Chapter three

Chapter Three 

Eileen knew she wouldn’t be welcomed with open arms, but she hadn’t expected Josh—her own son—to be so cold, so cruel. The sting of his rejection burned more than anything Josè had ever done to her. Still, it was the man in the shadows she feared the most.

Josè circled her like a predator, glass of wine in hand, his eyes filled with cruel amusement. She stood frozen, her heart pounding so loudly she could hear it in her ears. It had been years since she’d stood this close to him, yet her body remembered—every bruise, every insult, every sickening touch. Her hands trembled, her palms slick with sweat.

Without warning, he grabbed her by the hair and crushed his mouth against hers,kissing and biting her lip hard enough to draw blood.

“You thought you could run from me?” he whispered, his breath reeking of wine and cigarettes “You can’t.”

Hot tears slid down Eileen’s cheeks. “What do you want from me?”

Josè’s lips curled into a twisted smile. He ran his tongue slowly up her face like she was nothing but a toy. “I want you,” he murmured. You are mine.

But you don’t love me. And I don’t love you,” she said, voice shaking. Why won’t you just let me go?” Why wouldn't you free me?

Let you go?” he echoed, as if the thought amused him. “I told you before—whatever is mine, I don’t lend out and I don’t give away. You are mine, Eileen. And I will do with you as I please.

He stepped back. You should be punished for what you did eight years ago. But today…” he smirked, “I’ll be merciful. Go. Shower. Wait for me in the room.”

---

Eileen sat hunched in the bathroom, knees tucked into her chest, the water running but long forgotten. Her reflection in the mirror was a stranger—haunted eyes, trembling lips. She hated herself for what she was about to endure. But she had no choice. This was her punishment, her prison. And worse—this was the price of her silence, her sacrifice to keep Henry and Kate safe.

The lives of everyone she loved back in Canada depends on her. She needs to dread it carefully. Any mistake she made would claim lives.

She heard footsteps on the stairs. Her stomach twisted into knots. Her heart was pounding as the steps came closer.

He barged into the room, as if the walls meant nothing. Eileen barely had time to move before he yanked her to her knees by the hair.

“Suck my dick,” he growled.

She tried to resist. “No—”

You don’t want to?” he said coolly, his grin venomous. “I can still call my people in Canada. Finish off your little family. Trust me, I'd make you watch as I make them suffer.

Eileen went still. Every nerve in her body screamed, but her mind only repeated one thing: Henry must be safe.

Her hands trembled as she undid his belt. She did what he asked—silently, mechanically, choking back the bile and rage.

“That's my girl,” Josè said as he finished, panting above her. You are mine.

She said nothing. Her mind was a thousand miles away, holding the memory of Steve’s gentle hands, Kate’s laughter, Henry’s little smile. She had left them in pain, but she did it to protect them. Josè couldn't know how much they meant to her. He’d use them as weapons.

---

Later, she watched Josh from the bedroom window, kicking a ball across the courtyard. He was growing so fast. Nine, but already hardened, his innocence poisoned. She ached to run to him, to tell him the truth—but Josè had already turned him against her.

“Ma’am?” a voice called softly from the door. One of the maids. “What would you like for lunch?”

“Anything is fine,” Eileen replied dully.

It didn’t matter. No matter how well they treated her, this house would never be home. Not before, not now. Her only home had been with Steve. She wondered how he'd react after learning of her secrets. He'd definitely hate her for keeping him in the dark and putting his life at risk. She prayed he pulled through even if he would hate her all his life. She thought about how Henry would grow up without a mother, just like Josh did. 

But she had a plan.

Josè would die. She would take her son and burn this place to the ground if she had to. But to do that, she had to pretend. She had to smile. She had to pretend she never loved Steve, never cared about Kate or Henry. She had to become a slave for Josè. She had to bury her grief until she was ready.

Even a flicker of emotion, and Josè would use it against her.

She stayed locked in the room, watched, always watched. No phone calls. No tears. Just silence and patience. Killing Josè wouldn’t be easy—he was always surrounded by thugs, cameras were everywhere, and his paranoia was unmatched. But Eileen had survived this hell once. She would again.

---

The next morning, Josè took her shopping. Lavish boutiques, designer clothes, expensive bags. He bought her a new phone and laptop—not as gifts, but as shackles. He didn’t spend to show love. He spent to show ownership.

That was how the Santiago family worked: give with one hand, take everything with the other.

It was the same way they had caged her father years back.

When Eileen was twelve, her mother’s kidneys began to fail. They needed a transplant—fast—but her father had no money left. Desperate, he went to his boss: Mr. Santiago. And Mr. Santiago offered help… for a price. He demanded Eileen’s hand in marriage to his son once she came of age. And her father agreed.

Her mother recovered, but when she learned what had been done, she broke. She tried to flee with Eileen, but Mr. Santiago threatened her life. She died from the stress. Eileen never forgave her father—or the Santiagos.

That was how the Santiago family worked. Power, money, corruption. They had the governor in their pocket. Police, judges—everyone danced to their tune.

---

“Ma’am!” a familiar voice called from downstairs.

Eileen turned—and her heart lifted.

“Mrs. Maya!” she cried, running into the arms of the older woman.

The maid embraced her tightly, then pulled back with a stern look. “For the record, I’m not happy to see you.”

Eileen laughed through tears. “I missed you.”

“I missed you too, child,” Mrs. Maya whispered. “But you were better off where you were.”

Eileen’s throat tightened. “I was happy. Until they found me. It was my wedding day. They… they shot him. In front of—”

“Stop,” Mrs. Maya interrupted quickly. She leaned in, whispering, “They’re always watching. I’ll find a blind spot. Then we’ll talk. Understand?”

Eileen nodded silently as Mrs. Maya disappeared into the kitchen.

This house was full of shadows. But Mrs. Maya was her one light. Eileen regretted not telling her about her escape all those years ago, but she didn’t want the woman punished for her sins.

Now, she would need her more than ever.

Because this time, she wasn’t escaping.

She was going to end this.

She was going to burn Josè Santiago and all he had to the ground. She doesn't know how yet but it was coming.