Chapter 4

John thought I was going to call the police. Fury flashed across his face. He snatched my phone away and smashed it on the ground. He roared at me.

"Enough, Emma! How much more unreasonable can you be today? I've been good to you. You have everything you need, and you're Mrs. Garpin. What more do you want?"

What more did I want? I let out a bitter laugh and looked at John and Karen, enunciating each word clearly.

"I'm tired. I want a divorce. How about that?"

John didn't hesitate for a second. "That's impossible. Emma, I've clearly spoiled you too much. You've become this way because I let you. You even tried to slap Karen. You need to be taught a lesson today."

A flash of disappointment crossed Karen's eyes before she quickly covered it up. "John, I think you're right. Mrs. Garpin doesn't know how good she has it. She needs to be taught a lesson, or she'll forget her place."

She paused, as if something had just occurred to her. A smile spread across her face as she turned to John.

"John, didn't you tell me your family has an ice cellar? Why don't we let Mrs. Garpin cool down in there for a while? She won't die in there, and it'll teach her a good lesson."

That ice cellar was below freezing. If I went in there, I'd die for sure.

"No! I can't go in there. I'll die! John, you're insane!"

John didn't even glance at me. After hearing Karen's suggestion, he nodded immediately.

"Not a bad idea. Let's use the ice cellar. An hour should do it. She won't die, and maybe she'll finally learn."

No! I couldn't go in there! I reached out to grab John's clothes, but he dodged me with disgust written all over his face.

"Emma, just stay in there and behave. When you come out, I hope you'll stop being so jealous all the time. Then, you can continue being Mrs. Garpin."

I could ask Eloise for help. I looked at my daughter desperately, but she stared back at me coldly.

"You offended Ms. Linsell. You deserve to be locked up."

Panic seized me. I had to escape. I had to get out of here.

I forced my body toward the door. I hadn't taken more than a few steps when Eloise spotted me and cried out.

"Mom's trying to run away! Dad, go after her!"

John turned and saw me. Rage twisted his features. He ran over and yanked me back.

Karen watched the scene unfold and spoke up again. "John, if she won't cooperate, why don't we break her legs? Technology is so advanced now. We can get them fixed later. It won't cause any real problems."

She pulled out a golf club with a sweet smile and handed it to John. John looked at me and sighed as he took the club.

"Don't blame me for this, Emma. You brought this on yourself. Just be good and bear with it. It'll be over soon."

Shock flooded through me. I struggled and screamed.

"You're insane! John, if you break my legs, I'll hate you forever!"

He tied me up and swung the club at my knees. The pain was excruciating. It tore through me like knives stabbing into bone. The pain forced blood up my throat.

It hurt. It hurt so much.

However, it wasn't over. They dragged me to the ice cellar and threw me inside.

The moment the cellar door slammed shut, despair crashed over me. I pounded on the door desperately, begging them with everything I had left.

"Don't leave me alone in here! It hurts so much! It's so cold! I'm going to die!"

Only silence answered me. Was I really going to die here?

My breathing grew shallower with each passing second. Then, suddenly, the door opened.