The Genius Ex-Wife’s Revenge Portfolio novel Chapter 86

Ella took over all the chores that used to belong to that poor girl. Every day, she washed clothes and cooked meals, always bracing herself for Mike’s next outburst. He’d yank her hair, kick her hard, or swing his belt at her. Those days felt endless, like she’d never escape.

As Ella got older, her beauty started to show, even in that tiny, rundown village. That was when things took a turn for the worse. Mike’s glances grew darker. He’d make her sit on his lap, his breath thick with booze and sweat as he tried to kiss her face. At night, Ella would lock the bathroom door, but sometimes she’d catch him staring through the crack, eyes full of sick hunger, grinning at her like some nightmare she couldn’t wake up from.

That fear followed her everywhere. She could never shake it.

One night, Mike brought home two of his drinking buddies. They laughed and joked, “Mike, when are you getting yourself a new wife?” Mike just laughed, saying, “Don’t you see? My new wife is right here at home. Just gotta give her a little more time to grow up.” His friends stared at Ella, their faces twisted with envy. “So cute, so pretty. Why can’t we ever get this lucky?”

That was too much. Terrified, Ella slipped out of the house, her hands shaking as she dialed Rachel’s number from the old payphone at the edge of the village. The moment the call connected, tears streamed down her cheeks. She sobbed, her voice raw and desperate. “Mom… Mom, please help me…”

But a girl’s voice answered, bright and proud. “Who are you? This is my mom’s phone, not yours. My mom only has one daughter.”

Ella froze in place.

Then she heard Rachel’s gentle, loving voice. “Jessa, my little princess, it’s your birthday. I’ve got you a pearl crown. All your friends are here. They can’t wait for your dance performance.”

Jessa giggled. “Thanks, Mommy.”

It hit Ella right then. It was Jessa’s birthday.

She hung up, her heart sinking. There was no going back to Mike’s house. So she just kept walking, not knowing where she was headed, until the trees closed in around her and she found herself deep in the forest.

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