Chapter 2

We lived in an isolated suburban villa.

To force me out with nothing, Mason had not only cut my finances but had also fired all the housekeepers and staff.

In this massive house, it was just the two of us. For my own safety, I had linked a smart home security system to my phone.

If anyone attempted to break in, my phone would trigger a high-priority alert.

"What is that damn racket? Turn it off!"

Mason barked in annoyance.

My life was on the line, so I ignored his temper and shoved the screen in his face.

"Someone is breaking the front lock! Go lock the interior doors, and I'll call 911 right now!"

I began punching in the numbers, but before I could hit call, Mason swatted my hand away.

"Nina, you've completely lost your mind! Paranoid freak! Who the hell breaks into a house in this neighborhood?

It's just a sensor failure. Don't waste emergency resources with a prank call."

My phone hit the hardwood floor with a sickening crack, the glass shattering instantly.

I scrambled across the floor to pick it up, only to find the touch screen was completely dead.

It was an old phone from years ago. Ever since Mason cut off my cards, every penny I had was drained by legal fees for the divorce; I couldn't afford a replacement.

I gritted my teeth, glaring at him with pure fury. "Since when do you give a damn about public resources? Mason Vance, you're just terrified of the police because of all the filthy, illegal things you've done!

For the past two years, you brought your mistresses back here so often that you tore down all the security cameras so no one could catch you on tape! My security app is the only thing keeping this house safe!

If you ignore it and something happens, you won't even have time to cry—"

Slap!

A brutal slap cut my words short. Mason stared down at me with utter contempt.

"Have I been too gentle with you lately? You dare curse me?"

Right then, the cracked screen of my phone flashed one last time before dying completely: the front door lock had been breached.

Swallowing down the humiliation of the slap, I forced myself to stay calm and looked him straight in the eye.

"You've made countless enemies out there. Aren't you even a little afraid?

Fine, don't call the cops. But you at least need to step outside with me and check if we're safe!"

Mason didn't listen to a single word. He flopped back onto the mattress and went right back to his FaceTime call.

"Babe, are you really not going to check it out?" Samantha asked through the speaker.

Mason snorted dismissively.

"Why pay attention to that lunatic? She's completely off her rocker. If she doesn't throw a fit every single day, she feels uncomfortable."

Samantha giggled. "Well, I hope she goes fully insane soon. Then you can finally throw her out."

Both of them laughed cruelly.

Their laughter made me feel like I was suffocating.

Yet the creeping terror from downstairs weighed far heavier on my chest.

Swallowing hard, I decided I had to go look on my own.

With my phone broken, my only lifeline was the physical emergency panic button stored in the living room.

Trembling, I crept out of the bedroom. The view outside the second-floor window made my blood run completely cold.