My Husband and My Child Both Betrayed Me

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I was refused to pick up my son from his school.

Reason; I was not mentioned as his mother or any close relatives.

Is this a kind of joke? Im his mother! I almost lost my calm on the security guard. In return, he only looked at me with a pair of suspicious eyes before saying,

We know who his mother is. She picks him up everyday. And, it's clearly not you.

Ill let him go only when Mr. Jake Vance or Linda Vance come to pick him up, that is Leos biological parents.

Linda Vance. Jakes sister-in-law.

The blood in my veins didn't just run cold, it turned into shards of ice.

"Linda Vance?" I repeated, my voice cracking on the name. "Linda is my sister-in-law. Shes... shes his aunt."

The guard didnt even blink. He tapped the laminated emergency contact card clipped to his clipboard. "The file says 'Mother: Linda Vance.' Its been that way since enrollment, ma'am. And frankly, the boy calls her 'Mama.' Ive seen it myself for two years."

Two years. Leo had started at this prestigious private academy shortly after I finally returned from my extended recovery in the Swiss Alpsthe one Jake insisted I needed because my "post-partum nerves" were too fragile.

He had handled all the paperwork. He had chosen the school. He had told me I didn't need to worry about the morning drop-offs because he wanted me to rest.

There must be some confusion I thought. But, I did not argue with the guard. I simply took a photo of the contact card and rushed back to see Jake.

How could he possibly make such a mistake, giving Lindas name in place of mine?

The drive home was a blur of white knuckles and screeching tires. Its a clerical error, I told myself, though the lie felt like ash in my mouth.

I slipped through the heavy mahogany front doors, my breath coming in jagged gasps. I didn't call out for him. I didn't drop my keys. Something in the suffocating silence of the foyer told me to move like a shadow.

The sound of a giggle led me to our bedroom. The door was ajarjust a dim light on.

You called me to your den in broad daylight. What if your wife finds out? Lindas voice drifted out, provocative and seductive.

She won't! Jake smirked. She is gone to pick up Leo.

By the time she returns, we will have finished.

I froze. My hand, halfway to the door handle, began to tremble.

Jake and Linda. Together in our bed?

The world seemed to tilt on its axis. and I barely managed myself from collapsing.

You sent her to Jakes school? Lindas voice sounded, packed. What if she finds out?

You removed her fetus and inserted ours when she was pregnant and let her deliver our baby. Are you really not scared if she discovers the truth?

"Relax, Linda," Jakes voice was smooth, the same velvet tone he used to lull me to sleep when I complained of headaches.

"Even if one day she finds out, there is nothing to worry about. She pours her heart into raising Leo so that we can enjoy ourselves, isn't she? He joked. And the sound of clothes rubbing against each other echoed in the room.

I could hear Linda giggling beneath Jake. Still, she was not satisfied. She began, What if-

There is no if, Linda. Jake shut her off, the voice almost sounded like a peck on her lips before he continued. She is harmless now that she can't have her own baby.

"The 'vitamins' the clinic in Switzerland put her on? They weren't for her nerves. They caused chronic uterine scarring. By the time we brought her home, she was completely sterile. Shell never carry another child. Shell spend the rest of her life clinging to Leo because hes all she thinks she has left."

I felt the floor drop out from under me. The miracle recovery. The daily supplements he insisted I take. The post-partum pain that never quite went away. He hadn't been healing me; he had hollowed me out.

"It was a perfect swap," Linda sighed, her voice dropping to a low, intimate purr. "The nurses at that clinic were paid well. Stacys real baby... well, its a shame it didn't survive the 'breach.' But Leo? My Leo is Vance through and through. Your fathers millions stay in our pocket, and Stacy gets to play nanny for the rest of her life."

I backed away from the door, my heart hammering so hard it felt like it would burst through my ribs.

My recovery was a prison.

My son was the evidence of their adultery.

And my body was a graveyard they had built together.

I reached the foyer and gripped the banister to keep from collapsing. A cold, predatory fire ignited in the pit of my stomach, burning through the shock. They had taken my health, my child, and my future. They thought I was an empty vessel.

Just then the front door swung open. The school guard came to drop Leo home. I stood paralyzed as Leo ran towards the bedroom, his small face glowing.

"Leo," I choked out, reaching for him with trembling hands. "Mommys here."

Even if he was not my biological son, I still raised him for three years before Jake made me reluctantly leave.

He was my son!

But, he flinched, stepping back as if I were a stranger.

"You're not Mommy," he muttered, his voice cold with a learned disdain that didn't belong to a child.

"Auntie Stacy is always sad and messy. Mama Linda says you're just the lady who lives in the guest wing."

Because of you Mama Linda can't stay here. I hate you. I hate you.

The boy I had bled for, the boy whose every nightmare I had soothed looked at me not with love, but with the same chilling apathy as the man upstairs.

Fine I spat, letting go of the last of the warmth my heart had,Call Mommy whoever you want. Im done.

I let go of the last string holding me back to this home, to this family.

Now, I was done being the perfect wife and mother, this crown of lies- I will rather throw it away!

The noise finally drew the monsters from their lair. Jake appeared at the top of the stairs, hastily buttoning a shirt, his face flushed. Behind him, Linda leaned against the doorframe, wrapped in a silk robe that was far too familiar. She didn't look afraid, she looked content.

What is she doing in my bedroom? I asked, staring at Jake.

Linda came to visit you, Stacy. She stained her dress with the cake she brought for Leo. So, I gave her your nighties. He explained, not a single curve of hesitation appeared on his forehead, a sign how good he was at lying that I could never see before.

Mama Linda Leo threw himself in Lindas arms, kissing her cheeks affectionately he said, I miss you, Mama Linda. Why don't you stay with us anymore?

It seems like you have been visiting Jake and Leo more oftenly, Linda. He is closer to you than I, as if you are his biological mother. I said, the word sounded so bitter that I almost bit my tongue.

While you were away, Linda used to take care of Leo. It's natural he will be close to her. Don't overthink too much, Stacy. Leo is your child. Jake answered, his voice ever so convincing to believe.

Linda walked into the kitchen and came back with a papaya cake in her hand.

Look, What I have brought for you! She said, showing the cake in front of Leo. Leos eyes lit up. He quickly grabbed the spoon and was about to dig in.

My mothers instincts worked ahead as I held his hand and looked at Linda, Do you know how much sugar this cake contains? Is this how you have been taking care of my child while I was away?

Stacy I-I made this with my own hands. What's wrong in letting him feed a little sugar? It's not like he is diabetic or something.

Diabetic or not! This much sugar is not suitable for children. I said, And I won't allow anyone to poison my son!

I intentionally emphasised my son and Linda went on crying. Why do you hate me so much, Stacy? I just love Leo because he is Taylor's nephew. I consider him as my own child. Is it wrong?

Stacy! You are going too far. Jake snapped. Linda didn't mean to hurt Leo. She has been taking care of him for the past two years when you were gone.

But, I have returned, haven't I? I began, Do you think she loves him more than I? If that is so, why don't you just announce her as Leos mother just like you mentioned it in his school?

Jake's eyes widened in surprise. The realization made him flinch for a moment before he regained his calm as he said, There must be a technical error, Stacy. Linda accompanied Leo in the school for his admission. So, they must have misunderstood her relationship with him.

Stacy, why do you hate me so much? Linda sobbed, her face as pitiful as if she had been continuously bullied by me. If you want I will stop visiting Leo and Jake. But, please don't put fake allegations on me. As Taylor's widow, I feel deeply hurt.

Seeing tears in Lindas eyes, Jake rushed to her side. He immediately pulled her in his arms as if deeply hurt to see her crying. He then looked at me, his eyes instantly darkened.

That's enough, Stacy. Apologize to Linda right now!

Apologize for what, Jake? Speaking facts? I asked, my eyes wet despite trying hard not to cry.

To say I was not hurt seeing him comforting Linda, would be a lie.

Even when I hated the man who stained our marriage and the morals by having physical intimacy with his brother's woman and decided to leave him for good, my heart bled seeing him holding her.

The man I chased for a decade had hugged another woman right before my eyes, wiping her tears off and kissing her gently yet he had the audacity to call me out for slandering her.

I thought you were more mature than this! He spat, But, I can now see what kind of a woman you are, Stacy.

While we were arguing, Leos small face twisted into pure rage. He grabbed the heavy Lalique paperweight from the console tablea gift Jake had given me for our third anniversaryand hurled it with a strength born of pure spite.

It caught me square on the temple.

The world didn't go black; it turned a searing, electric white. I felt the warm, sticky slide of blood beginning to mat my hair, dripping down my cheek and onto the cream silk of my blouse. I staggered, my vision fracturing into a kaleidoscope of pain.

"Leo! What have you done?" I gasped, clutching the banister as my knees buckled.

You are not my Mommy, Mama Linda is! He yelled, Stay away from us.

His whole body was trembling, not in fear but rage. Linda jumped to his side. Looking at Jake, she said, Jake, Leo is shivering! We should get him to the hospital.

He didn't look at the blood gushing from my head. He didn't look at the jagged gash that would undoubtedly leave a scar. Instead, he gathered Leo into his arms, shielding him as if I were a rabid animal.

"Stacy, for god's sake," Jake snapped, his voice vibrating with disgust. "Look at what youve done. Youve terrified the boy so much he felt he had to protect himself."

"He... he hit me, Jake," I whispered, the floor swaying beneath me. "Hes bleeding me out, and youre worried about his feelings?"

"Its just a scratch," He spat before he rushed towards the front door, You will be alright. But, Leo he is a child.

He left me just like that, bleeding. Linda tugged by his side, he started his car and left.

I stared at my hand that was dyed red in blood because of pressing it on my temple to stop the bleeding.

Now, I let the blood stream down as I grabbed the phone and dialed a number I thought I would never.

You were right! There are people who are worse than you. Help me leave Jake Vance and his whole estate just like you did, Taylor.

In return, Ill give you what you always wanted. My body.

As I hung up the call, I recalled the old memories with Leo. Two years ago, I used to be his whole world. He did not leave by my side even for a second and always called me mommy, making me feel like the luckiest person on the planet.

I stared at the blood. I said, Three years of affection, three years of making me feel the mother I always wanted to be, Leo, I repaid you today with my blood. After today, there will be no ties between us.

Later that night as Jake walked into our room, he was stunned to see the deep cut on my forehead.

Stacy his voice trembled for a moment. If I had not seen him with his brothers woman, making out in the same bed he shared with me for three years, I would assume his shock was genuine.

Why didn't you tell me your wound was this deep? he rushed to my side after picking the first-aid box I had tossed around.

Let me clean it for you. He reached out to clean the wound. But, I brushed his hands off, saying in an indifferent voice, It's merely a scratch, Jake. No need to worry.

After throwing out these words, I got up in my chair. Making my way to the door, I said. Im going to sleep in the guest room. Im feeling suffocated here.

Stacy he whispered, Is this about the morning?

If you want Leo and me not to see Linda-

It's alright. I cut him off, I have no problem with it. After all, she raised him while I was away.

He reached out to me. Holding my hands, he pulled me in his arms. The same arms that had held Linda hours before. The smell of her perfume still lingered around him and made me feel like throwing up. My gaze swept under his collarbone, a lipstick mark printed on it. The shade of lipstick Linda had worn today.

I quietly broke our hug.

As if a burden getting released, he took a sigh of relief.

I knew it. He said, You have always been mature and kind. Elder Brother died before giving a child to Linda. It's our responsibility to make her feel comfortable. After all, she is a family member.

Is this so? I asked, raising my eyebrows. Do you only see her as your sister-in-law?

A moment of hesitation flickered through his eyes. I could feel his heart skipping a beat before he regained his composure as he replied, Linda and I have a history, Stacy. But, that's all in the past. The day after she got married to my elder brother, I never had any bad thoughts about her.

He was lying on my face!

But, I did not expose him. I simply smiled and walked away.

The memories of our first night abruptly played in my head. That night, he came drunk. Undressing me, he threw me on bed, deflowered me and told me I was the only woman he loved.

But, the last word coming out of his lips, drained all the blood from my body. He whispered, I love you Linda. Please, don't leave me.

That day, I knew Linda was his first love. But, she was his sister-in-law, and as an adopted child of Vance family, I knew how much value they gave to blood relation. I knew it was impossible between Jake and Linda.

Being blinded in love and affection I had for him since childhood, I believed I would change his heart. So what if Linda was his first love, I would be his last.

But, I was wrong.

I failed to win his heart. Despite sharing a bed with him for three years, from learning new skills just to impress him during the night to cooking meals and taking care of his chores, I could not shake the desire he had for Linda in his heart.

Looking back at me, I had really been living in delusion.

The sound of my phones vibration pulled me back from the Abyss of darkness as I looked at my screen. It was Taylor, the man I expected would be the last I would seek help from.

[Everything is planned. In the next three days, you will be dead to the entire world.] He had texted.

[There is no turning point after faking your death, Stacy. You still don't. Because no matter what Im coming to get you even if it costs me everything I have built for years]

I quickly texted him before I threw my phone aside. [My decision is final. Im leaving Jake and Leo for good. Never coming back.]

After I texted Taylor, I threw myself on the bed laid on the guest room. A small luggage was placed in the corner. I did not need to pack anything. I hadn't unpacked my stuff yet after arriving from Switzerland.

As I stared at the plane ceiling of the guest room, I told myself. Just three more days, hang on. After that, Ill be free.

The next morning, Jake left for the office early. He seemed pissed at the time of leaving because I did not prepare his breakfast. However, he chose to be quiet.

Later, as I was taking my coffee, Linda walked into our home. As soon as Leo saw her, he threw himself in her arms.

Giving her morning kiss, he said, Mama Linda! I missed you so much.

Linda gave me a side glance, expecting to see jealousy and hurt on my expression. But, I showed none.

I continued taking the sip of my coffee while scrolling my phone, completely unaffected by their little depiction of affection.

Mama Linda, please drop me at school. I don't like to go with Mommy. She is not as pretty as you. Leo said, And, she doesn't take me to eat ice-cream like you do.

If it was in the past, I would have argued with Linda for hours about taking Leo to eat ice-creams as early as morning. But, the present me, didn't care at all.

However, Linda could not tolerate my silence. She walked on her high heels and stopped just before me.

Leo is used to calling me Mamma, Stacy. Hope you don't mind. She said, trying to provoke me.

It's alright! When he was one year old, he used to call our toilet cleaner Mamma and then the maid and one day he saw a bartender and called her Mamma, I don't mind at all. I said. He can call Mamma whoever he wants, I don't mind.

He wants you to take him to school, then please do it. He has been a trouble to me, anyways. I added, You have saved me a day, Linda. Now, I can happily do shopping with the card Jake gave me last night.

You- she hissed. But soon a smugful smile appeared on her lips as she added, You are so sweet, Stacy. I guess you definitely wouldn't have minded Jake for taking me on a date yesterday because he thought I was sad.

He even gave me a full body massage with his own hands and helped me relieve stress by ah, let's not talk about that.

She leaned closer to my ears as she whispered, Thanks for letting him practice on you for three years. So, he could make me feel good in bed afterwards!

He used to be clueless before. But now, he has grown into a really dashing man who knows how to do it. All thanks to you.

My hands clenched into the Coffee Mug. So, I had really been a substitute for Jake to have practiced until his true love finally came to him.

But, I didn't want to entertain Linda by letting her see through me. I simply smiled as I stood up.

You are right. I don't mind. I said, You want Jake? You can have him. You want Leo? You can have him too. Im done with both of them.

Having said that, I walked out of the house. I just couldn't tolerate her anymore.

I was in the driveway, intending to drive far away. I was seconds away from turning the key and never looking back when a piercing scream ripped through the quiet of the estate.

"Stacy! No! Please!"

I spun around. Linda was standing ten feet behind my car, her clothes torn, her face smeared with dirt. She threw herself onto the gravel, rolling and sobbing as if shed been struck.

"Help! Jake! Shes trying to kill me!"

Jake charged out from his car, his face contorted. Leo was right behind him, his small face pale, clutching a toy soldier.

"What happened?" Jake roared, rushing to Lindas side.

"Leo asked me to drop him at school!" Linda wailed, pointing a trembling finger at me. "She got angry... She said I was snatching her son. So, shed make sure I never walked again! She put the car in reverse and floored it, Jake! If I hadn't jumped..."

"I saw it!" Leo shouted, his voice high and shrill, perfectly rehearsed. "I was looking out the window! Mommy aimed right for Mama Linda. She was smiling, Daddy. She looked like a monster!"

I stood paralyzed, the keys heavy in my hand. "I haven't even started the engine, Jake. The car is in park. Look at the gravelthere are no tire marks!"

Jake didn't look at the gravel. He looked at Leo, whose testimony was the only truth that mattered in this twisted house.

"You tried to run her over," Jake said, his voice dropping to a terrifying, calm register. "In front of our son.

I thought you were kind and mature. But, I was wrong. He spat, You are a jealous scheming woman who bullies others.

I didn't do it! I wanted to scream.

I never meant to fight her for you or Leo? She wants to have Leo, she can have him.

She wants you? She can have you as well. Im done with you, Jake.

But, he lunged before I could scream, his hand was around my throat, pinning me against the drivers side door. He reached into the open window, clicked the locks, and shoved me into the drivers seat.

"Jake, what are you doing?" I gasped, clawing at his hands.

"You like cars, Stacy? You like using them as weapons?" He leaned in, his face inches from mine. "Lets see how you handle one without a safety net."

He didn't hit me. Instead, he reached under the steering column with a pair of heavy-duty shears hed grabbed from the garage. With two swift, practiced snips, he severed the brake lines. I heard the hiss of fluid leaking onto the driveway like a dying breath.

Blood drained throughout my body. I had never rode a car in the past two years while I was away, and still didn't know how to drive properly.

Driving a car without break was like asking me to do suicide.

But, Jakes dark and distant gaze were crystal clear that he was not joking.

"The estate road is a three-mile decline, Stacy," Jake said, his voice devoid of any humanity. He reached over me, shoved the car into gear, and jammed a heavy wooden blocka leftover from Leos toy setonto the accelerator.

"Jake, no! Stop!"

You should have thought twice before even thinking of hurting Linda! He spat, his voice cold.

The engine roared, the tires screaming as they struggled for purchase on the gravel before the car lurched forward.

I looked in the rearview mirror one last time. Jake had his arm around Linda, and Leo was waving goodbye.

***

When I opened my eyes, the harsh fluorescent lights of the hospital room blinded me. I groaned, my throat feeling like Id swallowed crushed glass.

"Stacy? You're awake."

A familiar voice sounded. It wasn't the voice of the man who had severed my brake lines and watched me careen toward a potential grave. It was soft, almost melodic.

I turned my head slowly. Jake was sitting in a chair pulled close to the bed. His usual sharp suit was wrinkled, and there were dark circles under his eyes.

When he saw me looking at him, he reached out, his fingers brushing a stray hair from my forehead with a gentleness that made my heart stutter in confusion.

"The doctors said you had a severe concussion and a few cracked ribs," he whispered, his hand lingering on my cheek. "You're lucky the car hit the embankment and didn't go over the cliff side."

I stared at him, my mind reeling. Where was the monster from the driveway? This man looked... devastated. He squeezed my hand, his palm warm against my cold skin.

For a fleeting second, I wondered if the crash had been a fever dream. Maybe he hadn't done it. Maybe he had saved me.

Then he said, You have learnt your lesson. From now on, do not try to hurt Linda.

My nails dug deeper in the sheets.

I didn't do it!

The words remained stuck to my throat, never coming out. I knew he wouldn't believe me.

The next two days, he stayed by my side. And when I was discharged, he personally helped me into the car, placing a pillow behind my back. He didn't speak of the accident, only of my recovery.

"Were going to the family dinner tonight," he said as we pulled up to the manor. "Everyone is waiting. I told them you had a minor 'mishap' with the car. Its best we move past it."

I felt a chill. Mishap. Is that what we were calling an attempted execution? Yet, as he walked me into the dining room, his arm remained firmly and protectively around my waist.

I leaned into him, a small, treacherous part of me hoping that the near-death experience had finally opened his eyes to my innocence.

The long mahogany table was set for a feast. Leo was there, playing with a silver spoon, and Linda sat to his right, looking radiant in a cream-colored silk dressthe picture of a victim who had narrowly escaped a villain.

The dinner was quiet, the clinking of silverware the only sound. As the dessert plates were finally cleared, Jake cleared his throat. The room went silent. He turned to me, his hand covering mine on the table.

"Stacy," he said, his voice dropping to that same soft, gentle register hed used in the hospital. "I'm glad you're back. Im glad youre safe."

I felt a tear prick my eye. "Jake, I"

"But for us to truly move forward as a family," he continued, his thumb tracing circles on the back of my hand, "there needs to be closure. We can't have this darkness between us."

He looked toward Linda, who cast her eyes down with a practiced, trembling lip.

"Stacy," Jake whispered, leaning in close so only I could hear the terrifyingly calm edge beneath his words. "Apologize to Linda. Tell her youre sorry for trying to kill her. Do it now, and we can go back to how things were."

I looked at Linda. She sat there, the light catching the faux-innocence in her eyes, waiting for her victory. Then I looked at Jake.

"No."

The word was small, but it cut through the room like a blade. Jakes thumb stopped its gentle circling on my hand. His gaze darkened, the soft husband mask beginning to crack.

"Stacy," he warned, his voice dropping a threat. "Don't ruin this. Just say the words."

"I won't apologize for something I didn't do," I said, my voice gaining strength even as my heart hammered against my cracked ribs.

"You tried to kill me, Jake. You sabotaged my car and watched me drive toward a cliff. And you want me to apologize to the woman who orchestrated this entire lie?

Jake didn't argue. He didn't shout. Instead, his hand moved with lightning speed. Before I could flinch, his fingers closed around the thin gold chain at my throatthe only thing I had left of my mother.

"This necklace," he hissed, his face inches from mine. "You told me once it was the only piece of her you still had. That youd rather die than lose it."

"Jake, stop!" I gasped, reaching up to grab his wrist.

He threw the chain towards Linda. "Apologize, Stacy. Or Ill wrap it around Lindas legs like an anklet. Ill turn your mothers legacy into Lindas dirt."

Though it's an old fashioned cheap accessory, Linda began, hiding a smirk behind her wine glass. It will look better around my legs than your neck,

My pride was screaming, but the thought of my mothers last memento being destroyed by her filthy legs was too much.

I would be gone the next day. I thought. The humiliation I can bear it one more day for the sake of my dead mother.

"I'm... I'm sorry," I choked out, the words tasting like ash. "Im sorry, Linda. I... I shouldn't have tried to hurt you."

The tension in Jakes eyes relaxed for a fraction of a second. A triumphant glint appeared in his eyes. "There. Was that so hard?"

He then instructed Kinda to give the chain back. But, as she went to release the chain, her fingers gave one final, cruel jerk.

Snap.

The gold links shattered. The small locket hit the hardwood floor with a hollow thud, skidding toward the corner of the room. I stared at the empty space on my chest, then at the broken chain still clutched in her hand.

"Oops," Linda said, her voice devoid of any actual regret. "My hand slipped."

Something inside me snapped along with that gold. The fear that had kept me paralyzed for years evaporated, replaced by a searing, white-hot rage. I stood up, knocking my chair backward.

"You're pathetic, Linda," I spat, raising my hands to slap her. But, they were held by a strong force.

Enough, Stacy! He said, It was a mistake. Linda didn't mean to break it.

"You bastard! I snapped back. You destroyed your wifes only treasure for a woman who has been playing you like a fiddle. You think she loves you? She loves your bank account and the power you give her. Shes been whispering poison in your ear while she sleeps in your bed, and you're too blinded by her act to see shes nothing but a home-wrecking parasite!"

Lindas eyes welled up instantly. "Jake... how can she say such things? I... I've only ever wanted this family to be whole! This is defamation! She's slandering my character in front of Leo!" She buried her face in her hands, her shoulders shaking with practiced sobs.

Im Taylors widow. What will people talk about me if words like these go out? And the servantsThey have listened to everything.

"Enough!" Jake roared. The rage was back, more violent than in the driveway. He grabbed my arm, his grip bruising. "You like humiliating another woman? You want to assassinate Lindas character?"

He turned to one of the footmen standing near the sideboarda man who had always looked at me with a discomforting leer.

"If you can't act like a lady at this table, you don't deserve the clothes of a wife," Jake growled.

Before I could process his words, he reached for the zipper of my dress. With a violent tug, the fabric tore. I scrambled to hold the silk against my chest, my face burning with a shame so deep I felt sick.

"Marcus," Jake called out to the servant, his voice cold and lethal.

He shoved me toward the man. I stumbled, my bare shoulders hitting the servants rough uniform. The mans arms instinctively went around me to steady me, his touch lingering far too long on my skin.

"Shes yours for the night," Jake said, turning back to the table to comfort a 'crying' Linda.

"Take her to the quarters. Maybe a night among the house helps will teach her how it feels to be humiliated.

The servants quarters were a labyrinth of cold concrete and the smell of stale tobacco. Marcus didn't lead me, he dragged me, his grip tightening on my upper arm as he kicked open the door to a small servant quarter.

Inside, three other mendrivers and groundskeepers were already waiting.

"Master said shes ours for the night," Marcus announced, a jagged grin splitting his face. He shoved me into the center of the room. I stumbled, the torn remnants of my silk dress slipping further. I clutched the fabric to my chest, my heart hammering against my ribs so hard it was agony.

"Please," I whispered, my voice cracking.

"Jake! Leo!" I screamed for help, Somebody help me!

The heavy oak door at the end of the hallway creaked open. For a heartbeat, hope flared in my chest. Leo. My son stood there, his small face pale in the dim light.

"Leo! Tell Dad! Please, get me out of here!"

The boy looked at me, his expression strangely blank, as if he were reciting a lesson. "Daddy says Mommy is being bad," he said, his voice high and thin. "He says after tonight, Mommy will be obedient. He told me to go to bed and not look back."

He turned around and walked away, the click of his small shoes on the tile sounding like a death knell.

Just then Marcus grabbed the hem of my dress, his eyes dark with intent. "No more shouting, Stacy. No one is coming."

In a blur of desperation, I scanned the room. Therea small, high window used for ventilation. It was narrow, barely enough for a woman in my frame.

I didn't think so. I grabbed a heavy glass ashtray from the table and smashed it against Marcuss temple. As he groaned and slumped back, I scrambled onto a plastic chair and hauled myself up to the ledge.

"Shes getting away! Grab her!"

I felt a hand snatch at my ankle, fingernails raking across my skin. I kicked out with everything I had, hearing a satisfying grunt of pain.

I didn't look down at the thirty-foot drop.

I threw myself out into the night.

My ribs cracked. Legs broken, and red crimson sipping out my body from almost everywhere.

But, that's the price I was willing to pay- to save my pride. That's all I had left with.

Three miles away from Vance's estate, I dragged myself onto the sand of a public beach, shivering and bloodied. I looked back at the silhouette of the mansion on the cliffa house of monsters.

Jake would find the scrap of silk on the window tomorrow. He would find the broken locket in the dining room. He would tell the world his unstable wife took her own life in a fit of jealous grief.

Let him.

I reached into the hidden inner pocket of the slip I wore beneath the dressthe one thing I had prepared before the dinner. My burner phone and a pre-paid credit card.

Then I dialed a number.

It's me, I whispered into the receiver, watching the sunrise bleed across the horizon. I have arrived at the location.

Look upward, Stacy. A deep male voice sounded from the other end and when I looked up, I found a chopper roaming just above my head.

As it landed, a man dressed in a well-tailored navy blue suit emerged out.

He was Taylor Vance. Jakes elder brother whom the world thought was dead, except me.

He watched me bleeding and I saw his knuckles tightening. He looked at the man standing behind him.

"Stacy is dead. He said, his voice dangerously calm, Tell the lawyer to activate the contingency. I want every asset tied to the name 'Jake' frozen by noon."

Then he walked up to me. He took off his coat and wrapped it around me before he lifted me in his arms, saying softly, You can't ruin something you promised to give me,

Your body is only mine to ruin. Remember that. He said before he placed me inside the chopper and it drove us far away from Jakes reach, where I was finally free.