Third person's POV
Kyrian now possessed independent consciousness and had learned to think for himself.
His initial response to the slap was not to wail but to be perplexed.
He couldn't fathom what he had done to warrant Daphne's slap.
A handprint swiftly materialized on his small face, and his right cheek instantly swelled and flushed red.
Once Daphne's fury subsided, she was immediately consumed by guilt and hastily lifted the child into her embrace. "Sweetheart, did I hurt you? I didn't mean to," she cooed, her voice thick with remorse.
She harbored a deep-seated loathing for Tabitha, but the thought of Tabitha in dire peril inexplicably lightened her mood.
A glint of excitement flickered across her face. "That despicable woman will soon be gone, and that's just delightful! Darling, you're going to have a father again. You resemble him so much. You must make him happy so that he will treat us better."
After going through ups and downs, Daphne's mental state had become severely distorted. She alternated between fits of laughter and tears. Her manic demeanor intensified Kyrian's fear of her.
His eyes brimmed with terror, and he was struck dumb, unable to voice a single word.
Chloe knocked on the door, and upon entering, was met with the sight of Kyrian's flushed and swollen face.
Daphne had previously spanked Kyrian during her emotional outbursts, but never had she slapped him.
This deeply grieved Chloe, who had raised Kyrian since he was born.
"You saw it all," Daphne stated with a chilling indifference. "I hit my own son. Why are you looking at me like that?"
Chloe struggled to keep her temper in check, her anger simmering just beneath the surface. "I want to know what Kyrian could have possibly done. How could you be so cruel to a child less than three years old? Kyrian is so well-behaved. We can hardly love him enough. How could you bring yourself to do this?"
"Outrageous!" Daphne exclaimed, indignation coloring her voice. "Who do you think you are to dare speak to me in such a manner?"
Daphne attempted to rise and confront Chloe, but she had forgotten that her leg bones were essentially shattered. She was immobilized, and as soon as she stood, she collapsed with a thud.
Chloe held Kyrian with deep concern. "In the past, I endured everything, but you've gone too far with Kyrian. Do you realize that a slap can potentially cause deafness in children?"
She had thought that Daphne would have learned her lesson after facing so many setbacks, but it seemed that some people were inherently malevolent.
Even after experiencing change, she still hadn't learned kindness. Instead, she had become more extreme, now taking out her frustrations on a child she had always longed for.
As Chloe prepared to leave with Kyrian, Daphne's demeanor changed instantly. The arrogance drained from her face.
"Where are you going?"
"For nearly a year, Kyrian has trained alone, becoming strong and confident. It was only when you wept and pleaded to see him that Alpha Derek granted you this chance. But how long has it been since he came to your side and became so sensitive? The truth is, you are simply unfit to be a mother, let alone raise Kyrian."
Daphne burst into tears, her voice breaking as she begged, "Chloe, I was wrong. Please don't send him away. I promise I won't do it again. I was just angry because I heard him call Tabitha Mom instead of me. I swear I'll treat him well. Please don't tell Derek."
Daphne was aware that she had almost squandered Randall's favor with Derek, and if she provoked Derek further, it wouldn't be as simple as just ending the engagement.
She and the Amber's Eye Pack would be finished.
She writhed on the ground like a beached fish, her tears flowing freely as she pleaded, "Chloe, I beg you. Please give me another chance, okay?"