CHAPTER 1: The Girl in the Freezer

I heard Lily screaming from behind the chained freezer.

I tore the lock loose and yanked open the lid.

Freezing air swept over my hands.

My six-year-old daughter was curled between frozen packages, trembling so violently her teeth knocked together.

"Dad!

I'm so cold!"

I reached in, lifted her into my arms, and held her tight against my chest.

"I've got you, baby.

You're safe now."

I wrapped my suit jacket around her and rubbed her arms while she kept staring at the open freezer as if it might swallow her again.

I crouched down.

"What happened, sweetheart?

Where is your grandmother?"

Lily tightened her fingers around my sleeve.

She looked toward the house.

Then back at the freezer.

"She locked me in there…"

Her voice cracked.

"…because I saw what she did to Mom."

Everything inside me went still.

"What did you see?"

Lily opened her mouth.

Then the back door of the house slammed.

Someone was running.

And my wife was nowhere to be found.

---

What did Lily see?

"You and Adrian can rent somewhere smaller," he said.

My husband sl@pped me across the face in front of his entire family, poi...

My husband sl@pped me across the face in front of his entire family, pointed toward the front door, and shouted, "Get out of my ho...

My sister looked me directly in the eyes before kicking my six-month pre...

My sister looked me directly in the eyes before kicking my six-month pregnant belly.

And where is her mother?

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Chapter 1: The Girl in the Freezer