Chapter 2: The Truth Behind the Ropes
The nursery door swung open.
Victoria stepped inside as if nothing were wrong.
She held her wineglass loosely in one hand, her lips curling into a practiced smile.
"Oh," she said softly. "You're home early."
Daniel slowly stood between her and Emily.
For the first time in twelve years of marriage, he looked at his wife as though she were a complete stranger.
"What did you do to her?"
Victoria glanced toward Emily and shrugged.
"I disciplined an employee."
"You tied her to our bed."
"I restrained someone who abandoned her responsibilities."
Emily lowered her eyes.
"I only asked to see my son."
Victoria laughed.
"Your son was dying yesterday, too."
"He always seems to be dying whenever you want time off."
Daniel's jaw tightened.
"Untie her."
Victoria didn't move.
Instead, she took another sip of wine.
"I said..." Daniel repeated quietly.
"Untie her."
Something in his voice finally made her hesitate.
"You'd choose a nanny over your own wife?"
Before Daniel could answer, Emily spoke.
"No, sir..."
Her voice was barely audible.
"Please don't argue."
"I just need to get to the hospital."
Daniel immediately pulled a pocketknife from his briefcase and carefully cut through the blood-soaked sheets.
Emily collapsed forward the instant the ropes released.
Daniel caught both babies before they slipped from the carrier.
Emily clutched her bleeding wrists but didn't complain.
Instead, she looked desperately at the clock.
"My son..."
Daniel gently handed the twins to Victoria.
"Hold your children."
She stared at him.
"I don't want—"
"Hold them."
The sharpness in his voice left no room for argument.
Reluctantly, she took the twins.
Daniel removed his suit jacket and wrapped it around Emily's trembling shoulders.
"I'm taking you to your son."
Victoria stepped directly into his path.
"If you walk out that door with her..."
"...don't bother coming back."
Daniel looked into her eyes.
Then he calmly replied,
"I wasn't planning to."
Victoria's confident smile disappeared.
As Daniel helped Emily toward the front door, her body suddenly froze.
She grabbed his sleeve.
"There... there's something else."
Daniel stopped.
"What is it?"
Emily's face turned ghostly pale.
"Mrs. Cole didn't just stop me from seeing my son..."
"...she's the reason he ended up in the hospital."
Silence filled the hallway.
May you like
Victoria's wineglass slipped from her fingers.
It shattered across the marble floor.
