Chapter 3

I pushed open the front door of the villa.

Darlene was leaning lazily against Maynard's shoulder. She looked smug as he massaged her neck with practiced ease.

Waldo was curled up next to her, sweetly calling her "Ms. Thompson".

The whole room was glowing with sickening, rosy warmth.

The spots where my photos used to hang were now filled with a framed portrait of the three of them. They looked like a perfect little family—like Darlene was Maynard's wife and Waldo's mom.

I pretended not to notice and headed straight toward my room.

But Maynard blocked my path, towering over me with that suffocating authority of his.

"Patricia, Darlene told me everything. She saw you sneak into the storage room and sabotage the last lifeboat. You want to throw a tantrum, fine. But to go as far as hurting Darlene? I'm so disappointed in you."

I turned my head to the side and let out a cold laugh. "You actually believe her?"

Maynard's face darkened. "Darlene doesn't lie. She's not like you—spiteful and manipulative."

The cruise ship had already sunk. There was no evidence left, nothing but Darlene's word. Yet Maynard took her side without question.

As Maynard spoke, Darlene quickly stepped in. She clutched his sleeve like she was afraid I might say something to expose her.

With that innocent, wounded look she always wore, she murmured, "Maynard, don't be so harsh on Patricia. After all, she's your wife. It's only natural that she'd be jealous of how well you treat me…"

A sharp sound echoed through the room.

A red handprint bloomed across her face.

If I hadn't just gotten out of the hospital and been so drained of strength, I would have slapped her clean across the room.

Everyone froze.

Maynard stared at me wide-eyed. But his shock quickly gave way to fury.

He grabbed a fistful of my hair and slammed me to the floor. His fists and feet followed like a storm. He hit me over and over.

I didn't fight back. I wanted him to kill me. I wanted it to end right there.

"Go on. That's all you've got? Or did your side piece already drain every ounce of strength from you?" I spat between shallow breaths.

It was like something snapped in Maynard. He hit even harder, driving his fist straight into my lower stomach with brutal force.

I was left battered and bruised. Every inch of me ached from the assault.

Lying there, I realized maybe I should have chosen a quicker way to die.

Another punch flew toward my face—but this one never landed.

Derek caught Maynard's arm in mid-air, then punched him square in the jaw.

Maynard crashed to the ground.

Before he could react, Derek had him pinned.

I was covered in bruises; not a single patch of skin was left unscathed. My organs felt like they were twisting inside me. I was so close to dying, but Derek had to ruin it.

He straddled Maynard, pinning him to the floor. Rage was radiating from him. "She's dying! Do you even realize that? You were about to beat her to death!"

Maynard struggled beneath him. "She deserved it! She went after Darlene first."

Derek snapped, "Are you blind? She's provoking you on purpose. Patricia is suffering from severe depression. She's suicidal!"

"Suicidal?" Maynard scoffed.

"She wouldn't dare. She fought tooth and nail to steal the title of 'Mrs. Hansen'. Now she wants to throw it all away? I don't buy it."

Waldo stood off to the side, wailing through his tears. "Mom's mean! She hit Ms. Thompson. I don't want her to be my mom anymore!"

My head was pounding from all the noise. It felt like it was about to split open. While they argued, I quietly made my way to the rooftop.

The house was only four stories tall. Falling from that height might not kill me, but there was a rusted metal pitchfork in the lawn. If I landed just right, it would pierce straight through me.

I took a deep breath, letting the wind rustle my hair.

I used to be terrified of heights. But now, there was no fear left—only a desperate longing for peace.

I stepped forward and leapt.

But just as my feet left the edge, a pair of arms yanked me backward, pulling me hard against the rooftop.