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…

The same eyes that were currently weeping in the dark.

“What are you doing?”

The voice cracked like a whip. I nearly fell off the chair. Verónica stood at the end of the gallery, her face contorted in an ugly, visceral rage. She marched toward me, her heels striking the marble like gunfire.

“I was just dusting, ma’am,” I stammered, stepping down quickly.continue reading …