Chapter 1
My husband shoved me against the kitchen wall and wrapped his hand around my throat because I refused to put his mother’s name on my house.
“Sign the papers, Emily,” Daniel hissed.
I clawed at his wrist.
“I bought this house before I married you.”
His mother, Patricia, stood beside the dining table with her arms folded.
She smiled.
“Stop being selfish.”
Daniel released my throat just long enough for me to breathe.
Then he slapped me across the face.
My head snapped sideways.
Patricia actually laughed.
“You married into this family,” she said. “What belongs to you belongs to us.”
I stared at Daniel.
Three years of marriage suddenly felt like one enormous lie.
He grabbed the property-transfer documents and threw them against my chest.
“My mother deserves security.”
“And I don’t?”
Daniel stepped toward me again.
“You’d have nothing without me.”
Patricia looked me up and down.
“Your father spoiled you into thinking you’re important.”
That made me stop shaking.
Daniel noticed.
“What?”
I picked my phone up from the counter.
Patricia laughed again.
“Who are you calling? Your little lawyer?”
“No.”
I pressed one name on my screen.
Dad.
Daniel rolled his eyes.
“Go ahead. Cry to your father.”
The call connected.
My father answered immediately.
“Emily?”
I tried to speak normally, but my voice came out broken.
“Dad… Daniel put his hands around my throat.”
There was silence.
Then my father’s voice changed.
“Is he still in the house?”
“Yes.”
“Is his mother there?”
“Yes.”
Daniel snatched the phone from my hand.
“Your daughter is being dramatic.”
My father said something that wiped the smile from Daniel’s face.
“What did he say?” Patricia demanded.
Daniel slowly lowered the phone.
Before he could answer, I heard my father clearly through the speaker.
“Colonel James Carter speaking. Do not touch my daughter again.”
Patricia’s expression stiffened.
Daniel forced a laugh.
“You think your military title scares me?”
Dad ignored him.
“Emily, get somewhere safe and stay on the line.”
Then I heard another voice behind my father.
“Colonel, the vehicles are ready.”
Daniel looked toward the front window.
Patricia did too.
May you like
A few seconds later, the sound of several engines rolled into our driveway.
And when Patricia pulled back the curtain, her cold smile disappeared.
