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And then he shakes his head, almost imperceptibly. Almost like he’s trying to warn me. But he doesn’t say a word.
Uh oh!
As Nina and I exchange details about tomorrow, I wonder if she would feel the same way about me if she knew I spent the last ten years of my life in prison.
Ope!
I don’t even need mace anymore.
I wouldnt be so sure abt that
Maybe it’s better if I don’t know.
Girl why would that be better you live with her
So much better than what I get for five bucks at the local liquor store.
What wine is $5......
“Millie,” he whispers. And then he kisses me. And God help me, I kiss him back.
Oh God
She’s deliberately tormenting me. But to be fair, I did sleep with her husband.
Lol
I like Andrew. No, I don’t just like him. I’m in love with him.
No ur not u dont even know him
The door isn’t stuck. It’s locked.
I literally feel sick reading this i would panic
Andy is the most handsome man I’ve ever known in real life. I fell half in love with him the first moment I saw him.
Theres a lot to unpack here
I can’t believe I finally got rid of that asshole.
Ope!
“You have to learn the consequences of what you’ve done.” “What are you talking about? Consequences of what?” “Your hair.”
Girlllllll
“I’m going to sleep now. You just hang tight and we’ll talk more in the morning about your punishment.”
I hate men i shouldnt be shocked
And then I hear the sound of the door slamming shut.
Thats fucked up
“I’m watching you, Nina. I’m always watching.”
Ew
“Do you understand, Nina?” Tears prick at my eyes, but I can’t cry. I’m too dehydrated; nothing comes out. “Do you understand, Nina?”
Ok i officially feel bad for her
He’s almost perfect. And I hate his guts.
On one occasion, he caught me indulging in a chocolate cake and he dragged me up to the attic and starved me for two days as a punishment. But after that, he didn’t seem to care anymore.
Jesus
If Cecelia does something unacceptable, I’m the one who gets punished. He has purchased a wardrobe of itchy, frilly dresses that she hates, that the other children make fun of her for wearing, but she knows if she doesn’t wear them or gets them dirty, her mother will disappear for days (likely naked, to teach me clothing is a privilege). So she obeys.
Oh my God
His other favorite way to taunt me is keeping a jar of peanut butter in our pantry, even though he knows that she’s allergic.
OPE
Every once in a while, he slips a little bit into her dinner, just to prove a point when the itchy, uncomfortable rash sprouts after our meal has ended.
What the fuck
If I knew I wouldn’t go to jail for it, I would pick up a steak knife and drive it through his neck.
I support
I moved in here—Andy won’t let me. I miss it.
Anyway, somehow last night the air freshener was too much and it irritated his eyes. My punishment? I had to pepper-spray myself.
My God
“You do not deserve to be treated this way,” he finally says. Then his footsteps disappear down the hallway as the tears run down my cheeks.
Ok date
He isn’t usually in our yard two days in a row. He’s here for a reason that has nothing to do with the state of our flower beds.
she knows that sometimes when she does something he doesn’t like, I disappear for days at a time. And when I do, he’s the one who picks her up. It scares her. She won’t say the words out loud, but she hates him.
Ohhhh thats why she obeys him
We are not having an affair, by the way. Not even a little bit. He thinks of me like Antonia—his sister he couldn’t save.
Ok why am i emotional asf
The trickiest part is that Millie’s new bedroom will be in the attic. He won’t like that at all. But it has to be that way. He has to see her up there if I want him to think of her as my replacement. I have to entice him.
Jesus
“So fire her if you want.” I blink at him. “I can’t stop you.” “Believe me, I will.” Except he doesn’t fire her. Because when he comes home that night, for the first time, the house is clean. And she serves him a dinner that isn’t burned. And she is young and beautiful. So Millie stays in the attic.
Im sick
This will only work if three things happen: Millie and Andy have a mutual attraction. Millie hates me enough to sleep with my husband. They have the opportunity.
Lol
And most of all, I treat Millie like crap. It doesn’t come easily to me to treat her that way. Deep down, I’m a nice person. Or at least, I used to be before Andy wrecked me. Now everything is a means to an end. Millie might not deserve it, but I can’t do this anymore. I have to get out. She starts hating me on her first morning at our house. I’ve got a PTA meeting in the evening, and I march into the kitchen first thing in the morning. I have left a mess over the last couple of weeks, and Millie did an amazing job cleaning up. She worked really hard. Every surface is shining.
I feel terrible about this. I really do. I rip the kitchen apart. I pull out every dish and every cup I can find. I throw pots and pans on the floor. Just as Millie arrives, I’m getting to the refrigerator. Growing up, I was responsible for my fair share of chores, and it’s physically painful for me to take a milk carton and throw it on the ground, letting the milk spill out everywhere. But I force myself. Means to an end. When Millie enters the kitchen, I turn around and look at her accusingly.
This is so sad
He’s attracted to her because I’m turning her into the victim.
When the GPS tracker on Millie’s phone registers that she’s in Manhattan that night, I know I’ve won. I see the way they look at each other after that. It’s over. He’s in love with her now. He’s her problem. I’m free.
Im so sick for her
He nods slowly. “It was my pleasure to help you, Nina. My duty. I…” We stand there for a moment, staring at each other. Then he leans forward, and a second later, he’s kissing me.
WAIT AWWWEEEE
“All right, I’ve got the books on top of me. Can you let me out now?” “You don’t have the books on top of you.” “Yes, I do.” “Don’t lie.” I let out a huff of exasperation. “How do you know whether I’m lying or not?” “Because I can see you.”
Ew
I’ve already been a prisoner once—I won’t let it happen again. No way. So I reach into the pocket of my jeans. And I pull out the bottle of pepper spray I found in the bucket.
YUUUUUP
I hired her to kill him. She just doesn’t know it.
Period
My legs are wobbly when I stand up, but they work. Andrew is still writhing on the cot, and before he can get his sight back, I slip out of the room and close the door behind me. Then I take the key Nina gave me and fit it into the lock. I turn the key and pocket it. Then I take a step back.
YEEESSSSSS
“I’ll let you out,” I say. “Just not yet.”
HAHAHAAHAA KARMA IS A BITCHHHHH
“Millie,” he says in a slow, controlled voice. “I want my phone back.” I let out a hoarse laugh. “I’m sure you do.” “Millie, give me my phone back right now.” “Hmm. I don’t think you’re in any position to be making demands.” “Millie.” “Just a moment.” I slip his phone into my pocket. “I’m going to grab a bite to eat. I’ll be back real soon.” “Millie!”
PERIOD GIRL CORE
“Will you let me out now?” “Yes. I will.” “Thank you.” “Just not yet.” He inhales sharply. “Millie…” “I’m going to let you out.” My calm voice belies the pounding in my chest. “But before I do, you have to be punished for what you did to me.” “Don’t play this game,” he growls. “You don’t have the stomach for it.”
He met his match
He has no idea this is just the beginning.
Good
I dig the key to the attic door out of my purse. I fit the key into the lock and let the door swing open.
NOOOOOOOOO OHMYGODOHMYGOD
“If you ask me,” he says, “that attic is a hazard. Seems like it’s far too easy to get locked up there.” He leans back again, his voice returning to a normal volume. “It’s a shame that happened to your husband. I’m sure my buddy in the coroner’s office will also agree. It’ll have to be a cautionary tale, won’t it?”
OMG PERIODDDDDD
I’m not going to walk out of here in handcuffs after all.
ITS TIME TO CELEBRATE
“If you don’t take care of your teeth,” she continues, “then you lose the privilege to have teeth.” “Evelyn?” “Andy knew that. He knew that was my rule.” She lifts her eyes. “When I pulled out one of his baby teeth with pliers, I thought he understood.” I stare at her, too afraid to speak. Too afraid of the next words that will leave her mouth. And when they finally come, it takes my breath away: “It’s such a shame,” she says, “that he never really learned. I’m glad you stepped up and taught him a lesson.”
My God
My heart pounds enough that I feel dizzy. And now I finally get it. I understand why Nina recommended me so highly to this woman. She knows me. Maybe even better than I know myself. “So”—Lisa slides the knife back into the wooden block and straightens up, her blue eyes wide and anxious—“can you help me, Millie?” “Yes,” I say. “I believe I can.”
LOL shes legit just gonna go around killing fuckass men period
