Chapter 3 - THE COLD WITNESS
Evelyn Vance stood near the curved staircase, her elegant silver updo catching the warm glow of the wall sconces.
She held a crystal glass of expensive Napa Valley red wine in her manicured hand, not a single muscle in her face twitching.
Her silver sequined gown shimmered like moonlight against the dark wood of the grand American mansion.
"She provoked you, Richard," Evelyn said coldly, her voice smooth and devoid of any maternal warmth.
"A wife who forgets her place in this family deserves a harsh reminder of her boundaries," Evelyn added indifferently.
Richard looked at his mother, seeking validation to soothe the sudden panic clawing at his chest.
Neither of them noticed the subtle, terrifying change happening in Mariana's dark, unwavering eyes.
The bruised cheek and bleeding lip only served to ignite a fierce, unyielding fire deep within Mariana's soul.
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She remembered every harsh word, every calculated humiliation, and every dismissive glance over the past three years.
The illusion of her submissive marriage shattered into a million irreparable pieces right there on the floor.
