Chapter 4My Madness, His Million-Dollar Hit

I gripped the pen so hard my knuckles turned white. "Victor, you stripped my father of everything he built. Must you steal his very last breath?"

I grabbed his lapels, wanting to tear him apart. He merely adjusted his cuffs with supreme arrogance.

"Kathy, remember who holds the cards here. Sienna's baby is coming, and I need these shares to finalize the restructuring of the company as a gift to my new wife." He grabbed my jaw, his grip agonizingly tight. "Sign, and the old man breathes a little longer. Refuse, and I stop his medication right now."

The heart monitor's steady beeps sounded like a countdown. Looking at my dying father, I sobbed. For four years, he had kept me in the dark, and now he wanted me to humiliate myself for his mistress.

"I'll sign."

But as I reached for the paper, Victor pulled it away.

"Not so fast. Sienna is hosting a yacht party tonight to celebrate the success of Madwoman and her birthday. She's been having nightmares since you showed up. Look at yourself. Go there, kneel, and beg for her forgiveness. If she's happy, I'll take the shares. If not, no deal."

The humiliation was overwhelming. "You want me to kneel to her?"

"Is the great Kathy Barrett too proud?" he mocked, reaching for his phone. "Then let's see how long your father survives."

"Fine! I'll do it!"

Two hours later, dressed in a cheap, revealing slip dress provided by Victor's men, I was forced onto the deck of The Empress, a luxury yacht anchored in international waters.

The thumping bass and bright lights of the party hit me instantly. The city's elite were all there. On the massive screens, scenes from Madwoman played on a loop. It was me, screaming, strapped to an asylum bed, being electrocuted until I soiled myself. My real, living nightmare, turned into public entertainment.

"Look who's here!" someone jeered.

Every eye turned to me. Sienna, wearing a white haute couture gown and my anniversary necklace, stepped forward on Victor's arm. "Kathy, you made it! I bought that dress from a thrift store for ten dollars. It fits you perfectly!"

Laughter erupted around us. "Is that the crazy ex-wife? She looks pathetic."

Victor stared at me coldly. "Well? Kneel and apologize to Sienna."

I clenched my fists and walked toward her. As I began to bend my knees, Sienna took a step back. She was holding a pink stuffed rabbit, Lucy's favorite comfort toy.

"Oops, my hand slipped," Sienna squealed as the toy plummeted into the dark, freezing ocean.

"Oh dear, Lucy can't sleep without that. You love her so much, Kathy. Go get it. Do that, and Victor will pay for your father's medical bills."

The November sea was freezing. Jumping in was suicide.

"Sienna, don't push me!" I snarled.

Victor stepped between us. "Take it or leave it, Kathy."

The crowd chanted, "Jump! Jump!"

I looked at the black water, then thought of my father and my daughter. I had no choice. I climbed over the railing.

"Remember what you look like right now, Kathy. Like a dog begging for a bone," Victor sneered.

Splash!

I plunged into the icy water. The cold stole my breath instantly. I swam frantically until my fingers snagged the soggy toy. But as I swam back and reached for the yacht's ladder, a high heel slammed down onto my fingers.

Sienna looked down at me, her face twisted in malice. "Die, you crazy bitch. Once you're gone, everything is mine."

She kicked my hand. I lost my grip and slipped back into the dark depths. Cold water filled my lungs, and my consciousness began to fade.

Just as darkness claimed me, a deafening roar shook the air. Searchlights illuminated the sea like daylight. A black military helicopter hovered overhead, and heavy speedboats surrounded the yacht. A tall, imposing figure descended from the chopper, his black trench coat whipping in the wind. Without a second thought, he dove into the freezing water.

A powerful arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me back to the surface.