My Husband Wants Me Dead novel (Esther and Bradley)

“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.

not knocked so urgently, she wouldn’t have seen a

you’re hungry,” Mandy replied, pointing to the

know how to cook,” Liora complained. “Besides, your father said my hands are meant for playing the piano and arranging flowers,

pushed her away and slammed the

Otherwise, you’ll go hungry,” Mandy declared from behind the closed door, pulling the covers tightly around herself and

wronged and stood outside, not daring to knock again to avoid upsetting Mandy further.

Bradley’s door,

motherly tone, saying, “Bradley, what’s going on with your maid? It’s so late, and she’s still

paid her no mind and proceeded down the stairs straight to

continued her complaints. “Bradley, you can’t be so

the basement door, and Liora let out a

“Esther,” Bradley called.

but otherwise showed no response inside