Chapter 2 Isabella recoiled at the lethal chill in my voice. She knew I wasn't joking. Her hands trembled as she finally pressed the code on the door. Beep. The door clicked open. I didn't bother looking at her and strode inside. As soon as I entered the foyer, I noticed the massive wedding portrait had been taken down. It had been replaced by a family portrait-Isabella, Richard, and a young boy. She smiled warmly in the picture, posing as the rightful lady of the house. The handmade Italian rug I'd personally selected was gone, swapped for a gaudy gold-pattered carpet. The art I'd collected from around the world had vanished. The walls were plastered with posters of Isabella's solo piano recitals. The air was thick with the cloying sweetness of cheap perfume, making me nauseous. Isabella trailed behind me, still babbling excuses as my expression darkened. "Catherine...don't be angry. Richard said this was for my safety, just a temporary arrangement..." Her words grew more jumbled, her voice softer, each word only feeding the inferno of my rage. At that moment, a boy of four or five came rushing down the stairs. He clutched Isabella's leg and proudly held up a shredded, tattered doll. "Mom! Look! I tore up that ugly thing! She can't play with it anymore!" My blood ran cold. That doll was one-of-a-kind, custom-made. It was a birthday gift for my daughter Emily, handmade by my father, the decorated General Hayes himself. In an instant, the pieces snapped together. Richard wasn't just having an affair. He had conspired with this woman to setal my home, and they were abusing my daughter! My eyes locked on the mother and son, my voice dropping to a deadly calm I'd never heard myself use before. "Where's my daughter, Emily?" Isabella's face turned white with panic. But the boy, oblivious, pointed at me and yelled arrogantly. "Who's this crazy woman? Get out of my house! That little mute? She was bad, so Daddy locked her away to think about what she did!" Before he could finish, Isabella hastily clamped her hand over his mouth. A white-hot, buzzing static filled my mind. Then came the tidal wave of fury and fear. Chapter 2 1.71% I tore through the house like a woman possessed, checking every room, every closet, but Emily was nowhere to be found. Isabella sobbed behind me, pleading for me to stop. Her cries grated on my nerves. I spun around and shoved her to the floor. I searched the entire villa, leaving only the locked door to the basement. A horrific realization dawned. I knew. I drew my leg back to kick the door in. Just them, Isabella, fueled by unknown strength, lunged in front of me like a mad dog, blocking the door. "You can't go in! Catherine, please!" Blind rage consumed me. I aimed a kick at her, roaring, "Get out of my way! Or I'll take you down too!" "Stop!"A voice I knew too well cut through the chaos, sharp and commanding. It was Richard. Before I could react, he lunged forward, driving a foot into my abdomen. Pain shot through me, and I collapsed to the floor. He didn't spare me a glance, rushing past to gather Isabella into his arms. "Isabella, are you okay? I received a call about an intruder. Did that madwoman hurt you?" She melted against him, silent except for her shoulders shaking with sobs, tears streaking her face. Richard's heart clenched. He softened his voice, murmuring comforts to her. "Hush now, my love. I'm here. Anyone who dares break into my home and lay a hand on you...has a death wish." He spoke with those eyes I had once loved, glaring at me with venom. But his threat died halfway on his lips. Chapter 2 1.71%