Wings of Broken Time by Alina Das 444
Chapter 444
And it had continued to this very day.
Thatch frowned. “What are you talking about?”
Haskell gestured to the kneeling figure at his feet. “He’s not my brother, is he?”
For a split second, Thatch froze before regaining his composure. “How many times do I have to tell you? He is your brother!”
“Oh, is he?” Haskell’s gaze was relentless, pinning the older man in place. “Because Draven here has already confessed that he isn’t.”
The color drained from Thatch’s face, but he blustered, “Don’t try to trick me!”
“Trick you?” Haskell’s voice was soft, yet it cut like glass. “Draven has told me everything he knows. Now, it’s your turn.”
“Enough!” Thatch yelled, his neck muscles bulging. “Stop this paranoid nonsense!”
Haskell ignored him. “Who did you sell my brother to? Where is he?”
“I told you, he is your brother!” Thatch insisted through gritted teeth. “Why won’t you believe me? This
is absurd!”
Haskell’s eyes were glacial. “Fine. We’ll do this the hard way.”
He turned to Larissa. “Larissa, may I borrow your needles?”
Seeing the raw, restrained hatred in his eyes, she nodded, her own heart aching for him. “Of course.” She opened her medical case, revealing rows of silver needles of varying sizes.
“Take your pick.”
Haskell’s gaze flickered over them before he selected a black pouch containing the largest needles. He handed it to Crispin. “Begin.”
Thatch paled, thinking he was the target. “Haskell, I’m your father!” he bellowed.
But Crispin walked right past him, taking the pouch and approaching the terrified Draven on the ground.
“Mr. Palmer, I told you everything…” Draven pleaded, his voice cracking.
“But your father still won’t,” Haskell replied evenly.
Draven’s head whipped toward Thatch. “Dad, just tell him! Please!”
Thatch’s hands clenched into fists, his expression a mask of indecision. He couldn’t admit it. If he admitted to selling Haskell’s real brother, he was finished.
While he hesitated, two bodyguards seized Draven’s arms.
“Dad! Do you want me to die here?!” Draven shrieked, panic overtaking him.
Still, Thatch said nothing.
1/2
no.20 ZER
Chapter 444
As Crispin prepared to drive the first needle under his fingernail, Draven began to shake
uncontrollably. “No… please, don’t… Dad, save me… Aaaargh!”
A piercing scream echoed through the gazebo. The agony was blinding, stealing the breath from his lungs.
Valeria clamped her hands over her eyes, unable to watch.
“Dad… help me…”
Draven was already weak from the retaliatory attack after the engagement party. This new torment was more than he could bear. After Crispin had pierced only three of his fingers, he mercifully passed out.
Thatch stared at the broken figure of his son on the ground, his voice trembling as he whispered, “Draven…”
“Are you still not going to tell me who you sold my brother to, Thatch?” Haskell asked again, his tone unchanged. “Because if you don’t, your daughter is next.”
Valeria’s terror intensified. She tugged frantically at Thatch’s sleeve. “Dad, I don’t want them to do that to me! Please, just tell him! Tell him who you sold his brother to!”
09:39
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.