"Daddy! Grandma! Selina’s spying!", Landon screamed as I dragged him towards the kitchen.
Panic surged up my throat. and without thinking, I put my hand over Landon's mouth, trying to silence him.
His small fists pounded against me, but I dragged him anyway, desperate to escape the damning hallway.
But I was too late. Thundering footsteps echoed down the hall.
Chris and Mrs. Helena burst out of the study, faces hard and wild in the dim light.
"Selina?" Chris barked, with an angry voice. "What the hell are you doing?"
I straightened, forcing my breathing to slow, plastering a false concerned smile across my face.
"Landon," I said sweetly, squeezing the boy’s shoulder, "was trying to sneak some ice cream from the fridge. I caught him just in time."
But Landon twisted out of my grasp, face red and gleeful with cruelty.
"No, she's lying!" he screamed. "She was sneaking around! She was listening to you!"
The hallway froze solid.
My stomach twisted.
The air felt sharp enough to slice skin.
Mrs. Helena's lips curled into a smile so tight it barely looked human.
"Is that true, darling?" she cooed. "Were you... listening?"
Each word dripped with manufactured sweetness, sharpening the noose I felt around my neck.
Chris crossed his arms, stepping closer.
"What were you doing outside the study at three in the damn morning?"
I widened my eyes, feigning confusion. Letting my voice wobble just enough.
"I... I was just getting some water. I got confused. I'm—I'm tired lately."
Mrs. Helena exchanged a knowing glance with Chris.
"Tired... forgetful..." she said lightly, but her eyes glittered like knives. "You really haven't been yourself these days, have you, Selina?"
My fists clenched at my sides.
Play the fool. Let them think you’re weak.
Chris softened his voice — the damn manipulator.
"Maybe after the anniversary dinner, we should finally have that little... checkup arranged."
"Just to be sure you're healthy, sweetheart."
My breath hitched.
Then — it snapped.
Landon lunged at me again, tugging viciously at the delicate silver chain around my neck — the only thing I still wore that belonged to my mother.
There was a metallic snick!
The chain broke, and the small locket tumbled to the cold marble floor with a hollow clink-clink.
"Serves you right. Crazy people don't deserve pretty things", Landon said, his face glee with mischief.
I stood frozen as I stared at him. The boy I had taken care of had turned into a monster. He used to be a sweet boy before but his Grandma had succeeded in turning his heart against me.
Mrs Helena gasped, pressing a hand to her mouth in theatrical horror.
"Landon, darling! That's not how we treat people," she said. But her eyes gleamed with satisfaction.
Behind her, Chris smirked like a man watching a puppet dance on strings.
I knelt slowly, fingers trembling as I picked up the broken pendant.
The locket lay heavy and cold in my palm.
I fought back the tears as I rose, lifting my gaze to meet theirs.
"You're right," I whispered, voice soft as silk. "I’m not myself anymore."
Mrs Helena gave a satisfied hum and Chris squeezed my shoulder patronizingly. I spent the whole night crying and thinking of my next move.
The next morning, I woke up very early to go buy a recorder. I needed evidence. Chris wasn't just an ordinary man, he was rich and powerful. I needed evidence to take him down.
By the time I got home, the house was bustling with activities. The caterers and decorators were already doing their thing. Madison was in charge of it all.
"Selina darling, where have you been?. Happy early anniversary! I thought I'd come extra early to help get everything ready. I just couldn’t sleep, thinking about how special today will be for you. I went to your room to check up on you but you weren't there", Madison rushed towards me in a high pitched sugary voice, beaming with smiles.
"Such a bitch!. As if I didn't hear her plotting against me, last night. As if she didn't sleep over", I thought to myself.
"You are so thoughtful, Madison. I went for an early morning walk and lost my way at some point. You know how forgetful I have been lately ", I replied, smiling back.
"Oh sorry, I'm sure you will feel better when you take your vitamins", she said as she passed those damn pills they swapped my vitamins with.
"Sure", I replied putting a pill in my mouth but this time, I didn't swallow.
"Go and get some rest. Landon is still sleeping. Mrs. Helena and Chris went to get the cake", Madison said sweetly as she watched me take the pill.
Perfect!, I thought to myself. I needed to plant that recorder and take the first step towards escaping.
