Chapter 2

The air seemed to freeze in that instant.

Arthur was stunned for a few seconds, then let out an utterly absurd, cold laugh.

"Divorce? Because I haven't been home for three days? Because I didn't play along with that ridiculous 'our son is kidnapped' act? Ivy, do you really think you, a housewife who's been out of society for seven years, can survive without me?"

"That's none of your concern." I turned to leave.

"Stop right there!" Arthur grabbed my wrist, his grip so tight it felt like he might crush my bones.

"Let me tell you something—don't you dare try to threaten me with this playing-hard-to-get nonsense. Divorce? Fine. But you can forget about getting custody of Luke. An unstable, hysterical woman like you isn't fit to raise him!"

I whipped my head back around and stared directly into his eyes.

Arthur was so startled by the dead emptiness in my gaze that he let go of my hand.

"Don't worry." I smoothed the wrinkles from my sleeve, my voice as light as a breath of wind. "Luke won't be with you, and he won't be with me either. He's in a very safe place right now."

That box was very sturdy. Luke couldn't see anything anymore, so he'd never be sad again waiting for a father who never came.

"You're absolutely impossible!" Arthur yanked at his tie in frustration. "Fine! Do whatever you want! When you calm down and realize how ridiculous you're being, you can come crawling back to me!"

He stormed out the door, probably off to find his delicate Chloe again.

The next morning, Arthur walked back in, followed by the pitiful, pathetic Chloe. She was wearing Arthur's trench coat and my own slippers on her feet.

"Ivy, I'm so sorry to intrude." Chloe looked at me timidly, but there was undisguised smugness hidden in her eyes. "I was just too scared… I know it took time away from your family, but please don't be angry with Arthur."

What perfect manipulation. She'd flaunted Arthur's favoritism toward her while dismissing my desperate cries for help as nothing more than jealous tantrums.

Arthur's frown deepened. "Chloe really can't be alone right now. And since you're so paranoid and hell-bent on this ridiculous divorce, I'm having her stay here with us. Think about it, Ivy—if I were actually hiding something, would I bring her under our own roof? I'm doing this so you can see for yourself and finally drop this whole damn thing."

He glanced around, his expression hardening. "Where's Luke? Sent him off somewhere else again? Using our own son as a bargaining chip to get your way... it makes me sick."

I looked directly into Arthur's eyes, my voice soft. "Luke prepared a big gift for the two of you. It's right there in that box. Aren't you going to open it and take a look?"

Arthur glanced at the box seeping blood and sneered. "What kind of game are you playing now? More theatrics?"

Chloe, curious, leaned in and reached her hand toward the box.

I smiled faintly. "That box contains Luke."

Chloe yanked her hand back as if she'd been shocked. Her eyes instantly reddened as she hid behind Arthur. "Arthur, Ivy… is she losing her mind?"

"Ivy! That's enough!" Arthur slammed his hand on the table, knocking the wooden box to the floor.

The box didn't break open. It remained tightly sealed.

"Ivy, don't think I don't know what you're up to. Divorce? You think you can threaten me with divorce? Let me tell you—there's no way in hell I'm divorcing you! Chloe will be staying here until the gang threatening her is caught. If you can't handle it, then you can pack your things and get out yourself."

"Fine." I obediently nodded, the corner of my mouth curling into a strange, eerie smile. "Since you insist so strongly, I'll stay. And I'll take very good care of you both."

Arthur snorted coldly and led Chloe into the master bedroom.

I bent down, picked up the wooden box, and gently stroked its surface.

That evening, I prepared an exquisitely elaborate dinner. Beef Wellington, French velouté soup, and Chloe's favorite cranberry cookies.

I played the part of the perfect, resigned wife. Arthur was very satisfied.

"Ivy, as long as you behave yourself, we can be a very happy family, don't you think?"

Chloe picked up a cranberry cookie and took a bite, sighing theatrically. "Ivy, you're such a good cook. These cookies are delicious. What's your secret ingredient?"

I rested my chin on my folded hands and stared directly at Chloe.

"I added a little bone meal."

Chloe's chewing came to a halt. She looked at me in confusion. "Bone meal?"

My smile widened, but my eyes were as sharp and cold as ice. "It's what was left of Luke. I picked the finest, most powdered bits and mixed them into the flour. How does it taste, Chloe?"

Chloe's face turned visibly pale. She clapped both hands over her mouth, let out a dry heave, and scrambled toward the bathroom. Soon the sound of violent vomiting echoed from inside.

Arthur overturned his dinner plate with a crash. He charged at me like an enraged lion, grabbed me by the collar, and yanked me up out of my chair.

"Ivy! Are you out of your fucking mind?!"

"You'd make up a sick lie like this just to disgust Chloe? Luke is perfectly fine, and you're cursing him dead? You're a goddamn psychopath!"

I didn't even struggle. I looked at his furious face and suddenly burst into manic laughter.

I wonder what your reaction will be, Arthur, when you finally realize that everything I've said is true.

It should be very interesting.