Chapter 1 - The Monster in the Hallway
The sharp, rhythmic click-clack of stilettos echoed down the hallway, slicing through the heavy silence of the nursery. My heart hammered against my ribs, a cold sweat breaking out across my neck. I looked from Sarah’s bloodied wrists to the doorway just as Vivienne stepped into the frame.
She was still holding her glass of Merlot, her blonde hair flawlessly styled, her designer dress impeccable. For a fraction of a second, her eyes widened in surprise at the sight of me standing there, my laptop bag discarded on the floor. But the shock vanished instantly, replaced by a chilling, empty smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"David, darling," she purred, taking a slow sip of her wine. "You’re home early. I told you I had everything under control."
"Under control?" my voice was a deadly, shaking whisper. "Vivienne, what the hell is this? What have you done to her?"
Vivienne rolled her eyes, stepping further into the room as if she were inspecting a slightly misaligned painting rather than a tortured human being. "Oh, please don't be dramatic, David. The help was being hysterical. She wanted to abandon our children to run off to the hospital for her sick brat. I simply made sure she honored her contract. She’s fine."
I felt my vision go red. The sheer detachment in her voice was monstrous. I didn't say another word to my wife. I lunged toward the bed, pulling a pocketknife from my jacket. Sarah flinched as I approached, her tear-streaked face completely devoid of hope.
"Hold still, Sarah. I’ve got you," I whispered.
I carefully slid the blade under the shredded silk bindings, severing the tight knots. As the fabric snapped, Sarah let out a gut-wrenching sob, her arms dropping heavily to her sides. Her wrists were raw, bruised black and purple. Next, I unbuckled the heavy-duty carrier, gently lifting my sleeping twins—Liam and Emma—and placing them in their cribs.
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"David, stop this at once!" Vivienne snapped, her aristocratic facade cracking. "You are undermining my authority in my own house!"
I spun around, stepping into her personal space until she was forced to back up against the doorframe. "You don't have authority here anymore. Get out of my way."
