"Karen's sister-in-law really does think of everything. It's true—now's not the time to take Leo outside."

Ruby fixed her gaze on me. "Until your father-in-law's surgery is done, you two should just stay put at home."

"Besides, I haven't been in the mood to cook lately. You can pitch in more around the house—keep yourself busy instead of overthinking."

"I'm not in the mood to cook either." I kept my voice steady. "How about this—why don't we all go out together as a family? Everyone can help keep an eye on Leo. Nothing will happen."

I added pointedly, "I'll pay for it."

My sister-in-law's voice dripped with mockery. "Karen, do you really think no one can see through your little schemes?"

"You won't even buy yourself new clothes for the New Year, but suddenly you want to treat the whole family to an outing?"

"Who's going to believe that?"

"You just want to take Leo and run."

"You're that desperate to let Dad die? If Finn weren't so frail, I wouldn't have needed anyone to ask—I'd have volunteered him for the kidney donation myself."

She delivered this with such righteous conviction that Ruby's expression hardened.

Ruby's eyes bored into me. "Karen, is this any way to behave?"

"Leo carries the James bloodline. What's wrong with him helping his own grandfather?"

"How can you be so selfish?"

"Leigh, this is your fault. You've spoiled her rotten."

Slap.

Without warning, my husband's palm cracked across my face. "Why can't you just cooperate?"

"I'm the one not cooperating?"

I grabbed my bowl and hurled it to the floor, porcelain exploding across the tiles. "Who's been running herself ragged since your father got sick?"

"Who's handled every single thing in this household, big and small, for years?"

"Leigh, I get it—you don't dare say a word against your mother. Fine."

"But this?"

"Now they want to carve out your son's kidney. There are two grandsons in this family. We agreed to leave it to fate."

"And what do the rest of you do?"

"Is it because I'm an orphan? Because I have no family to back me up? Because the man standing beside me is useless?"

"And now you hit me and call me unreasonable?"

"Look at your brother's family—always bragging about their million-dollar deals. Have they ever shown an ounce of gratitude?"

I jabbed my finger at Leigh. "When this family had nothing, you dropped out of school so Jason James could get an education."

"When he wanted to start his business, you told me we'd scrimp and save to fund it."

"And now?"

"That ungrateful bastard lives in a mansion, drives a luxury car—has he ever once asked if you were dead or alive?"

"Has he paid back a single cent of what we gave him?"

The rage boiled over. I turned on Ruby. "And you—I've swallowed your favoritism on everything else."

"But not this. When there's money, you hand it to Jason."

"Why is it that whenever there's trouble, his family gets to hide like cowards?"

"When I gave birth, you couldn't be bothered to help. The second his wife got pregnant, you couldn't wait to move in with them. And now you want to drain my son's blood? Over my dead body."

"Leigh, you're right—I don't know my place. If I did, I never would have married into this godforsaken village."

"Let me make this perfectly clear: I want a divorce."

"Leo stays with me. None of you will ever lay a finger on him again."

I stormed toward the door. I had to get to my son first.

Ruby's face went cold. "Look at the wife you picked. I told you—no education, nothing but a shrew."

My sister-in-law's voice pitched with alarm. "Mom, forget that—she's trying to run!"

"What are you standing there for?" Ruby shoved Leigh forward.

"Mom, when have I ever let you down?" Leigh watched my retreating back with an unsettling calm. "I hid Leo hours ago. She won't find him."

"Besides—" His lips curled. "The front gate's already locked. She's not going anywhere."

"Leigh, be careful—she might call the cops." His sister-in-law's voice cut through the chaos.

Leigh smacked his forehead. "Right. Almost forgot about that."

He started toward me.

I'd heard every word. His voice had been loud enough.

Leigh James. My husband. Leo's father. And he'd planned this from the start—all to keep me from running with our son.

I watched him coming and grabbed my phone, hurling it at his face with everything I had.

It caught him across the cheek, splitting the skin. Blood welled up instantly.

He froze. "Are you insane?"

I didn't answer. I was already running for the kitchen.

Yes. Maybe I was insane.

But touch my son? Then none of us walk away from this.

It was the only option I had left.

"Seriously, Leigh? You're a man and you let a woman hit you?" His sister-in-law's mocking voice dripped with contempt.

His eyes went red. He charged.

I didn't even reach the knife drawer before his foot connected with my back, sending me sprawling. Then the blows came—fists, kicks, an endless rain of violence.

He grabbed my head and slammed it against the floor. Once. Twice. Again.

Pain everywhere. I tried to fight back, but the difference in strength made it pointless.

Soon I could only lie there, every breath agony, every twitch sending fresh waves of pain through my body.

"Selfish little orphan." Ruby stood in the doorway, watching like it was entertainment. "If your parents were alive, they'd be the first ones beating you."

"Your father-in-law is the one who's sick. You should be grateful your son can help. Instead you throw a tantrum."

"This is what happens when Leigh doesn't discipline you enough."

Her words earned me several more kicks. I couldn't fight back. I couldn't even dodge.

"Leigh... Leo is your son."

"Oh, now you remember he's my son?" He loomed over me, not a shred of sympathy in his eyes. Only ice. "He's my son. That means when I tell him to do something, he does it."

"You don't get a say."

"Alright, that's enough." Ruby flicked sunflower seed shells onto my body. "She's still your wife. Break her too badly and you'll have to find a new one."

"Karen, dear. Know your place. No parents, no family—Leigh's the one keeping you fed. What he says, you do."

"Can't figure that out? Then you deserve every hit."

"You want to stay married? Then behave."

"You want a divorce? Wait until after the surgery. You're welcome to leave with your kidney-missing waste of a son. No one will stop you."

I looked at Leigh, desperate, searching for something—anything.

Nothing.

He actually believed he was supporting me. After Leo was born, I'd asked Ruby to help with childcare. She refused. I suggested hiring a nanny. Leigh insisted on breastfeeding, insisted only a mother could raise a child properly, said he didn't trust anyone else.

I had no degree—but neither did he.

Back then, I made three times his salary. I gave up my career for our son.

Now suddenly he was supporting me.

And when his mother called Leo a "kidney-missing waste"? He hadn't even flinched.

I tore my gaze from his face and looked at the others. Every single one stared back with the same cold indifference.

Despair closed around me like a fist.

Then it got worse.

To keep me from escaping, they tied me up and threw me into the cellar.

Dark. Cold. Hopeless.

Slowly, my eyes adjusted. I fixed my stare on the entrance, watching, waiting.

When I heard soft footsteps above, my heart seized.

Who?

Rescue?

I'd managed to send a text before they caught me. Smashing the phone had been deliberate—I couldn't let them find out.

"Karen? Are you in there? I'm here to save you."

Thaddeus Dickerson's voice echoed down, followed by footsteps descending into the cellar. A flashlight beam cut through the darkness.

When I saw his face, tears spilled down my cheeks before I could stop them.

Thaddeus. He came to save me.

He strode toward me—but didn't tear the tape from my mouth.

Instead, he crouched down, studying me with an expression I couldn't read. "Regretting not marrying me all those years ago?"

Thaddeus was old money. He'd pursued me back when Leigh and I were dating. Marrying him would have meant a life of luxury, but I'd known we weren't a match. I'd turned him down clearly, without room for misunderstanding.

But he'd said something then: If you ever need help, no matter what, come to me.

That's why I'd sent him the distress message.

When I first saw him, relief had flooded through me. But his question made my stomach drop.

His tone was mocking. Like he was here to watch a show.

Maybe my rejection still stung after all these years. But he was here. If he would just save me, that's all that mattered.

I tried to speak, gesturing for him to remove the tape.

"Answer me first. Do you regret not marrying me?" He tilted his head. "Nod or shake. Simple enough."

Tears streamed down my face. He just watched, waiting.

The truth? Thaddeus had never been my type.

But this wasn't the time for pride. He could mock me, humiliate me, call me every name in the book later. Right now, I just needed to save my son.

I nodded.

"Funny how people only show their true faces when they need something." He leaned closer. "I'm here. But if you want me to save you, you'll have to give me something first."

His eyes traveled down my body, slow and deliberate. "You know, you're still as stunning as you were back then. Agree to spend one night with me, and I'll get you out of here. Right now."

What?

I stared at him, disbelief crashing through me. I hadn't rejected him because he was a bad person—I'd always thought he was decent. That's why I'd reached out to him.

And now he wanted to take advantage of my desperation.

Thaddeus leaned in, his presence suffocating. "Yes or no?"

I had no way out. If I couldn't escape this cellar, my son would lose a kidney.

I closed my eyes. Nodded.

A tear slid down my cheek.

Then Thaddeus pulled out his phone. On the screen—a video call. With Leigh.

"Hey, bro. Your wife failed the test. She agreed to sleep with me."

My world collapsed.