Felix carried me the whole way. From the hospital, into the car, then all the way back to the villa like I couldn’t even walk. He laid me down on the sofa carefully, his voice low and warm. “You’re still recovering. Don’t push yourself. I don’t want you getting tired.”
It sounded so gentle.
So loving.
Until I saw her.
Shannon.
Standing there among the servants, wearing a maid uniform like she belonged there.
My chest tightened so hard it hurt.
I looked at Felix, disbelief crashing over me.
She said she wanted to leave the villa… and this was his solution?
Bring her here?
“Danica, listen,” Felix pulled me closer, his arms tightening around me like he was afraid I’d slip away. His tone was soft, but there was something firm underneath it. “If she went to prison back then, she’d already be out by now. four years is nothing. But I’m not letting her off that easy.”
He tilted my chin up, making me look at him.
“So I brought her here. She’ll serve you. Keep atoning for what she did.”
My stomach twisted.
He kept going like this made sense.
“I even talked to a psychologist,” he added. “You’ve been under pressure lately. Facing her, having her around… it might actually help you heal. Trust me, Danica. Everything I’m doing… it’s because I love you.”
Love.
He said it so easily.
And the worst part?
He looked sincere.
The same face he had seven years ago when he got down on one knee and promised me I’d never suffer again.
Now he was the one breaking me.
Again and again.
What was the difference between this and pouring salt into an open wound?
I thought I’d break.
I thought I’d scream at him, refuse, fight back.
But I didn’t.
There was nothing left in me.
Just… empty.
“Okay,” I said quietly. “I’ll do what you want.”
Even if he made her the mistress of this house… I wouldn’t care.
Because I was leaving anyway.
Soon.
For the rest of the day, Shannon acted like the perfect maid. Cleaning, moving quietly, keeping her head down. Felix didn’t even look at her once. He stayed by my side the whole time, like she didn’t exist.
That night, he handed me a glass of milk.
“Drink this,” he said softly. “It’ll help you sleep. Your body still needs rest.”
I took it.
And the moment he looked away, I poured it out.
Something felt off.
I pretended to drink it anyway.
...
Later that night, I lay there, eyes closed, breathing slow.
Waiting.And just like I thought…
Felix leaned down and kissed my forehead.
“Sleep well,” he murmured.
Then he got up and left the room.
The door clicked shut.
A few seconds later…
“Honey… are you sure this is okay?” Shannon’s voice came, soft but excited. “Doing this… while she’s here?”
Felix let out a quiet laugh. “You’re overthinking it. When have I ever broken a promise to you?”
My lashes trembled.
I opened my eyes slowly.
Through the glass doors, I could see them.
Right there.
Behind me.
He had her pinned against the wall, his body pressed close, his head lowering as he kissed her slowly, like he had all the time in the world.
Like I didn’t exist.
My hands clenched so hard my nails dug into my palms.
It hurts but not as much as before.
Not anymore. Because he didn’t deserve my pain.
...
The next morning, Felix left early for the company. I stayed in my room, working on my designs. I didn’t want to see her. Not even by accident.
So the maids brought my meals in.
Breakfast.
Lunch.
Quiet.
Peaceful.
Until evening. There was a knock.
I walked over and opened the door.
Shannon stood there.
Holding a tray.
Her posture straight, her chin slightly raised, her eyes filled with something ugly.
“Danica,” she said, her voice light but sharp underneath. “I saw you that day. Outside the conference room.”
My grip on the door tightened.
“I never thought someone like you would end up like this,” she continued, smiling faintly. “You used to be so proud. And now? After losing a hand… you just gave up everything. How do you even live like this?”
My stomach turned.
She stepped closer.
“Then again… what choice do you have?” she added softly. “You’re useless now. You can’t even stand on your own. You need Felix to survive. So of course you won’t fight back. You don’t dare.”
I felt sick just looking at her.
“What are you trying to say?” I asked coldly.
Her smile widened.
“I’m saying… no matter how long you hide like a coward, you won’t keep him,” she said, her voice dropping. “I’ll push you out slowly. Step by step. Until you’ve got nowhere left to go.”
Her eyes locked onto mine. “Felix belongs to me.”
My hand curled into a fist. For a second… I wanted to slap her.
Hard.
But I stopped myself. She wasn’t worth it.Touching her would only make me feel worse. There were other ways.
Better ways.
I stepped back, ready to close the door. And then— Footsteps.
Shannon’s expression changed instantly the moment she heard the footsteps. One second she was smug, the next she looked like she was about to cry. Then she threw herself backward.
The tray flipped, rice and soup spilling all over her body.
She raised her already red hand, trembling, voice soft and pitiful. “Miss McKellar… I know you’re still mad at me. If pushing me makes you feel better, then… I’ll take it. You can do it again if you want.”
I felt sick.
“I didn’t push you,” I said flatly. “You made that up yourself.”
Shannon’s tears fell faster. “If saying that helps you feel better, then… I’ll just say I fell on my own.”
Felix stood behind her.
For a second, I saw it.
That flicker.
Heartache.
For her.
My stomach twisted.
His expression shifted, something dark passing through his eyes, but then he looked at me instead, like he was forcing himself to believe me.
“Danica,” he said slowly, “I trust you. If you two can’t get along, then fine. I’ll send her away right now.”
Shannon froze. “What…?”
Felix’s voice turned cold. “Didn’t you hear me? Pack your shit and leave.”
She looked stunned, biting her lip, holding back tears like she’d been wronged. “O-Okay… I’ll go now.”
“Good,” Felix said, then turned back to me, his tone softening instantly. “Don’t let people like that ruin your mood. I came back early just to spend time with you. Let’s go out, yeah? I’ll take you somewhere nice.”
He took my hand and led me into the dressing room like nothing happened.
Like she didn’t just perform that whole scene.
He picked out a dress himself, matching it with jewelry, his eyes focused like I was the only thing that mattered.
“Change first,” he said. “I’ll go deal with her.”
He walked out.
And I turned on the ring.
His voice came through, completely different now. Gentle. Soft.
“Honey… I’m sorry you had to go through that,” he said quietly. “Seeing her push you like that… it pissed me off.”
I clenched my jaw.
“But it’s part of the plan,” he continued. “She agreed to me sending you away. That means you’re free now.”
Shannon sounded confused. “What do you mean?”
“It means go back to the villa for now,” he said calmly. “After that, you can go wherever you want. You’re not locked up anymore. Just message me when you get back so I know you’re safe.”
Her voice broke, full of emotion. “You’re… you’re so good to me.”
Felix chuckled softly. “You’re my wife. If I don’t take care of you, who the hell will?”
I turned the ring off.
My hands were cold.
