Chapter 1 - The Doorway
The glass hit the floor before Rachel heard the front door open.
It shattered under the dining table, bright pieces jumping across the hardwood as Vanessa twisted a fist into Rachel's hair and slammed her shoulder against the table edge.
"Get off me!"
Rachel grabbed Vanessa's wrist with both hands. Her cheek burned from the slap she'd taken seconds earlier, and the room smelled like Vanessa's expensive perfume and spilled wine.
Then a briefcase dropped behind them.
Daniel stood in the doorway, frozen.
For one terrible second, nobody moved.
His eyes went from the broken glass to the legal papers scattered across the coffee table, then to Rachel's red cheek.
"Vanessa."
His voice was low enough to scare Rachel more than a shout.
Vanessa released Rachel and straightened her black coat like she had simply bumped into someone at a party.
"Perfect timing," she said.
Daniel crossed the room and stepped between them. Rachel moved behind him, one hand pressed to her face.
He looked over his shoulder. "Did she hit you?"
Rachel didn't answer fast enough.
Vanessa laughed. "Oh, please. She's fine. We were having a conversation."
Daniel turned slowly.
"Don't you touch my wife."
Vanessa's smile disappeared.
She pointed toward the papers. "Your wife has everything that belongs to me."
"She owes you nothing."
"Three hundred thousand dollars says otherwise."
Rachel stared at the papers. "What is she talking about?"
Vanessa's eyes dropped to Rachel's wedding ring.
"That ring. This house. His money. His promises. Pick one."
"Get out," Daniel said.
Vanessa took a step toward Rachel anyway. Daniel blocked her. She swung at him, more desperate than controlled. His hand came up in one quick open-handed motion, stopping her advance. Vanessa staggered back, stunned more by the refusal than the impact.
Daniel pointed to the door.
"Get out of my house."
Vanessa backed into the hall, one hand on her cheek, the other wrapped around her handbag.
Daniel started closing the door.
Then Vanessa smiled at Rachel.
It was not the smile of a woman who had lost.
"I didn't come here only for the money."
Daniel stopped.
Rachel looked at him.
Vanessa's voice softened.
"There's something your wife doesn't know about you."
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Daniel's face went pale.
And for the first time since the attack began, Rachel forgot about the pain in her cheek.
