His dark gaze moved from her quivering form to his bruised sons. Li Bo Yen's shoulders shook with silent tears and Li Ren buried his face into his pillow, muffling his broken sobs.
And in that moment, as silence thickened like smoke in the room, Li Feng felt something deep within him grow cold and heavy.
Without a word, he stepped inside, shoes crunching faintly over glass shards as he walked towards Shen Li.
Her lips trembled, hope flickering desperately in her eyes, Yes… comfort me… protect me… punish them…
But instead, he looked down at her with a gaze that was so empty that it made her blood run cold.
"Get up," he said softly, his voice stripped of emotions, "We need to talk."
Then, turning his back to her, he walked towards the window gazing into the garden, hands slipping silently into his pockets as the boys' quiet sobs filled the silent air.
And for the first time, Shen Li felt a sharp, crawling fear pierce through her chest, slicing it into pieces.
