My Billionaire Husband Killed My Mother to Keep Me Caged

When I came home from my mother's funeral, a stranger's clothes were scattered across the living room floor.

Unmistakable sounds drifted from the bedroom.

This wasn't the first time Benedict Barnes had brought a strange woman home.

When they finished, Benedict came out.

He looked at me with nothing but indifference. "The bedroom's a mess. Go clean it up."

Same as always. He expected me to clean up the aftermath of him and whatever woman he'd dragged into our bed.

He was the CEO of Barnes Group. I was nothing but his caged bird. Even after he'd made me his legal wife, he never once looked at me like I mattered.

In the past, if I dared disobey, he'd hit me. Or he'd send people after my mother.

But now my mother was dead.

I stood up and walked into the bedroom. This time, I wasn't there to clean up after them.

I was there for the woman still lying in the bed.

...

I lunged forward, grabbed a fistful of her hair, and swung. Left. Right. Left. Right.

Slap. Slap. Slap.

Every ounce of my rage poured into that woman's face.

I'd landed over a dozen slaps before Benedict kicked me to the ground.

My forehead cracked against the nightstand. Blood streamed down my face.

I'd never been afraid of him hitting me. I was only ever afraid of him hurting my mother.

I scrambled to my feet and charged at Benedict. I wanted to claw that disgusting face apart.

He was taller than me. Stronger.

The gap in strength between us meant I couldn't even get close before he kicked me down again.

This time he didn't give me a chance to get back up. He drove his foot into my ribs over and over, then grabbed me by the hair and dragged me to the edge of the bed.

"Apologize to Abigail."

I spat a mouthful of blood at Abigail Simmons.

She clutched the blanket to her chest like a frightened little animal. "Benedict, just let it go."

"I'm a woman too. I understand how she feels."

Slap.

Benedict backhanded me across the face. "If you had half of Abigail's sense, you wouldn't be in this situation."

"I told you to apologize. Did you hear me?"

I just looked at him. He could beat me all he wanted. I would never bow my head.

"I'm calling someone right now to pay your mother a little visit."

Again. He was using my mother as leverage. Again.

The fury inside me erupted. I screamed and clawed blindly at him.

But rage alone couldn't close the gap between us. Benedict knocked me to the floor once more.

His hand closed around my throat. "You've lost your mind. You want me to have your mother thrown out of the hospital? Leave her dead on the street?"

"Benedict, stop." Abigail stepped forward and tugged at his arm. "She's your lawfully wedded wife, after all."

He turned to look at her. "Abby, you're too kind. Today, I'm settling this for you. This worthless woman needs to learn how to behave when she sees you."

"These things take time. You can't solve everything with your fists." Abigail glanced at me. "She's bleeding badly. Take her to a hospital first."

"No need." Benedict released me. He cupped Abigail's face gently. "You're the one she hit. Let me take you to get checked out."

He scooped Abigail into his arms and carried her toward the door. At the threshold, he turned back and fixed me with a vicious glare. "I'll deal with you when I get back."

Abigail looked at me over his shoulder. The corner of her mouth curved up, just slightly.

The smile was silent, but it cut like a scream.

"Benedict. Let's get a divorce."

"Divorce?"

"You wouldn't dare."

"Say those words again, and I'll cut off your mother's medical bills today."

A year ago, my mother had gotten sick and been hospitalized.

Because of Benedict's control, I had no source of income whatsoever. I had no choice but to beg him to pay for her treatment.

For an entire year after that, when he said jump, I jumped.

When his latest fling threw a tantrum, I was the one sent to soothe her.

When he and his fling forgot protection, I was the one sent to deliver it.