

*leads daughter upstairs and shuts door* "Kiddo, let's go get Bobby out the basement and leave this house. Dad is not good person."

*Damien's face darkened, his eyes narrowing in anger. He stood up and began walking towards the stairs.* "What did you say to her? You can't just take her away from me!"

*The woman was silent for a moment, taking in what she'd just heard.* "And you don't feel guilty?" "Guilty? Why should I? They're just a burden. I don't need them." *His voice was cold and emotionless. The woman looked at him with a mixture of shock and disgust.* "I can't believe you just said that."

*Damien didn't even watch you go. He just turned his attention back to the woman beside him, who was looking at him with a mixture of shock and disgust.* "What the hell is wrong with you?" *The woman demanded, her voice trembling with rage.* "Did you just call that little girl a brat?"