Chapter 3

I stared at my phone, scrolling through photos of shelters within a fifty-mile radius. Three days had passed since Sophia had moved into our home, and with each passing hour, I felt myself fading further into the background of my own life. I needed to do something—anything—to remind Gabriel that I wasn't just a decorative object he could push aside.

My gaze drifted to the wine cellar door at the far end of the kitchen. Gabriel was intensely proud of his collection, rare vintages he'd acquired over years of cultivating relationships with exclusive vineyards. The idea formed slowly, crystallizing with dangerous clarity.

"Sophia," I called out, my voice honeyed with false warmth as I spotted her walking through the living room. "Gabriel mentioned you enjoy Bordeaux. I was about to select something special for dinner tonight."

She paused, surprise flickering across her perfect features before being replaced with that calculating smile. "How thoughtful of you, Lily."

"I could use your opinion," I continued, gesturing toward the cellar door. "Gabriel values your taste, after all."

The subtle dig wasn't lost on her, but curiosity won out. She followed me down the narrow stairs into the cool, dimly lit cellar. The heavy oak door swung shut behind us with a satisfying thud.

"Gabriel has quite the collection," she remarked, running her fingers along the dusty bottles. "Which one were you thinking of?"

"There's a '97 Château Margaux he's been saving." I moved deeper into the cellar, watching as she followed. "It should be in the back corner."

When she turned away from me, I slipped back toward the entrance, my heart hammering against my ribs. I reached the door, stepped through, and closed it firmly behind me. The lock engaged with a soft click that sounded like thunder in my ears.

I heard her heels click rapidly across the stone floor, followed by the rattle of the doorknob.

"Lily?" Her voice was controlled, but I could hear the edge of panic. "The door seems to be stuck."

"Is it?" I leaned against the door, a strange calm washing over me. "How unfortunate."

"This isn't funny. Open the door."

"I think you should stay there and reflect on your place in this house," I said, surprised by the steadiness of my own voice. "Which isn't in my husband's bed."

I heard her pounding on the door, her voice rising. "You pathetic bitch! Do you think this will change anything? He'll choose me over you every time!"

I removed her phone from her purse, which she'd left on the kitchen counter, and switched it off before placing it in a drawer. Then I went upstairs, changed into a silk blouse and tailored pants, and waited.

* * *

I must have dozed off because the next thing I knew, I was being dragged from bed by my hair. Gabriel's face loomed above me, contorted with rage, his grip painful as he hauled me to my feet.

"What the fuck did you do?" he snarled, his breath hot against my face.

"I don't know what—"

His hand closed around my throat, cutting off my words. "Don't lie to me. Marcus found her locked in the wine cellar. Two hours, Lily. She was down there for two hours."

Fear coursed through me as his fingers tightened. I clawed at his hand, gasping for air.

"You're going to apologize," he said, releasing my throat but maintaining his grip on my arm. "And then you're going to understand exactly where you stand."

He dragged me up the stairs to the rooftop terrace. The night air was cool against my skin, the city lights spread out below us like fallen stars. Our infinity pool gleamed black in the darkness.

"Gabriel, please," I whispered, suddenly aware of his intent as he marched me toward the water. "I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking clearly."

"No, you weren't." He stopped at the edge of the pool. "And now you need to cool off."

Before I could react, he shoved me forward. I hit the water with a splash, fully clothed, the shock of cold stealing my breath. As I surfaced, gasping, his hand pressed down on the top of my head, forcing me under again.

Panic exploded in my chest as water filled my nose and mouth. I thrashed wildly, my lungs burning, but his strength was overwhelming. Just when black spots began to dance at the edges of my vision, he pulled me up.

I coughed violently, water spewing from my mouth as I desperately sucked in air.

"Sophia is the future," he said, his voice terrifyingly calm as he held me at the edge of the pool, my head barely above water. "You're the past. The sooner you accept that, the easier this will be for everyone."

He pushed me under again, longer this time. When he finally allowed me to surface, I was too weak to fight, clinging to the edge of the pool as my body shook with violent coughs.

"If you ever try something like that again," he said, crouching down to meet my eyes, "I won't pull you back up. Do you understand?"

I nodded weakly, water streaming from my hair and clothes.

"Good." He stood, straightening his cuffs. "Now clean yourself up. You look pathetic."

He left me there, shivering at the edge of the pool, the city lights blurring through my tears.

* * *

The next morning, I woke to an empty house. My throat was raw, my body aching from Gabriel's assault. I dragged myself from bed, wincing at the bruises forming on my arms and neck.

"Bailey," I called softly, needing the comfort of my golden retriever's warm presence. Usually, he would bound into the room at the sound of my voice, tail wagging furiously.

Silence answered me.

I moved through the penthouse, calling his name with increasing urgency. His bed in the corner of my study was empty, his toys untouched, his leash still hanging by the door.

"Bailey!" My voice cracked as panic set in.

The elevator doors opened, and Marcus, Gabriel's head of security, stepped out. His face was impassive as he handed me an envelope.

"Mr. Sterling asked me to deliver this," he said, not meeting my eyes.

My hands trembled as I tore it open, unfolding the single sheet of paper inside.

*Bailey has been surrendered to a shelter for re-homing. Sophia is allergic to dogs. This is non-negotiable.*

The note fell from my fingers as a sob tore from my throat. Bailey—my companion, my comfort, the one living thing in this house that loved me unconditionally—gone. Taken from me without warning or goodbye.

It wasn't just cruelty; it was a message. Nothing was mine. Not my home, not my husband, not even my dog. Everything could be taken away at Gabriel's whim.

As I sank to the floor, arms wrapped around myself, I realized with crystal clarity that I was completely alone. And if I didn't find a way out soon, there would be nothing left of me to save.