Out Of The Shadows Tilda’s Brilliant Second Life novel Chapter 540

540 Cold Ryan

Ryan’s voice dropped to a low murmur, drained of any warmth.

+ Pearls

His face, still carrying faint traces of the man he once was, looked hard and cold, like frost settling over stone.

The air grew heavy, pressing down until Rebecca felt she could barely breathe.

Her fear was sharp and real.

At home, she had always feared her father.

Preston felt the same.

They had watched too many times as their mother, Daphne, lowered her head and swallowed her pride around him.

Whenever they made mistakes, Ryan showed no mercy.

If Daphne had not stepped in to shield them, their childhood would have been far darker.

Now the woman who had protected them was gone.

If Preston stood against Ryan, Rebecca had no idea how to stop it.

“I do. My father!” Preston’s voice cracked, sharp with anger and grief.

He was scared of Ryan, that was true.

But Daphne’s death, and Ryan’s chilling lack of emotion, sent rage burning through him.

“Dad, you were Mom’s husband. How can you act like she meant nothing after she died?

“I know your marriage started as business, but after all those years, you felt no pity for her at all?

“She lit up the world in public, but at home she had no voice. She bowed to you even after raising two children. Now she’s gone, gone in the cruelest way.

“You didn’t even look at her. You jus

turned away. She was your wife!”

“Shut your mouth!”

Ryan’s hand lashed out, striking Preston across the face.

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Chapter 540 Cold Ryan

The sound rang out, sharp and echoing through the room.

Preston’s head jerked to the side, his check burning with pain.

Inside, it felt like his heart had shattered into pieces too small to ever fit back together.

“Preston!” Rebecca cried, pushing forward to stop it.

+ Pharts

“Dad, he’s speaking out because Mom’s death hit him hard. Please don’t treat him like this.”

“Hit him hard? He’s not the only person torn by this! She’s my wife!

“She died without warning. Do you think I’m not grieving? Do you think I ever imagined this would happen? But if I stay here and sulk, will she come back?

“You’ve lived with every privilege. You think that just appeared out of nowhere? Your sister has coasted through life, spoiled, adored, and untouchable in her crowd. You think that happened. by luck?

“Your grandfather handed you this life. If he can give it, he can take it back just as fast. If I don’t stay strong, this family falls apart.

“And you, Preston. Do you have the guts to start from nothing? Do you have it in you to lose your comfort and struggle at the bottom? You don’t.”

son.

Ryan stared him down. “You still have some sense, Preston. You’re my son. Because your mother just died, I’ll let this go once.

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