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…

spare key Mateo had hidden under a flowerpot months ago. I slipped into the kitchen and crept silently toward the grand foyer, hiding behind a massive marble pillar.

Ricardo was marching toward the basement corridor, his face a mask of terrifying, quiet fury. Verónica was rushing down the main staircase, wrapping a silk robe around herself, alerted continue reading …