“Sir, this is too much. In 108-degree weather, carrying fifty pounds uphill will kill her.”
Richard’s face darkened. He slammed his glass against the table.
The guards fell silent.
Vanessa quickly stroked his chest, whispering sweetly, “Don’t be angry, Richard. Anger is bad for your health. Maybe the guards are right.”
But the sharp look she gave them could have cut glass.
“I’m not angry. I’m disgusted,” Richard said with a smile, turning the venom back on me. “Emily Carter, stop pretending. Get up. Lily’s life is in your hands. If you disobey, I’ll give that heart to someone else. Then you can watch her suffer.”
He sneered. “Just like at that pet funeral—Vanessa cried her heart out, but you were cold as stone.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
A father threatening his wife with his own daughter’s life?
“Richard!” I roared, eyes bloodshot. “If anything happens to our daughter, I will haunt you even in death!”
Perhaps it was the first time he had seen me so unhinged, because Richard froze for a moment before standing abruptly.