The mansion that once echoed with laughter and warmth now felt like a prison ruled by fear. The air was tense, the staff walked on eggshells, and whispers vanished whenever David’s footsteps approached. His anger had grown darker, sharper — like a knife waiting to cut anything that crossed its path.
Each morning, he stormed out of his room, slamming doors, throwing orders around, and finding faults where none existed. His arrogance had turned into madness, and every face he saw reminded him of betrayal — especially Lydia’s.
That day began with the sound of crashing glass.
Everyone in the kitchen froze when David’s furious voice echoed through the hallway. “Who served me cold coffee?! Who did this?!”
A maid named Clara ran in, trembling. “Sir, I—I did, sir. The kitchen—”
Before she cou
