The wedding celebrations had faded into the night. Laughter and blessings were now only echoes in the Stevenson mansion's silent halls. Miss Dora, exhausted beyond measure, cradled little Harry against her shoulder. She kissed his temple and carried him to her room, whispering a soft lullaby through her tears of relief and grief.
But elsewhere, a different storm brewed.
Kay pushed open the door to the master bedroom—the room she had claimed for herself. She ran her fingertips over the polished wood of the bedframe, her eyes glinting in the soft light. She sat on the edge of the bed, gazing around the lavish space as if she already owned the world.
"All of this…" she whispered, her fingers trailing along the silk sheets. A twisted smile curled her lips as her gaze fell on David's framed photograph on the bedside table. She touched the glass with a possessive caress.
"All of this is mine now. This mansion. This wealth. And…" she tapped the photo, "this hottest man."
The click of the bathroom door startled her. David entered, expression hard, eyes cool as ice. He gave her a single, cold stare and then walked past her without a word, vanishing into the en suite for a shower.
Kay blinked at his retreating figure, her face freezing into disbelief. What the hell? No smile? No word? After all this?
The hiss of running water filled the air, and she fell back onto the bed, staring at the ceiling. Then she heard the door open again.
David emerged, a towel wrapped loosely around his waist, his damp hair falling in dark strands over his forehead. Droplets slid slowly over his bare chest, tracing the lines of sculpted muscle before disappearing beneath the towel's edge.
Kay's jaw slackened. Her pupils dilated. Her breath quickened. Heat flushed her skin as her thoughts turned dark, unholy, fevered. Oh God… those shoulders, those arms… A shiver snaked down her spine. She licked her lips unconsciously, devouring the sight with her eyes.
But his voice cut through her trance like a blade.
"You can change into something comfortable for a better sleep," he said evenly, rubbing his hair with a towel. "I'm going to Harry's room."
Her fantasies shattered instantly. "W-what do you mean? You're going to Harry's room?" Her tone sharpened with panic.
"I don't think there's any need for these kinds of questions," he answered coldly. "It's late. He might be feeling alone… maybe scared. I'm going to his room. Any problem?"
Kay's mind burned with rage. This dumbo is leaving his newly wedded wife—for that stupid kid? She clenched her fists beneath the sheets.
David ignored her and took a fresh shirt from the wardrobe. Within minutes he was dressed and walking out.
Kay watched the door close behind him, disbelief twisting into fury. "Are you… for real?" she whispered into the empty room.
Her chest rose and fell rapidly, her fingernails digging into her palms. She stared at David's photograph with a gaze that turned black as night.
"You'll pay for this, darling. Just wait and watch. For that stupid kid, you ignored me on our first night?" Her lips curled into a sinister smile. "You'll regret it. Very, very soon. The countdown begins… now."
The Next Morning
A sharp knock woke her. Kay blinked against the morning light. "Yes… come in," she said in a sleepy drawl.
The maid entered, bowing slightly. "Miss Dora is calling you for lunch, ma'am. She is already at the dining table with Mr. David and little Master Harry."
Kay dragged herself from bed, steam still rising in her mind from last night. After a long hot shower, she joined them at the dining table, her smile practiced.
"Hello, dear child. I hope you slept well?" Miss Dora said softly, passing her a warm smile.
Kay murmured under her breath, her words like acid, "Ask your stupid son who left his newly wedded beautiful wife alone on the first night…" But aloud she said only, "Yes, Mom," and forced a sweet smile.
Across the table, she shot a daggered glare at Harry. The little boy fidgeted with his spoon, sensing the chill in her eyes. After breakfast, David bent down, kissed Harry on the forehead, and headed for his office. Kay held her breath, waiting for her moment, expecting a hug, some gesture of care. Nothing. He walked right past her as though she was invisible.
A Wicked Plan
Kay turned to leave, but Miss Dora's voice stopped her. "Where are you going, child?"
"In my room," she replied, masking her irritation.
"You're new to Harry," Miss Dora said gently. "Spend some time with him. He'll start liking you very soon, I'm sure of it."
Kay's blood boiled. Her jaw tightened. But she forced a smile and picked up Harry, who stiffened in her arms. "Okay, Mom. Don't worry. He'll start liking me very soon."
She carried him to the backyard, her smile fading the instant they were alone. Her voice dropped to a venomous whisper. "Because of you… your stupid dad ignored me last night. He broke my beautiful dream. Now you'll face the consequences, baby boy."
She threw him onto the grass with a sudden, brutal motion. Harry yelped in pain, landing hard on his side. He burst into frightened cries, tears streaming down his cheeks. The sound echoed in the empty yard, unheard by anyone. Kay stood over him, arms crossed, her eyes glittering with cold amusement.
She left him there, wailing on the grass, and returned to her room as if nothing had happened. She sat at her vanity, calmly painting her nails, humming under her breath while the boy's sobs grew hoarse.
Evening Shadows
Miss Dora emerged from her room later that evening, asking the maid where Kay and Harry were.
"Little Master Harry is sleeping in his room, ma'am. And Mrs. Kay is in her room," the maid replied.
David arrived early, loosening his tie. "Where's Harry?" he asked immediately.
"In his room," Miss Dora answered with a smile, relieved that at least the boy was resting. David went upstairs and found Kay sitting on the bed, legs crossed, her eyes glued to her phone.
"You're back already?" she asked lightly.
"So what?" His tone was flat.
"Nothing… so, how was your day?" she tried again, her voice sugar-sweet.
"I'm tired," he said, turning away. He disappeared into the bathroom. By the time he came back out, the room was empty—Kay was gone. He sighed in relief and stepped out.
The Child's Wound
In Harry's room, the boy slept fitfully. David sat on the edge of the bed, brushing his fingers through the soft hair. Harry winced and let out a hiss of pain. David froze, frowning as his eyes caught sight of a red bruise on the boy's forehead.
"What's this?" he whispered, gently touching the wound. Harry stirred awake, eyes glassy with tears.
"Dad… Dad… she… she—"
The door creaked open. Kay stepped in, her timing perfect. Her eyes softened instantly, her voice feigning concern. "Oh, that… we were playing in the backyard. He wasn't listening to me. I tried to feed him, but he kept making trouble and… he fell from the table." She sighed dramatically. "I even tried to put medicine on it, but he wouldn't let me touch him."
David's gaze hardened. "You should take care of him," he said, voice cold. "I can't take any risks. Understood?"
"Yeah," Kay replied, rolling her eyes just enough for him not to see.
Inside her mind, however, her thoughts were venomous. Just the beginning, darling. Just a little punishment for last night. There's a whole movie—a horror movie—you'll watch with your own eyes. Wait. Watch.
David kissed Harry's forehead, unaware of the storm beside him. "Please… take care of him," he said softly.
Kay tilted her head, her lips curving into a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "I'll take good care of him," she purred, her gaze darkening.
Harry whimpered, squeezing his eyes shut, pressing his little face against his father's chest, terrified of the woman who now stood so close, smiling so sweetly… and planning something far, far worse.