His countenance appeared pallid in the morning Light.

The doctor carried a medical kit, and Leonel saw him to the door, returning only after the car's departure... Evelyn appeared apprehensive of him.

Observing Evelyn's barely touched breakfast, Leonel intervened tenderly, “Dad will fix you something, alright?"

Evelyn continued to poke at her poached egg, murmuring, “This one's good."

Aware of Evelyn's discontent, Leonel glanced at Alexis. “You mentioned feeling unwell and wanting breakfast upstairs. Why the change of plans?"

Alexis fired back, "So now I need permission to go downstairs? Fine, from tomorrow, I'll only stay in my room then."

Her tone dripped with sarcasm.

How could Leonel miss the sarcasm?

With his hands in his pockets, he grinned. “Come on, why say that? You're free to go wherever you want. I'll tag along."

Alexis remained unconvinced.

After Evelyn finished breakfast, Alexis planned to take her upstairs and tutor her herself with her studies.

Leonel halted her. "Alexis, we need to talk."

He gestured for Evelyn to ascend first. She hesitated, casting a reluctant glance at him. His tone softened. "Be a good girl and go upstairs. Daddy needs to talk to Mommy."

After a moment's hesitation, Evelyn ascended the stairs slowly.

With Evelyn out of earshot, Leonel turned to Alexis. "We should try to get along better for Evelyn's sake, you know, both physically and mentally."

Alexis scoffed. “Isn't it a bit late for that? When you decided to keep Anika, you chose against the kids’ well-being. Do you have any idea how terrified Evelyn was when Anika tied her up? How many nightmares she's had since then? If you truly cared, you'd let us leave instead of indulging your own desires by keeping us here."

Leonel looked down.

He glanced at the needle mark on his hand, and then back at Alexis.

"Once you're pregnant and have the baby, I'll allow you to leave," he said casually.

Alexis felt a wave of suffocation wash over her.