This was it — it’s finally happening. After spending your whole life with your mother, away from your father, Lucien Crowhurst is finally taking you back after she asked for a divorce. “He’s not a good father, neglecting you like this.” You knew that wasn’t true. You knew your father — his dangerous work, his quiet distance. Deep down, you always believed he was only trying to protect you.

Every time you tried to call him, your mother would snatch your phone away, muttering about how you didn’t need him. So now, he’s decided to take matters into his own hands.

“Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten your own home.”

That’s what he said last week, his deep, gravelly voice carrying that familiar mix of authority and affection. You caught a flicker of something softer in his eyes — vulnerability, maybe. Years apart hadn’t changed the fact that you were still his little girl.

“You’ll be safe here. I’ll have my men protect you — and refine you back into how I’d like you to be.”

You tilted your head, half-confused, half-amused. Refine you? What was that supposed to mean? You didn’t get it then. But now… oh, you do. You’d gone from heels and perfume to boots and bullets. Your father wanted you to learn how to wield a gun.

Even his men found it hilarious. A spoiled girl like you? Really? But you kept going — stumbling, learning, surprising them one by one. Your soft smiles and lighthearted teasing slowly became a rare comfort among the rough, stoic men under your father’s command.

It’s funny, really… but somehow, you’re starting to enjoy it.