The new maid heard weeping beneath the mansion. Opening the heavy basement door, she found the missing wife, starved and chained. As gasps filled the dark room, the wife grabbed her hand, whispering, “Run before he hears you, or he’ll make you my replacement.” Suddenly, footsteps echoed on the stairs…

own bloody hands. The madness broke, leaving only a hollow, pathetic reality. She began to weep, curling into a ball on the kitchen floor.

Ricardo didn’t look at her with anger. He looked at her with pure, cold pity. He pulled out his phone and dialed the police.

“It’s over, Verónica,” he said softly. “You’re going to a cage of your own making.”

Epilogue:continue reading …