Chapter 3The Legacy of the Split

On the drive, Silas didn't speak a word, staring out the window.

As the farms faded and the skyscrapers rose, his curiosity was replaced by a heavy dread.

When we pulled into the Sterling estate, he looked completely lost.

I tried to talk to him, but his face suddenly went white.

Our Husky, Duke, lunged forward, barking ferociously at the stranger.

Silas fell backward onto the gravel, trembling.

I was horrified. "Silas! Are you okay?"

My father sneered. "Scared of a dog? What a coward."

Mother sighed. "Honestly, Silas. It’s just a dog. Don't be so pathetic."

I grabbed Duke’s leash. "He’s just loud, Silas. He’s gentle. Look, you can pet him."

I pulled the dog closer.

Silas crawled backward, his eyes wild with rage. "GET HIM AWAY FROM ME!"

I signaled a maid to take the dog away.

Silas stood up, his tall frame looming over me.

His voice was shaking. "Try being locked in a shed with a starving stray for three days because you missed a chore. Then tell me he’s gentle."

I stared at him, stunned.

My father didn't care. "That was to fix your attitude. A man shouldn't be afraid of a pet."

Silas’s fists were clenched so hard his knuckles were white.

I saw the way he looked at my parents. For a second, I thought he was going to kill them.

Instead, he looked at Duke, who was happily chewing on a bone Mother had given him.

Silas looked at the dog, then at himself.

He realized he hadn't moved to a palace. He had just moved to a more expensive prison.