So they hid her away. A calculated move. When the contract ended and they went their separate ways, her lack of public presence would minimize the blowback on Adrian's reputation.
As lunch approached, Bella came downstairs.
Seeing Sara making Bonnie laugh, she stood on the sidelines, throwing passive-aggressive jabs.
Sensing the impending drama, Sara seized the opportunity to slip away, claiming she needed to head home. Before leaving, she pushed all her winnings toward her mother-in-law.
"A little treat for you, Mom." The other ladies cast envious looks.
Bonnie offered a driver, but Sara declined, hailing a taxi instead.
Her destination wasn't the marital villa Adrian had bought.
It was a residential complex on the opposite side of the city—a world away in every sense.
The location was remote, the buildings aged. Its only advantage was the quiet.
Sara didn't knock. She pressed her thumb to the fingerprint scanner and unlocked the door.
Outside, the sun was blazing. Inside, the apartment was pitched in darkness.
Blackout curtains were drawn tight, sealing the room in suffocating gloom. The stale air hit her face, heavy with despair.