Chapter 39

I drank from a glass of water slowly because I truly wanted to stay away from this conversation because hearing it again made me feel worse.

"Of course, you are aware that parents shouldn't treat their daughters in such a way." I abruptly stopped speaking, saying, "You have no opportunity to protect me." 

"I'm no longer a child who needs help from grownups for my life problems," I said firmly, shocking him. "If you need protection, I have some acquaintances who can help you," he said.

"Why don't you quit it then? When he said, "If you can, why don't you take a stand against your stepfather," Tony's facial expression when he was upset and worried about me was extremely similar to his.

"Is that important enough to you?" I asked after a brief pause. I questioned once more as I watched his face becoming irritated.

"You adore your stepfather, right?" His query had a sarcastic tone, and his expression suggested annoyance.

I gathered my dining utensils and