Chapter 1
I came home early from a business trip and found my five-year-old daughter dressed like a servant, kneeling at my wife’s feet and polishing her shoes.
For a second, I thought I was looking at some bizarre game.
Then Lily saw me.
“Daddy!”
She dropped the cleaning cloth and tried to stand.
Vanessa snapped her fingers.
“I didn’t tell you to get up.”
My blood went cold.
Our housekeeper, Maria, rushed in from the hallway.
“That’s enough, Mrs. Carter.”
Vanessa turned and slapped her across the face.
I dropped my suitcase.
“What the hell are you doing?”
Vanessa froze.
“Daniel? You weren’t supposed to be home until tomorrow.”
I walked straight toward Lily.
She was wearing a tiny black dress with a white apron tied around her waist.
Her knees were red from the hardwood floor.
I picked her up.
“Why is my daughter dressed like this?”
Vanessa forced a laugh.
“It’s just a game.”
Maria touched her swollen cheek.
“That’s not true.”
Vanessa pointed at her.
“You’re fired.”
“Stop,” I said.
The entire room went silent.
I looked at Lily.
“Sweetheart, tell Daddy what happened.”
Vanessa immediately stepped closer.
“She doesn’t understand what you’re asking.”
Lily wrapped both arms around my neck.
“She makes me call her Madam when you’re gone.”
Vanessa’s smile disappeared.
“She’s confused.”
Lily shook her head.
“She makes me clean her shoes, pick up her clothes, and eat after she finishes.”
I stared at my wife.
Vanessa whispered, “Daniel, she’s making things up because she doesn’t like rules.”
Then Maria quietly unlocked her phone.
“I started recording after I realized what was happening.”
Vanessa lunged toward her.
I stepped between them.
Maria pressed play.
Vanessa’s voice filled the room.
“If your father knew how useless you really were, he wouldn’t want you either.”
Lily began trembling in my arms.
Then she whispered, “Daddy, that’s not the worst thing she does.”
I looked down at her.
She slowly pointed toward the locked door at the end of the hallway.
May you like
“She makes me sleep in there when you travel.”
Vanessa went completely pale.
