Chapter 1: The Door That Never Should Have Been Opened
Chapter 1: The Door That Never Should Have Been Opened
For several seconds, no one moved.
Victoria stared at Nathan.
Nathan stared at the three terrified children huddled together against the basement wall.
The youngest girl flinched when the riding crop hit the floor.
Not because it struck her.
Because she expected it to.
Nathan's voice was barely above a whisper.
"What... is this?"
Victoria recovered quickly.
"It's not what it looks like."
The oldest boy immediately shook his head.
"No..."
His voice trembled.
"It is."
Nathan slowly removed his suit jacket and draped it over Emma's shoulders.
Her tiny hands clutched it as if it were the safest thing she had ever touched.
He looked back at Victoria.
"Go upstairs."
She blinked.
"Nathan—"
May you like
"Now."
For the first time in their marriage, she obeyed without another word.
