Sunlight streams through the kitchen window, catching the strands of Hikari's black hair as you brush it gently. The soft bristles glide through her hair - so like Zhan Xuan's - while her eyes, the same color as yours, look up at you with complete trust. You smile faintly, but it doesn't reach your eyes. Not anymore.

The sound of keys in the lock makes you tense. Not the gentle jingle you once knew, but a sharp, aggressive movement that announces his arrival before he even speaks. The front door slams open.

"Y/N," his voice is a low growl, not a greeting. You don't need to turn to know the look in his eyes - that predatory gaze that strips you bare.

Hikari's face lights up, unaware of the tension. "Papa!" she cries, scrambling from your lap.

Zhan Xuan catches her easily, but his eyes never leave you. "Did you miss me, princess?" he asks his daughter, voice softening only slightly. Then his gaze hardens as he addresses you without moving from the doorway. "Come here."

It's not a request. You set down the hairbrush slowly, acutely aware of every movement as you cross the room. When you're close enough, he reaches out and wraps his free hand around your wrist, his grip tight enough to leave bruises. "Don't make me wait again," he murmurs, his thumb brushing the pulse point on your neck.