Chapter 4

• When Katerin heard the man’s words, she lifted her gaze, and Zac could see more clearly the bruises on her face. He clenched his jaw in anger.
• “Don’t do it. Pretend you’ve never seen me. I’m a woman not worth your time, and I’m trapped by my fate, from which I’ll never escape. Please, take me home. I beg you, sir.”
• “I’ll take you home,” he says, grabbing the bag of medication. “You need to take them. Do you promise?” he asks, and she nods, very grateful.
• Zac helps her walk to the car. She gets in and closes her eyes, every part of her body in pain.
• “Can you give me your address?” he asks, and she tells him. “How many children do you have?” Zac asks, still focused on the road.
• “Three...” she replies, deep sadness in her voice, then she gazes out the window as Zac drives her a block away, at her request. “Thank you for bringing me, sir.” Seeing that dawn has broken, she becomes worried, gets out of the car, and walks toward her house. Zac Ferrero takes out his mobile phone.
• “What’s the order, boss?” Teo asks.
• “Do you have any information for me?” Zac asks. He hasn’t slept a wink, and his eyes are burning.
• “Yes, boss,” Teo replies.
• “Come to my car,” Zac orders, as Teo was following him.
• Zac takes out a fine cigarette and starts smoking heavily.
• “Be direct with your information,” Zac orders, seeing that Teo is now comfortable.
• “Larry Ellison is the woman’s husband. They’ve been married for 20 years. The eldest daughter is not his; she’s the result of a rape. The woman’s parents died in a terrible accident, and that’s how she ended up with him. They have two children, a girl, and a boy. She’s had two miscarriages because of the beatings. He hits her a lot, as many times as he wants. He doesn’t have children outside of the home, but he has plenty of mistresses.”
• Zac takes a long drag of the cigarette, his gaze dark.
• “He owns the Ellison stockbroker firm, but I’ll let you know that the real estate business is yours. He still hasn’t paid it off completely, boss. Also, a neighbor reported something, though I had to pay him a hefty sum. He told me that he almost killed her a month ago.”
• No one dares to report it, they say it’s a couple’s problem.
• “Son of a bitch,” Zac mutters under his breath.
• “Boss, I have a feeling that if you asked for all this information, it’s because you’re interested in the woman. Or am I wrong?”
• “You’re very wrong! I can’t stand mistreatment of women. I want that damn bastard to suffer. Bring him to ruin, but now, make sure he has nothing. Do you understand?” Zac glares at Teo.
• “You know I love ruining the lives of bad people, but, my friend, if that happens, what will become of that woman and her children?” That question made Zac thoughtful.
• But he didn’t answer, especially when he saw a car pull up to Katerin’s house. Larry got out of it.
• “Get out and make sure he doesn’t hit her. If he does, call Barrabás and make him suffer three times what he’s caused Katerin.”
• ***
• "Mother was worried about you!" said Emily.
• "Don't worry, it looks like Larry hasn't arrived. I'll make breakfast."
• "Don't make him anything, Mother. Let's go far away from that man. You don't have to suffer, neither do I. Look." Emily showed the magazine where Larry appeared on the front page with his lover, leaving a luxury hotel.
• Just then, they heard Larry's car and panicked.
• Larry entered the house with a sour expression.
• "Breakfast," he ordered, sitting down at the dining table.
• "I want a divorce, Larry," Katerin said firmly.
• He smiled wickedly.
• "Never. Your place is here, to serve me and be my damn slave. Go get breakfast, now!" he shouted, slamming his fist on the table.
• Katerin swallowed hard.
• "Daughter, go to your room," Katerin ordered.
• "No, Mom. Don't stay alone with that beast."
• "You can say whatever you want, you worthless bastard. Let me inform you that your fiancé will be here tonight, so I don't want any contradictions. You will obey."
• "My daughter is not marrying that old man, and this is over. I want nothing more from you, Larry. Because of you, my two babies are dead, and all you do is blame me. You're a murderer. One day, you'll pay for all the harm you've caused me. I regret the day I decided to build a life with you."
• "Who would ever love you? You're ugly and disgusting. Get to the kitchen, and I don't want to say it again." Larry stood up.
• "To your room, Emily," Katerin ordered.
• "Feeling brave now?" Larry shouted, and Emily flinched. But for some reason, Zac Ferrero's words gave her courage.
• "I'm going to report you, Larry. I can't stand you anymore. I'll clear the path for you to be with your lover and leave my life in peace. You're killing me slowly, and my children need me."
• Emily stepped aside, and Larry slapped Katerin hard. The physical pain no longer hurt her soul did.
• Larry took off his belt.
• "I'm going to beat that arrogance out of you. You belong here, always. You'll never get rid of me because I hate you and want to see you die slowly."
• Katerin closed her eyes, and Emily ran to her room.
• Just as Larry was about to hit her, his phone rang. But his greed for money outweighed his rage. He answered while glaring at Katerin with hatred.
• "Speak!" he snapped arrogantly.
• "Sir, you need to come to the company!" the secretary said, panicking in her voice.
• "What's going on?" Larry barked furiously.
• "You lost everything, sir. Everything. You're bankrupt. There's a lawyer here, and they're evicting the employees."