Chapter 3

Luke's quiet warning chilled Zoe.

Elaine had always loved her more than anyone. Now Zoe had to watch her suffer while her own husband told her not to cause a scene.

Kate's uncle, Victor Mercer, was a spoiled rich brat who'd never done anything with his life. Countless women had died at his hands. Zoe had never imagined Richard would hand Elaine over to him.

When Luke stepped away to take a call, Zoe searched for Elaine.

Victor was dragging Elaine upstairs.

Zoe panicked and rushed after them—

"Where are you going, Ms. Zimmer?" Kate blocked her path, smiling with contempt. "I only mentioned that Luke should bring you. I didn't think he'd actually do it. You really don't know your place."

Zoe had heard it all for three years. She had no time for this.

"Move!"

She shoved past Kate and hurried upstairs. Desperate pleas came from behind the door.

She pushed open the door. Victor had Elaine pinned beneath him, her clothes rumpled and tears filling her vacant eyes.

"Let me go! Please, don't touch me!"

Zoe grabbed a vase by the door, smashed it over his head, and shoved him off Elaine.

"You bitch! You hit me!" Victor clutched his head, blood seeping between his fingers. His eyes darkened. "I could have you both killed without lifting a finger!"

Kate had followed her upstairs. Her face twisted with malice. "Ms. Zimmer, that's my uncle. What will Luke do when I tell him?

"Spend the night with him instead of your mom, and I'll forget this happened."

"Zoe, no!" Terror filled Elaine's eyes. "Don't agree to it!"

Victor slapped Elaine to the floor, then punched and kicked her.

"You tramp! Richard gave you to me. I could beat you to death, and he wouldn't say a damn word!"

Elaine coughed up blood and passed out.

"Mom!" Zoe grabbed a shard of the vase and pointed it at him.

Victor only leered, his gaze roaming over her body.

"Get your mom out today, and your dad will bring her right back tomorrow.

"She's too old for me anyway. Just lies there in bed without a sound. I like them young and pretty. Like you!"

Zoe gripped the shard until it cut her palm, slicking her hand with blood.

She glanced back at Elaine's frail, battered body. No one loved her more than her mom. As a kid, whenever her father got drunk and beat her, Elaine had shielded her with her own body.

How could she let her mom keep suffering?

Zoe slowly loosened her grip. The shard clinked against the floor.

"Let my mom go, and you can do whatever you want to me."

Victor stroked her face, then slapped her hard.

He grabbed her hand and slammed it onto the shards.

She screamed, blood spilling over her.

Her cries only excited him.

He grabbed her hair and ripped her clothes open, his gaze turning greedier at her pale skin.

"Luke Whitmore's wife is quite a catch!"

Zoe closed her eyes in despair. Just then, someone kicked the door open.