Chapter 3
Victor’s anger never looked wild at first.
It looked formal.
His shoulders straightened.
His jaw tightened.
His eyes became still.
That was how Elena knew to be careful.
She had seen that expression at board meetings, charity dinners, estate conferences, and once when a housekeeper broke a crystal bowl worth less than Victor spent on wine in a week.
Daniel stepped beside Elena, protective but controlled.
“Mr. Ortega,” he said, “this dinner is over.”
Victor laughed.
“You think you decide that?”
“I decide who I marry.”
Vanessa’s eyes filled instantly.
Not with heartbreak.
With humiliation.
Lydia moved to her side and wrapped one arm around her, glaring at Elena as if Elena had stolen something that belonged to her sister.
“You always take everything,” Lydia hissed.
Elena stared at her.
“I took nothing.”
“You took his attention.”
Daniel said, “I am standing right here.”
Victor pointed toward the terrace.
“You will not speak to my wife that way on my property.”
Elena felt the old phrase land.
My property.
My family.
My money.
My rules.
Then Victor looked at Daniel.
“You want Elena? Take her as she really is. Scarred by disobedience.”
The words made no sense until Victor’s hand moved toward the landscaping wall.
Daniel stepped forward.
Too late.
The brick flew once.
Only once.
The impact was not shown again.
It did not need to be.
The sound stopped the party.
Elena staggered.
Daniel caught her.
Lydia laughed before anyone could decide whether horror or fear came first.
“Let’s see if he still wants you now.”
That was the sentence every witness remembered.
Because it proved this was not shock.
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It was satisfaction.
Read the full story 👉 Lydia’s laughter told the witnesses the injury was not an accident—it was part of a punishment Elena’s family understood.
