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…

nearly dropping the heavy crystal goblet. Verónica stood in the doorway, wrapped in a blood-red silk robe, a cup of black coffee in her perfectly manicured hand. Her dark eyes swept over me, dissecting my fear.

“I… I didn’t sleep well, ma’am. The wind,” I stammered, hating the weakness in my own voice.

She took a slow sip of her coffee, never breaking continue reading …