My Husband Wants Me Dead novel (Esther and Bradley)

Esther’s eyes widened with terror, and she struggled desperately as Bradley gripped her jaw firmly. He was domineering and insane, commanding her, “Swallow it!”

The taste of buttercream filled Esther’s mouth, but instead of sweetness, she tasted nothing but the metallic tang of blood.

Bradley began smearing the blood-looking cream all over her face.

He warned, “Esther, remember this. I’m only merciful once. If there’s a next time, you’ll watch as her hand is cut off and delivered to you.”

Nausea churned in Esther’s stomach. She didn’t care that Bradley was still there and knelt down to vomit nearby.

Now she understood that the severed hand from earlier wasn’t real—it was a creation by a cake artist. Despite its artificial nature, the fear it had instilled made her scalp tingle, and she felt the pain as if she were truly being tortured.

Bradley paid no attention to Esther’s agony. He turned to Sally and declared, “You’re fired.”

“Mr. Warner, I’m sorry…”

a well-paying job

Sally and

as he stood up and ordered curtly, “Now that

Bradley anxiously, unable to believe he would let her off

and freshen up, then prepare

“Yes,” Esther replied hoarsely.

heart. She stood up and walked into the villa. Despite walking on solid ground, every step felt like she was floating,

use the bathroom on

“Okay.”

railing and ascended to the third floor slowly. She pushed open the bathroom door and felt a surge of sadness when she looked at her reflection in the

the severed hand rushed back, and she dared not cry.

the bathroom, she found a set of maid’s clothes outside the door. The