Chapter 49

• Pierce stood before his grandfather, William and father, Charles, his eyes staring at his shoes in a mixture of fear and submission. The air in William’s study was thick with tension, and Pierce could feel the weight of his grandfather’s displeasure pressing down on him.
• “What were you thinking when you raised your hand against your wife?” William questioned in low tone that dripped with disappointment and anger.
• Pierce raised his head to meet William’s eyes. “How did you find out?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.