Haunted By The Wife He Lost

Stephen

d charismatic, ran it with an iron fist, shaping public opinion with a smile. I, their volatile heiress, was carving my own path, a burg

s with disgrace. My parents, proud and unyielding, couldn't bear the shame. The night they were taken away for questioning, they sent Hal and me a

s had faded, I was snatched. Fifteen days. Fifteen days of darkness, of fear, of uncertainty. I was held in a desolate c

ining armor, pulling me from the clutches of despair. He held me, whispering promises of safety, of forever. But the trauma

ss." I called it survival. My outbursts were frequent, my moods unpredictable. I was a raw nerve, constantly

c family, declaring he would rather die than betray me. He threatened to disown himself, to give up his inheritance, everything, if they touched a hair on my head. He swore, with tears in his eyes, that he would be my shield,

in my mouth. My shield had become my sword, turned against me. My protector had become

n my soul. I cried until there were no more tears, until my throat was raw and my head pounded. I passed out from exhaustion,

emotions after the kidnapping. It hardened into something cold, sharp, and resolute. I w

s wasn't me. Not anymore. I splashed cold water on my face, then slowly, meticulously, began to clean myself up. I straightened my clothes, combed through my ta

my only ally left. And he was a genius. A ghos

ued his ritualistic "punishments," nightly visits that stripped me of all dignity,

y hospital for "recovery." Jacob visited her daily, showering her with attention, playing the

array of flowers and sympathetic nurses. She looked up, startled, when I entered. He

It was a dangerous sound. "How are you feeling

r lips. She pointed to a note on her bedside table, a hurried

t. I almost forgot." I walked closer, my shadow falling over her bed. "You' re good a

ay, her lower

imagine." I bent down, my face inches from hers. "Tell me, Ema, do you really think I' m that ea

e her efforts, d

them out on her pristine white bedspread. Images of her, and Jacob. Kissin

pointed to a particularly incriminating photo, one of them embracing in the company elevator. "Looks rather... u

structed facade cracked, a network of t

lver letter opener from her bedside table. It was sharp, gleaming.

et me make this clear. Get out. Resign from the company. Disappear from Jacob' s life. Or I will make sure

error now. She started making soft, pleading noises, still pointing to h

over her again. "Jacob Finley doesn' t force anyone. He seduces. He charms

sound echoed in the quiet room. Her head snapped to th

"was for my child. The one you lied about losi

ars finally spill

to pack your bags and vanish. If I see your face again, if I hear your name, if you so much

making those pathetic, choked sounds. Her eyes were defia

voice. I pressed the call button for the nurse. When the young woman a

o be discharged immediately. Issue her a full medical discharge and have her escorted off t

e, silent cries behind me. I didn' t look back.