"Daddy! Grandma! Selina’s spying!", Landon screamed as I dragged him towards the kitchen.

Panic surged up my throat. and without thinking, I put my hand over Landon's mouth, trying to silence him.

His small fists pounded against me, but I dragged him anyway, desperate to escape the damning hallway.

But I was too late. Thundering footsteps echoed down the hall.

Chris and Mrs. Helena burst out of the study, faces hard and wild in the dim light.

"Selina?" Chris barked, with an angry voice. "What the hell are you doing?"

I straightened, forcing my breathing to slow, plastering a false concerned smile across my face.

"Landon," I said sweetly, squeezing the boy’s shoulder, "was trying to sneak some ice cream from the fridge. I caught him just in time."

But Landon twisted out of my grasp, face red and gleeful with cruelty.

"No, she's lying!" he screamed. "She was sneaking around! She was listening to you!"

The hallway froze solid.

My stomach twisted.

The air felt sharp enough to slice skin.

Mrs. Helena's lips curled into a smile so tight it barely looked human.

"Is that true, darling?" she cooed. "Were you... listening?"

Each word dripped with manufactured sweetness, sharpening the noose I felt around my neck.

Chris crossed his arms, stepping closer.

"What were you doing outside the study at three in the damn morning?"

I widened my eyes, feigning confusion. Letting my voice wobble just enough.

"I... I was just getting some water. I got confused. I'm—I'm tired lately."

Mrs. Helena exchanged a knowing glance with Chris.

"Tired... forgetful..." she said lightly, but her eyes glittered like knives. "You really haven't been yourself these days, have you, Selina?"

My fists clenched at my sides.

Play the fool. Let them think you’re weak.

Chris softened his voice — the damn manipulator.

"Maybe after the anniversary dinner, we should finally have that little... checkup arranged."

"Just to be sure you're healthy, sweetheart."

My breath hitched.

Then — it snapped.

Landon lunged at me again, tugging viciously at the delicate silver chain around my neck — the only thing I still wore that belonged to my mother.

There was a metallic snick!

The chain broke, and the small locket tumbled to the cold marble floor with a hollow clink-clink.

"Serves you right. Crazy people don't deserve pretty things", Landon said, his face glee with mischief.

I stood frozen as I stared at him. The boy I had taken care of had turned into a monster. He used to be a sweet boy before but his Grandma had succeeded in turning his heart against me.

Mrs Helena gasped, pressing a hand to her mouth in theatrical horror.

"Landon, darling! That's not how we treat people," she said. But her eyes gleamed with satisfaction.

Behind her, Chris smirked like a man watching a puppet dance on strings.

I knelt slowly, fingers trembling as I picked up the broken pendant.

The locket lay heavy and cold in my palm.

I fought back the tears as I rose, lifting my gaze to meet theirs.

"You're right," I whispered, voice soft as silk. "I’m not myself anymore."

Mrs Helena gave a satisfied hum and Chris squeezed my shoulder patronizingly. I spent the whole night crying and thinking of my next move.

The next morning, I woke up very early to go buy a recorder. I needed evidence. Chris wasn't just an ordinary man, he was rich and powerful. I needed evidence to take him down.

By the time I got home, the house was bustling with activities. The caterers and decorators were already doing their thing. Madison was in charge of it all.

"Selina darling, where have you been?. Happy early anniversary! I thought I'd come extra early to help get everything ready. I just couldn’t sleep, thinking about how special today will be for you. I went to your room to check up on you but you weren't there", Madison rushed towards me in a high pitched sugary voice, beaming with smiles.

"Such a bitch!. As if I didn't hear her plotting against me, last night. As if she didn't sleep over", I thought to myself.

"You are so thoughtful, Madison. I went for an early morning walk and lost my way at some point. You know how forgetful I have been lately ", I replied, smiling back.

"Oh sorry, I'm sure you will feel better when you take your vitamins", she said as she passed those damn pills they swapped my vitamins with.

"Sure", I replied putting a pill in my mouth but this time, I didn't swallow.

"Go and get some rest. Landon is still sleeping. Mrs. Helena and Chris went to get the cake", Madison said sweetly as she watched me take the pill.

Perfect!, I thought to myself. I needed to plant that recorder and take the first step towards escaping.

The heavy door of the study stood slightly open. My heart pounded as I slipped inside like a shadow.

From the pocket of my jeans, I pulled a tiny video recording device. I had already connected it to my phone, the only thing I needed was to plant it somewhere hidden.

My hands moved swiftly as I tucked it deep behind a row of dusty encyclopedias but not too deep to block it's camera.

I clicked it on.

A green light blinked once, then disappeared.

My gaze swept the study.

Where would they keep the Lawyer’s card?

There!, I gasped as I sighted the crystal bowl of miscellaneous papers and receipts that sat on the sideboard.

I searched through them. There it was.

A plain business card, almost hidden between two old invitations. I took a picture of the front and back and put it back carefully.

Then my eyes drifted to the Safe. Chris's safe that I had watched him open a thousand times pretending not to notice the password.

Inside, I found documents; forged psychiatric evaluations, legal papers declaring me “mentally unfit”, hospital admittance forms, already signed.

They planned to ship me off like some unwanted furniture!, My chest ached from heartbreak as I stared at the papers in horror.

I slipped a few papers into my hoodie. These were enough to blow their scheme wide open. Then I closed the safe like nothing ever happened.

I returned to my room just as Chris and Mrs. Helena returned.

The evening was alive with golden candlelight, laughter, and expensive wine.

Guests filled the grand dining room, family friends, associates, neighbors from their gated community.

I moved among them like a hostess, my pale satin dress clinging to my body, with a fake smile plastered on my face.

Chris made his rounds, arm draped loosely around my waist.

Mrs Helena floated nearby, beaming like a proud matriarch.

Madison lingered close too — wearing a tasteful, sickly-sweet smile.

As we were all seated, having dinner, I tried to cut my chicken and Landon reached across the table and deliberately knocked over a full glass of red wine into my lap.

Gasps broke out.

I froze, crimson liquid soaking through the delicate silk of my dress. The dress Susan had gifted me.

Chris jumped up, dabbing my cloth awkwardly with a napkin, murmuring fake apologies, acting like he's a loving husband.

"Oh, darling. Are you okay?"

Poor thing, she's always been... so sensitive." Mrs. Helena added, just loud enough for the nearest guests to hear.

Landon piped up, voice sweet but laced with mischief; "Maybe Mommy needs a bib! She's always spilling things or forgetting stuff!"

The table erupted in uncomfortable laughter.

My fingers curled around my fork until my knuckles turned white but my smile never slipped.

"It’s alright, sweetheart," I said softly, wiping myself off.

"Mistakes happen, don't they? Even when people think they're being clever."

My eyes flickered briefly, coldly, dangerously and only Madison caught it, and she stiffened.

"Everyone, if I could just have a moment, I want to propose a toast to my beautiful wife", Chris said loudly, smiling.

"Selina has been… patient. Even when she forgets what day it is".

I watched as laughter rippled across the room.

Mrs. Helena leaned in from her seat beside me, smiling sweetly for the guests.

"Darling, do you remember when you almost missed this dinner because you thought it was Wednesday today?"

Guests continued exchanging amused glances.

I knew whispers about my supposed “mental struggles” were already floating just beneath the surface.

Across from me, Madison rubbed my hands sweetly.

"Ignore them, babe. They're just teasing."

But her eyes gleamed with satisfaction, hidden under mascara and lies. I nodded faintly, numb inside.

Towards the end of the dinner. I moved through the bustling house, smiling, thanking guests, pretending to be the beloved wife at my own anniversary dinner.

Inside, my mind was panicking.

Suddenly my phone buzzed.

I pulled it out casually, pretending to check a harmless text, my heart pounding.

It was the video recorder app.

Playing.

Soft at first. A scrape of movement. A wet messy sound. I tilted the phone closer to my ear as I edged into a quiet hallway.

Then the voices hit me like knives:

Madison giggling breathlessly

"God, you taste so good when you're evil."

Chris half moaning,

"Tomorrow morning, it'll be over. Doctor's coming at eight. We'll tell him she started hallucinating tonight. Easy as pie."

Madison was laughing , "She won’t even remember half of it baby."

"I drugged her tonight."

"That glass I handed to her?, I had it laced with Scopolamine. She's gonna be drooling like a lunatic soon. In a few hours, she will be totally acting out of character, confused and disoriented".

"By morning, they'll lock her away for good, before she even realizes".

My stomach dropped to my knees.

My fingers tightened painfully on the phone. I had used that glass and gulped down all the wine I poured into it without thinking.

I started breathing heavily and fast. My fingers were shaking in fear. I needed to get out of here. Not later in the night but right now!.

As I made my way out of the hallway, I bumped into Mrs. Helena.

"I have been looking for you, Selina. The last guests are about to leave, come say goodbye", she said gazing at me. But there was no concern in that gaze. No warmth. Just... calculation.

I forced a smile, one that cracked at the edges. “ I can't. I think I need to lie down,” I said faintly, my voice barely above a whisper. “I’m feeling… dizzy.”

Immediately, her expression turned into mock concern. “Of course, darling. Let me take you to your room.”

As we ascended the stairs in silence, my stomach twisted. My heart pounded. I could feel the trap tightening around me like invisible hands.

Mrs. Helena opened the bedroom door. “Get some rest,” she murmured, and just as I stepped inside, the door slammed shut behind me. Click. It was an unmistakable sound of a key turning in a lock.

No. No no no… I spun around, rattled the doorknob. “Mrs. Helena?” I called, panic rising in my throat. No answer. I heard her footsteps retreating down the stairs.

That wicked witch really wanted me locked away no matter what.

I hurriedly looked for the documents I had hidden in my closet. I grabbed them and put them into a small backpack together with my phone.

Without thinking I ran to the window and yanked the curtains aside. I was two stories up. I shoved the window open and climbed out into the night, the cool air hitting me like a slap.

Halfway down, the rope ladder snapped. I hit the ground hard, the shock of it knocking the wind from my lungs. Pain screamed through my arm–bruised, maybe broken but I didn't care. I pushed myself up, blood trailing down my elbow.

I jumped the small wooden fence and landed into the neighbors yard. Thankfully their gate was open and i ran into the street.

At this point, I was already feeling drowsy and my vision was blurred. My heart was racing and I was already hallucinating. Before I knew what was happening, a pair of headlights blinded me like a second sun.

SCREEECH. The impact threw me like a ragdoll and everything went dark.

When I woke up, I stirred to the soft rustle of curtains and the scent of something warm–lavender and citrus. My body ached, my muscles were stiff and sore, but the sheets beneath me were impossibly soft.

Where was I?, I wondered.

My eyes fluttered open. The room was too perfect to be familiar. Cream walls, tall windows veiled in silk, furniture that whispered old money and absolute control. Even the light felt peaceful, as if it was filtered through gold.

Panic flared in my chest. I sat up with a gasp but pain sliced through my ribs like a blade.

“Don’t,” a voice said gently.

I turned sharply and found a woman in a tailored cream coat standing at my bedside, clipboard in hand.

“You fractured a rib and bruised half your body,” the woman said calmly. “You are lucky you weren’t killed.”

I blinked, my throat was dry. “Where am i?”, I asked.

“You’re safe. Private residence. You’ve been unconscious since last night.”

The doctor reached for a small tablet on the side table.

“Vitals are stable. You should try eating soon,” she added. “He’ll want to speak with you.”

“He?”

But the doctor didn’t answer. She checked my pupils with a tiny penlight, jotted something down, and gave a single nod.

“I’ll give you a moment.”

Moments later, a housekeeper entered. She said no words, just a polite smile and set down a silver tray with fresh orange juice, toast, eggs, and tea.

I stared at it. My stomach twisted. It looked safe. But I’d learned not to trust beautiful things.

Still, the smell was too much, I couldn't resist, so I took a small sip of juice and let it settle. The warmth was grounding. My mind swirled. Then it dawned on me.

I had escaped.

Chris. Madison. Mrs. Helena. The drugged wine.

I had escaped them all.

Before I could take another breath, the door creaked open and the finest man I had ever seen walked in.

Tall. Built like he owned the air around him. Dressed in a black wool coat over a grey open-collar shirt. His presence entered the room before he did. Slowly, deliberate, dangerous.

It was the man that hit me. My chest tightened. The doctor brushed past him silently as she left. He nodded at her once, then turned his full attention to me.

For a long second, he said nothing. He just looked at me. Grey eyes. Cold. Unreadable but there was warmth in his eyes.

“I'm sorry. I didn’t mean to hit you,” he said finally.

His voice was smoother than I had imagined, very deep and precise, like every word had weight. “You ran out into the road. Bloodied, dressed like a bride in flight.”

A flash of memory sent a jolt through me. I clutched the sheets tighter.

He walked closer, slow and measured.

“I’m Darian Thorne.”

On hearing the name, My breath caught.

That name.

Thorne.

Chris had raged about that name once. Drunk. He said he was a “monster in a suit,” said he would be finished if Thorne ever sniffed too close.

My heart was thudding as I looked at him. The man Chris fears like the devil himself.

But he didn’t look like a devil.

No. He looked like Peace. Like Power.

I should’ve been terrified. A few days ago, I would have been.

But now, after everything– after the betrayal, the whispers in the study…my fear twisted into something else.

The man Chris feared was standing in front of me. And suddenly, for the first time in what felt like years,

I didn’t feel small. I felt dangerous.

Darian watched me closely.

“My name is familiar, isn’t it?” he asked quietly.

I didn’t answer.

But something flickered in my eyes—just enough for him to know he was right.

"I didn't try to run a background check on you, even though you looked like you were running from something but I trust we would get to know each other when the time is right".

And with that, he turned and left the room.