Chapter 7 - The Rules of a Wife
Nora had not invited Evelyn to the estate.
Derek claimed his mother had come to discuss the family’s financial emergency.
Evelyn stood beside the bed with the leather folder.
“You embarrassed my son,” she said.
“I read a contract.”
“You humiliated him on the morning after his wedding.”
Nora looked toward Derek.
He had locked the bedroom door.
The soft click sounded louder than it should have.
“We can discuss this downstairs,” Nora said.
“No,” Derek replied. “We are finishing it here.”
He took the folder from his mother and placed it on the bedside table.
Nora’s pulse quickened.
She touched the hidden transmitter beneath the lace of her sleeve.
Rachel and Detective Shaw would now be listening.
Derek removed his jacket.
“You’ve spent your entire life surrounded by employees who obey you,” he said. “That is not how marriage works.”
“How does marriage work, Derek?”
“The husband leads. The wife supports him.”
Evelyn nodded approvingly.
Nora almost could not believe what she was hearing.
This was not simply performance for legal authority.
They believed it.
They believed marriage gave Derek the right to control her decisions, her company, and eventually her body.
Nora moved closer to her suitcase.
Derek noticed.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m leaving.”
“No, you’re not.”
He stepped between her and the door.
Nora remained calm.
“Move.”
His expression changed.
The pleasant mask disappeared completely.
He reached for the belt around his waist and slowly pulled it free.
Evelyn did not stop him.
Instead, she picked up the blanket from the bed and held it against herself, as though preparing to witness something unpleasant but necessary.
Derek allowed the belt to hang from one hand.
“Time to teach you the rules of being a wife.”
The sentence shocked Nora, but it did not surprise her.
The camera above the bed recorded his words.
The transmitter carried them to the people waiting nearby.
Nora opened her suitcase.
Derek expected her to reach for clothes or a phone.
She took out the red boxing gloves.
He laughed once.
Then he saw her expression.
She pulled one glove onto her hand and tightened the strap with her teeth.
May you like
“Perfect,” she said. “I need a sparring partner.”
His smile disappeared.
