My husband be@t me mercilessly for 3 hours and left me to d!e in the basement, ignoring that with my last breath I would call the one person I vowed never to see again in 30 years to unleash the perfect revenge.

“Mr. Whitmore ordered everyone not to call a doctor,” Daniel said, his voice cracking with fear. “He said you should stay down here until you understand the consequences of what you did. I brought bandages and painkillers in secret.” He pulled supplies from a small paper bag with shaking hands. “I can’t risk bringing anyone else… I can only try to help you survive a little longer.”

With unimaginable effort, Elena slowly opened her swollen eyes.

“What… else did he say?” she whispered faintly.

Daniel lowered his gaze in shame.

“He said you were never to touch Sophia Bennett again.”

Elena gave a bitter, broken smile through split lips.

“Seventeen fractured bones… internal bleeding near my spleen…” she murmured. “Bandages won’t save me, Daniel.”

He swallowed hard.

“Then tell me what to do.”

“When I married Richard, I brought a red suitcase into this house. There’s a hidden compartment underneath the lining. Inside is a green jade pendant.” Her breathing became ragged. “Bring it to Mr. Lewis Taylor’s tailor shop in downtown Los Angeles. Knock three times… pause… then knock twice. Tell him Elena Morrison says it’s finally time.”

Daniel froze.

“If they catch me—”

“You’re helping me because I paid for your sister’s surgery years ago,” Elena whispered. “You’re a good man. Go now.”