---- Chapter 6 I couldn't even feel the pain when I grabbed that silver dagger with my bare hands. All I wanted was to make sure Joy was safe. Joy was sobbing uncontrollably until, finally, Ethan came running from the distance. Blood gushed from my wound. As a wave of weakness took over me, I let go of the knife at last. We only found out when we were in the medical room that the cut had gone so deep it had reached the bone. Ethan stood silently at the door for a long time. Sophia, eyes red-rimmed and swollen, came to apologize. "Victoria, I'm so sorry. I don't know that man... I was just too scared..." used every last ounce of strength to slap her across the face. Ethan, who had remained silent all this time, suddenly seemed enraged. He rushed over and ---- shielded her behind him. "Victoria! You're the one who failed to protect Joy. What right do you have to take it out on someone else? " I looked straight into his cold eyes, refusing to back down. "Ethan, I'm begging you. You can lose your mind over your new flame all you want, but don't drag our daughter into it. She's innocent!" The pain in my eyes must have gotten to him. His expression faltered for a moment, but in the end, he didn't say anything else. Sophia still held her face, sobbing softly. "I'm sorry... Ireally am..." As if conceding, Ethan averted his gaze first. "I'll take her back." His tone was flat, emotionless. Sophia paused, then carefully followed behind him. The two of them walked away, one behind the other. When she finally reached out and tugged at the hem ---- of his shirt, Ethan slowed down and pulled her into his arms. I closed my eyes and endured the pain slicing through my heart. In the days that followed, Joy would often wake up screaming from nightmares in the middle of the night. I stayed by her side constantly, trying everything I could to distract her from the lingering fear. Ethan continued to live at the hotel. The only change was that now he sent Joy a different gift every day-sometimes even for me. Limited-edition designer handbags, auctioned jewelry, full sets of luxury skincare products... All these treasures looked completely out of place among Joy's pile of toys, yet each one was worth a fortune. For Ethan, this was already his way of compromising.