"I'm in pain."
Esther was soaked in cold sweat, her biggest fear being health issues that might lead to her death.
In the dimly lit basement, a single spotlight illuminated a crystal coffin. Esther followed the hypnotic techniques from the book and eventually hypnotized herself, drifting into a hazy sleep.
-
The seaside weather was fickle. A clear sky from yesterday had turned into dense clouds today.
Liora woke up on her usual schedule and went downstairs to find an empty living room. Her customary sumptuous breakfast was missing.
"Mandy, Mandy, I'm hungry," she called.
Mandy had been sleeping, recovering from last night's drinking and the presence of Bradley, a man with unpredictable moods on the remote island.
Had Liora not knocked so urgently, she wouldn't have seen a disheveled and disgruntled Liora.
"Eat if you're hungry," Mandy replied, pointing to the kitchen.
"But I don't know how to cook," Liora complained. "Besides, your father said my hands are meant for playing the piano and arranging flowers, not for cooking."
Hearing this, Mandy pushed her away and slammed the door shut.
"If you don't know, learn. Otherwise, you'll go hungry," Mandy declared from behind the closed door, pulling the covers tightly around herself and lying back down.
Liora felt wronged and stood outside, not daring to knock again to avoid upsetting Mandy further. She glanced upstairs before going up gracefully.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: My Husband Wants Me Dead (Esther and Bradley)
don't read at all. horrible story, makes me sick....