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…

get to leave the basement.”

My hand flew to my mouth. Leonor. Doña Leonor. Ricardo’s mother. The matriarch of the Del Monte family wasn’t in Europe. She was rotting in the cellars of her own home, imprisoned by her daughter-in-law.

I heard Verónica’s footsteps turning back toward the stairs. Panic surged through me. I scrambled backward, diving into continue reading …