Irene waited until everyone was seated around the kitchen table before speaking.

"Irene, this had better be good," Alexander warned. "I only agreed to have this ridiculous meeting to show you and the kids that I'm trying very hard to keep this family together."

"I've got things to do, Dad," Stephan pouted. "I don't see why I have to be here." He glanced at Irene, then back to his father. "She's probably gonna start it again. Remember what Gramma said."

"What did your mother say, Alexander?" Irene asked in a calm voice.

"Nothing."

"Alexander, this is part of our problem. If you have to hide things from me, then there's no sense in even having this meeting."

His eyes flashed angrily. "Look, my mother sees right through you! You're deliberately trying to get me to lose my temper." His jaw tightened. "Its not going to work, lady! I am the head of this house and you can shove your meeting!"

Irene looked at Serena and Lita, who quietly listened to the exchange. "Before I met you, Alexander, the girls and I had frequent family meetings. It's part of our bonding process."

Stephan snickered. "Gramma's right, Dad. They're a bunch of nuts!"

"I will no longer tolerate you using that tone with me or making fun of me, Stephan," Irene said sharply.

"Shove it!" he snarled.

"You make me sick, Stephan You're nothing but a wimp who runs to Daddy the way your father runs to his Mommy. Why don't you both grow up!" Lita snapped.

"Do you think you're big enough to make me?"

"Oh, that's great! I wonder how everyone at school would like to know that you beat up girls," Serena warned. "You're just like your father!"

"That's enough! You two ungrateful bitches apologize to my son right now!"

Lita laughed. "Apologize to him?" She rolled her eyes, and then turned sharply toward her stepfather. "You should be the one to apologize to us for all the unfair punishments and slamming us around!"

"You're a liar!" Alexander thundered. "You and your sister need help!"

"Mom, since this is going nowhere, can I please go now? I want to call Morrison and find out what's on for tomorrow."

"Okay, honey." Irene smiled at her. Lita rose from the table, and as she headed toward the door Alexander roughly grabbed her arm.

"Where do you think you're going? Your month isn't up!"

"Let go of me!"

He squeezed harder. Lita winced.

"Mom!"

"Alexander, let go of her!" Irene demanded.

He released her, and Lita ran from the room. Alexander stood as though frozen for a few seconds, and then slowly let his breath out as he fixed his attention on his wife. "How dare you undermine my authority!" he hissed. He slapped her across the face.

Irene's hand flew to her burning cheek. She stared contemptuously at him. "I warned you what I would do if you ever touched me again."

"Don't threaten me!"

Serena ran to her mother's side. "Don't you touch my mother again!"

"She asked for it," Stephan said with a laugh in his voice.

Irene looked at her stepson with pity. It really wasn't his fault. Alexander would have to live with the consequences of his upbringing. She could see what his future would be like and the abuse some woman would undeservedly endure.

"Get out!" Irene firmly said.

"What?" Alexander sneered.

She met his eyes evenly. "You heard me. I've had enough." She took the wedding band from her finger and laid it on the table without taking her eyes from his. "It's over, Alexander. I will never, and I repeat never, allow myself or my daughters to ever again live this way."

"Don't you dare threaten me!" His eyes darted back and forth. "You put that ring back on. I'll call Pastor Walker and ask him to come over. He'll calm you down."

"No. I won't attend that church ever again. I don't know what you told Pastor Walker and I don't care. I will no longer listen to his twisted preaching."

"You need help, Irene." He looked at Serena. "You know that your mother needs help. Why do you keep defending her?"

Serena slowly shook her head. "I feel sorry for you, Alexander, because you have to live with yourself."

"My Dad never had any problems until we met you guys," Stephan said.

"Stephan, deep down you know that's a lie," Serena said calmly. "If your father is such a great guy, then why are you so screwed up?"

Stephan raised his fist.

"Go ahead," Serena said calmly. "What if I call Darien? Let's see you raise your fist to him. But you won't. You're just like your father. You only know how to beat women. It makes you feel good." She stared at him. "But remember, I'm not afraid of you. It only shows what a wimp you really are."

"You wait," Stephan warned. "Some day you're gonna get it when you least expect it."

Serena laughed. "I'm shaking."

"Knock it off!" Alexander yelled. "See what you've done!" he accused, looking at Irene. "Now you've got them fighting."

"No, Alexander, you do because you've never taught your son respect for anyone," Irene answered.

Alexander slapped her, bringing everyone's eyes to his. "Look, I didn't mean to slap you. You just provoked me."

"Like all the other times? The cut, scratches, bruises, broken collar bone?" She looked at her arm. "And this?"

"They were accidents, Irene. You know that." His voice was calmer now.

"No, Alexander, they were acts of violence. Acts I never should have allowed. I was wrong to let you hurt me." Tears filled her eyes. "I loved you so much! I thought I could change you. I was wrong, because you have to want to change on your own." She looked into his eyes. "I don't dislike you, Alexander, but I don't love you either. You've destroyed any love I ever felt for you."

"Irene, we can get through this. I'll change," he said desperately.

"It's the same tired old promises, Alexander."

"I'll do whatever you ask," he pleaded.

"Go. I refuse to live with you any longer."