Zara, still dazed by Nathaniel's sudden appearance and confusing behavior, simply nodded and led him to the hall like someone sleepwalking through a dream. Her mind spun with questions she couldn't find answers to.
They settled on the sofa, the air tense.
Isaac wasted no time defending himself. "Don't take it the wrong way. As a father, I was merely trying to teach her how to speak respectfully. She insulted her mother—"
"She is not my mother," Zara interjected sharply.
Isaac's face flushed with anger. "You! Is that how you talk to your elders?"
Before the tension could escalate further, Nathaniel chimed in, "Mr. Moore, I don't appreciate anyone belittling my family in my presence. Zara may be your daughter, but she is my wife. Disrespecting her is no different than disrespecting me. So please, choose your words carefully, especially while I'm here."
