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…

she hissed, lunging at me.

I swung the skillet. It connected solidly with her forearm, knocking the knife off course, but the blade still sliced a deep, burning gash across my shoulder. I cried out, stumbling backward.

Verónica recovered instantly, tackling me to the marble floor. We grappled, slipping on the shattered glass and my own blood. She was continue reading …