Chapter 3
Astrid's POV
After I leave the casino, I go to the cemetery alone.
I wipe the dust off the headstone and light a candle.
Dominic's not coming, so I'm here.
Since he won't divorce me, fine.
We can stay married and never see each other again.
But that woman? I'm not letting her go.
I call one of my men.
"Teach that bitch a lesson. Get me some pictures."
The photos come through the next morning.
Evelyn's face is swollen like a balloon, tears and snot everywhere.
I forward the photos to Dominic.
Not long after, they drag my man in front of me.
Dominic looks at me like I'm a stranger.
"You crossed the line this time."
His voice is cold.
"I already backed off. Stop going after her."
I almost laugh.
Backed off? What the hell does he think he's doing?
"I never said I'd leave her alone," I tell him. "That's all in your head."
"You want me to leave her alone? Fine. Divorce me."
I pause, making every word count.
"Otherwise, today it's just a beating. Tomorrow I'll cut off her hands. The day after that, her legs. I'll take her apart piece by piece. She'll never have a moment's peace."
Dominic stares at me for a few seconds.
Then he laughs.
That smile is like an adult humoring a child. It makes me sick.
"Okay, you made your point." His tone is condescending. "I know you love me. I know you want a baby."
"We'll have one eventually."
He waves his hand.
Two of his men grab the guy on the floor and drag him toward the door.
I know what that means.
That's someone who's been with me for three years.
Dominic doesn't even blink.
"Don't pull this shit again," he warns me. "Next time it won't be him."
Then he walks out.
This man really has changed.
I don't recognize him anymore.
Over the next few days, I keep having my people go after Evelyn.
Dominic calls. I don't answer.
He texts. I don't reply.
He thinks one warning is enough?
Pathetic.
Eventually Dominic has to move Evelyn somewhere I can't find her.
Can't find her, so I wreck his businesses instead.
Casinos, clubs, docks. Anywhere he owns, I tear it up.
I need him to know I'm not someone he can push around.
On the fifth day, I'm in the middle of trashing a club when my phone rings.
One of my men.
"Mrs. Brooks, we've got a problem! Mr. Brooks is going to tear down your daughter's grave!"
My head buzzes. I bolt out of the club and floor it all the way there.
I hear the excavator from blocks away.
The cemetery is torn to pieces.
Trees ripped out, dirt flying everywhere.
There's a massive excavator parked in front of Lily's grave.
Dominic and Evelyn are standing off to the side.
That bitch is leaning against him, giggling at the scene.
Laughing like she's watching fireworks.
I'm seeing red. I run forward, trying to stop the machine. "Stop!"
The operator sees me, hesitates, then stops.
That's when Evelyn speaks up.
"Oh, you're here?"
Her voice is syrupy sweet. Every word fake as hell.
"I've been so scared these past few days. Dominic wanted to make me feel better, so he said he'd turn this place into a private pool for me."
She tilts her head, eyes full of challenge.
"You don't mind, right?"
When Dominic hears this, he smiles.
He pulls her closer and kisses her forehead right in front of me.
Then he looks at me like I'm some annoying stranger.
"Why would she have a problem with it?" he says. "I warned you to leave her alone. You didn't listen."
"So don't blame me for what happens."
Evelyn shrinks into his arms, playing scared.
"But I'm still so scared," she whimpers. "What if she keeps coming after me?"
Dominic pats her back gently.
"Don't worry. I've got you."
His voice is gentle. A gentleness I haven't heard in years.
"I know how to handle her."
Evelyn's tears turn to smiles.
She starts acting spoiled, like a bratty child.
"Then I want a huge pool. With a hot tub. And colored lights."
"Okay."
"And I want you to take me to the beach. The best hotel."
"Okay."
"And, and..." She stands on her toes. "I want you to give me lots and lots of babies."
Dominic holds her tight.
He smiles so wide it makes me sick.
"Okay," he says. "Whatever you want."
