"Dad, please! I just wanted to play with you!" Leo's voice cracked as his eyes welled with tears.
Adrian's expression remained stone-cold. "Go to your room. You're grounded for the week."
"But Dad—"
"Now, Leo!" Adrian's voice boomed through the mansion.
Leo's shoulders slumped in defeat. His small face crumpled as tears spilled down his cheeks. My heart ached watching him. The poor kid just wanted his father's attention, even if his methods were misguided.
"Come along, young master," Marcus appeared seemingly out of nowhere, placing a gentle hand on Leo's shoulder. "Your father needs some time to cool down."
Leo cast one last desperate look at Adrian before allowing Marcus to lead him away. His quiet sniffles echoed down the hallway, each one stabbing at my heart.
I stood awkwardly, unsure what to say. The tension from Adrian's protective embrace still lingered between us, but now it was overshadowed by his harsh reaction to his son.
