Chapter 3

Lindsay stood by my bed, holding the empty basin, looking down at me with a look of superiority.

She was dressed in a fancy evening gown, her makeup flawless.

"Sabrina, wake up," she said with a mocking smile. "We've got guests tonight. Isaac wants you downstairs to pour drinks."

I wiped the water from my face and sat up.

The fever had gone down a bit, but my head still throbbed.

I looked at her, my gaze icy.

Lindsay flinched at my stare, then her turned to rage. "What are you looking at? Don't test me, or I'll rip your eyes out myself."

She leaned in close, her voice dropping to a menacing whisper. "Sabrina, don't think I can't see right through you. You want revenge? Keep dreaming.

"In this house, you're not even worth a stray dog. One word from me, and Isaac will kick you out. Leave you to rot outside like some wild mutt."

I suddenly laughed without making a sound.

That silent laugh sent a chill down Lindsay's spine.

"What are you laughing at?" she screamed.

I got out of bed, walked over to the vanity, and grabbed a lipstick.

I scrawled a message across the mirror. I wrote: [Game over.]

Lindsay froze, confusion flickering in her eyes. "What do you mean?"

I tossed the lipstick into the trash can and turned to leave.

Since you're hosting guests, I'll give you a surprise you'll never forget.

*****

Downstairs, the hall was glowing with light.

Isaac was all smiles, deep in conversation with a middle-aged man.

I recognized him. It was Eden Warren, the biggest investor in Goodman Holdings.

Lindsay chased after me, trying to catch me, but I moved fast and didn't let her slow me down.

I showed up right in the middle of the hall, soaked pajamas clinging to me, my hair wild, my face pale as death. I must have looked like a ghost haunting the place.

The whole room went dead silent.

Isaac's face turned stormy the second he saw me. "Sabrina, why are you down here looking like that? Get back to your room!"

Eden looked at me, surprised. "Mr. Goodman, who is this?"

"Just the maid. She's a bit off in the head," Isaac lied without missing a beat.

"I'm his wife," I said.

My voice came out raspy, raw, but loud. It cut through the hall like a knife.

Everyone was stunned into silence.

Isaac's eyes widened. He stared at me in utter disbelief. "You can talk?"

Lindsay turned as white as a sheet. "You... you're not mute?"

I cleared my throat.

Three years without speaking had left my vocal cords damaged, but that didn't matter now. I was ready to make my statement.

I walked up to Eden with a slight smile. "Mr. Warren, nice to meet you. I'm Sabrina, Isaac's wife. The so-called 'lucky charm' the Goodman family claims wards off bad luck."

Eden stared in shock. "Mr. Goodman, what is..."

Isaac rushed over, grabbing for my hand. "Have you lost your mind? Shut up! Someone, take her back to her room."

Two bodyguards came charging in.

I jerked back, pulled a fruit knife from inside my clothes, and pressed it against my throat.

"Anyone comes near, and I'll kill myself right here," I said.

My voice was quiet, but there was a deadly resolve in it.

Blood rolled down the blade, soaking the white fabric of my pajamas in crimson.

The bodyguards froze, not daring to make a move.

Isaac stared me down. "Sabrina, what do you want? Money? Jewelry? Whatever it is, I'll give it to you. Just put the knife down."

"I don't want your money," I said.

I looked right at him, and finally, tears started streaming down my face.

But it wasn't sadness. It was relief, like I was finally free.

I said, "Isaac, I want a divorce.

"And I'm calling the police."

Isaac looked at me like it was the funniest thing he'd ever heard. "Call the police? What for? Are you going to tell them I abused you?"

I pulled out my phone and opened up the video.

Then I synced it to the hall's Bluetooth speakers.

The sound boomed through the entire house, echoing off the walls.

"Throw her in!" That was Isaac's voice.

"Just say, 'Lindsay, I was wrong,' and I'll have them pull you up."

"Boring. She just won't die, huh?" Isaac said.

Their voices and laughter rang out, crystal clear.

Eden's and the other guests' faces all shifted. Isaac's face turned ghostly white.

Lindsay shrieked and lunged at me, trying to snatch the phone. "Turn it off! Turn it off. That's fake. It's all doctored."

I sidestepped and, with a sharp backhand, slapped her right across the face. I put every ounce of strength into it.

Lindsay was beaten, then collapsed to the floor, blood oozing from the corner of her mouth.

"Consider that payback for the milk you threw at me yesterday," I said coldly.

I strode over to Isaac.

He was trembling, his eyes filled with fear and confusion as he stared at me like I was a stranger. "Sabrina, wait, let me explain. It was just a joke..."

"A joke?" I replied.

I laughed so hard, tears spilled down my cheeks.

"Isaac, how about I play a little joke on you?" I said.

I raised my hand and gave him a slap he'd never forget.

Louder than the one before.

I said, "That slap was for the Sabrina you left to die in that warehouse.

"From today on, I'm not taking this anymore."