Chapter 16
It was Estelle’s first time stepping into Callum’s basement.
She had once snuck down here years ago–back when Callum had dragged a disloyal subordinate inside. The screams that followed haunted her for weeks.
Now she was the one shackled, crying and begging, but the man standing before her looked more devil than human. The more she pleaded, the deeper his
smirk cut into her soul.
“Estelle,” Callum drawled, his voice like ice. “You could’ve done a lot of things. But going after Evelyn? That was your biggest mistake.”
He leaned in, voice low and mocking. “You have any idea what I did to get her to marry me? I tried to make things right with you out of pity. Pity. And you
dared to touch her.”
His glare alone sent Estelle into violent tremors.
Her wrists strained against the chains, eyes locking on something moving in the corner.
A hulking black dog, restrained by one of Callum’s guards, saliva dripping from its jaws, bloodshot eyes trained solely on her. The beast looked starved-
for her.
“Didn’t you say you needed a therapy dog for your depression? Didn’t Evelyn kill it?” Callum asked darkly. “So here. I got you another one.”
“No! Please! I’ll talk–I’ll tell you everything! I killed the dog. It was me. I just wanted to frame Evelyn. I saw how much you cared about her. I couldn’t stand it. I wanted her gone! I was jealous. I hated her!”
She sobbed, snot and tears streaming down her face. “I’m sorry, Callum. I’m so sorry. I did it because I love you!”
Callum burst into laughter. Cold. Unhinged.
“Love me? Please. You ran out of money overseas, heard I inherited the Rivers fortune, and came crawling back. Don’t insult my intelligence.”
He didn’t wait for another excuse. A single nod.
The leash was dropped.
The dog lunged with a bone–chilling howl.
The basement was instantly drowned in screams and the sickening scent of blood.
“Don’t let her die,” Callum said evenly. “I’m not done with her yet.”
The next morning, Estelle’s scandal was all over the tabloids.
Leaked photos. Dirty videos. Her fabricated sob story blown wide open. Her past affairs with aging billionaires in Europe. The hit–and–run accident.
She was finished.
She lay bandaged head to toe, crimson soaking through gauze, her face barely recognizable. Her body trembled in agony and fear.
“Callum, what more do you want?” she rasped.
Callum stood over her, arms crossed. Cold. Detached.
“Every ounce of pain Evelyn endured,” he said, “you’ll feel it tenfold.”
Estelle tried to beg, but her voice cracked. Her face contorted in fear when a cameraman entered the room, hoisting up a video recorder.
Realizing his intent, Estelle clutched his sleeve. “Callum! I’ll apologize to Evelyn–please!”
Her hand reached for him, desperate.
He slapped it away.
“Film it,” he ordered. “Make it viral.”
That week, the entertainment news headlines were filled with Estelle’s scandals.
Estelle’s life is over.
Under Callum’s gaze, Estelle smashed her forehead against the floor again and again, whispering sorry until her voice was hoarse.
When it was over, she looked up at Callum, blood streaking her face.
Chapter 16
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Drama
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“Please,” she sobbed. “Please let me go. I won’t do anything ever again. I swear.”
Callum’s lips curled into something resembling a smile.
“Of course.”
She exhaled, almost hopeful–until the door burst open.
A team of men in white coats stormed in.
Callum’s voice dropped to a low whisper near her ear. “Evelyn signed the waiver. I can’t throw you in jail–but I found a better place. You said you wanted security and comfort? You’ll have it.”
He straightened, eyes gleaming.
“Doctors, she’s sick. Says she wants to be cured. Do whatever it takes.”
Estelle screamed as they dragged her out.
She fought. Cried. Pleaded.
“No! Not a psychiatric hospital! I’m not crazy! Please-”
Outside the ambulance, her new doctor shook his head and muttered to the staff, “Patient displays manic episodes. Begin electroshock assessment jimmediately.”
Soon after, the screams echoing through the ward were raw enough to rattle the foundation.
But in that hospital, no one paid attention.
Screams were just part of the soundtrack.
