The Wife He Let Go

There were two more days until my escape. I woke up in my room, my limbs heavy and aching.

"Mrs. Costello, you're awake," the butler, Francis Doyle, said as he entered, his voice tinged with concern. "The hospital brought you back just in time. Why did you run out into the rain alone?"

I forced a bitter laugh, choosing not to explain. Just as I struggled to sit up, the door burst open, and William stumbled in, reeking of alcohol. He snarled, "Get out!"

Francis immediately scurried out. William's bloodshot eyes locked onto mine, and before I could react, he lunged at me, knocking me back onto the bed.

"Don't touch me! You're in the wrong room!" I gasped, trying to push him away. However, my weakened body was no match for his strength.

He pinned my wrists above my head, his lips crashing down on mine in a suffocating kiss. Pain shot through my body as he roughly handled me, and tears streamed down my face.

"I didn't get the wrong room, Nina. You're my wife," William growled as he yanked at my clothes, his eyes bloodshot.

"I know our child is gone, and that hurts me too. But Jones died for me. I can't betray him, so you'll have to bear this burden..." he whispered against my ear, the stench of alcohol making my head spin.

"You know, the truth is, I'm actually—"

"Enough!" I screamed, using the last of my strength to shove him off me.

However, William was not done. He ripped his shirt off, his muscular chest heaving as he prepared to force himself on me again.

The commotion must have caught Emily's attention, because the door suddenly flew open. She froze, her face draining of all color.

Then, she shrieked, "You filthy whore! How dare you seduce my husband!"

A harsh slap landed across my face, and I collapsed, passing out.

It took me a long time to come to. My cheek was red and swollen. I downed several gulps of water, staggering to my feet.

Just as I stumbled toward the door, Emily appeared again, ready to confront me. She spat, "Slut! You lost your husband, and now you're throwing yourself at mine? Serves you right that William and your child are both dead! You should've joined them!"

With those words, my rage instantly ignited.

She was the one who stole my husband and caused me to lose my baby. Yet, she was accusing me of being the other woman.

Fueled by intense anger, I grabbed her collar and slapped her across the face. I snarled, "You destroyed my family! You're the real slut!"

Emily screamed and fell to the ground. She covered her face and looked at me, not with anger, but with a smug smile. "You dared to hit me? Fine! I'll show you who the real outsider is in this house."

With that, she grabbed a vase and smashed it against her head. Blood immediately streamed down her face. After flashing a satisfied smirk, she quickly changed her expression to one of terror and ran outside. "Help! Nina is trying to kill me!"