Source...
Numb, Daniela watched as Lyle stared first at the phone. "You're not going to answer that?" she asked. He smiled, then deliberately switched his stare to the blood spatter trail, tracing it up the stairs.
"You've been to the attic?" His question more of a statement. "No wonder you had an accident. Didn't you learn anything." He stressed, "it's not safe? That's why I locked it. For your protection." He paused as if a light bulb activated, "did you find anything useful?"
He didn't give her a chance to answer, but continued to calmly wipe the dried blood, avoiding her gaze between dabs. "Luckily you won't need stitches. That'll take some explaining at the hospital. One look at your head, and I'm a suspect." His head leaned sideways.
Her head ached with confusion. Trembling, she thought, this is how abuse victims are silenced.
It was his next words that stabbed a hole in her heart. "I knew the moment I saw you sitting at the bar how pathetic a woman you were!" his voice deep with contempt. And something else she felt. Resentment.
Her eyes widened, fear replacing suspicion. This wasn't the Lyle she'd married.
"If I'm so pathetic, then why did you go to the trouble of marrying "me?" she blurted.
"Necessary." His voice was as calm as his mannerisms. As though she couldn't be shocked even more, he stated slowly, "You know, Daniela, you really should take time to know someone before you enter into a marriage contract!"
Daniela swooned, but not from loving whispers.
She recovered. At that moment, adrenaline rushed forward. She grabbed first a glass, then a figurine on the coffee table. Anything that could hurt. Hurling each at Lyle, he ducked, avoiding them.
She reached for the alcohol in the first aid kit. Tossing contents in his face, he staggered backward.
Now was her only chance. The locked front door wasn't an option.
Daniela started up the stairs. She didn't look back; just heard Lyle's footsteps behind her. She glanced backward briefly, enough to slow her ascent. He grabbed her left leg. With the right one, she kicked him hard in the face. Instantly, he released it.
She climbed to the top on her hands and knees. Stumbling, she didn't know which direction to go, so headed to the bedroom.
"Daniela, unlock the door!" he shouted. "I'm giving you one last chance, as a courtesy. You've worked yourself up in to a frenzy. All for nothing." She could no longer hear anything but the threat of dying at the hands of that maniac.
Five minutes passed before Lyle's arm reared back, then swung the hammer forward with a force that shattered the door. His intentions to harm were reinforced.
Inside, Lyle bared his teeth, then clenched his jaw. All sympathy for Daniela drained along with his patience. Closing his eyes, he heaved heavily before lunging at her, but caught only the edge of her dress.
As she jerked the dress from his hand, he fell face first on the carpet, a piece of her dress in his hands. Ensuite and lock the door. No. He'd only knock it down.
At that moment, she knew her home was no longer safe. Screaming wouldn't help. The only option; get outside to her neighbor, Walter. Searching frantically around the room, she grabbed her lamp from the nightstand.
Several times she hit Lyle on the back of the head. He lay motionless. She dashed from the room, down the stairs, and ran toward the front door.
"Where are you going, darling?" Daniela heard from behind. She drew a sharp breath, paused, and turned to face him. She knew she should keep running, but his voice shocked her. It couldn't be, I killed him.
She pleaded, "Lyle, please, don't hurt me. I won't tell anyone about your business."
"What makes you think I'd hurt my wife. I love you." He stood silent for a long second. "Besides, you don't know anything about my business, so who would you tell?" All this he stated while now wiping blood from the back of his head.
Lyle moved to block the front door.
She made quiet sound of helplessness as she searched for a way around him. Then she noticed him swaying as thought dazed and about to faint. A fleeting option opened up. Her eyes divulged her thoughts. I didn't survive thus far to surrender now. She heaved heavily before barreling into him, pushing with both hands. It was enough to knock him to the floor. Immediately, she ran to the front door, fumbled with the lock until it opened, then bolted outside.
This time, she didn't look back, but stumbled ahead. Near the hedges, she fell headfirst into Olivia's arms.
Now, Part 9:
"If you value your life, keep quiet." Olivia placed her finger to Daniela's mouth, pulled out tape and covered it, then locked her arm into hers, and dragged her away from the front door.
Try as she could, Daniela couldn't wiggle free from her grasp.
Olivia pressed Daniela against the side of the house and handcuffed her to the extruded pipe, then moved in front. She felt imprisoned by not only the handcuffs, but the fear of two criminals who wanted her dead.
Frightened, Daniela drew a sharp breath as Olivia pulled out her weapon. Expecting to not be alive the next moment, she closed her eyes. Running from one maniac into the hands of another, she thought. Daddy, if you ever loved me, please come! she prayed.
It seemed like a lifetime, but only a few moment before she realized a shot rang out. Her eyes flew open. Thank God. But still helpless to even move or scream, she turned away, but glanced back in time to see Lyle rush toward Olivia.
Daniela's eyes darted between Lyle and Olivia's struggle for her gun. Moments later, he stood over Olivia. One strike, and she fell to the ground.
What twisted turn of events. Olivia and Lyle at odds! Daniela's loyalty immediately shifted to the person who at least on the surface was in her favor. Finished with Olivia, he assumed, Lyle jerked his head in her direction, quickly assessing her dilemma. An evil smile tiptoed across his face.
Inches away, Lyle fell forward right into her face before falling into the grass. Behind him, Olivia stood, her shoulders heaving, with crimson streaming down her face.
She dropped the weapon and walked calmly over to Daniela, released the handcuffs, then removed the tape. From behind the house, she held Daniela up until they rounded the corner.
To her surprise, Walter stood with his weapon in his hand pointed at them. From his front window, he witnessed Lyle running from the house toward the back yard. He didn't know it then when he saw Olivia arrive that she was there to help.
Sirens screamed in the background. Dazed, Daniela didn't see her father and brother arrive and race toward her, snatching her out of Olivia's reach.
"No! No!" Daniela whispered. "She saved my life."
Another few moments, and the police joined them in several squads of cars. An ambulance arrived shortly thereafter.
The quiet neighborhood with its exquisite, canopy-forming oak trees lining the street where Lyle and Daniela resided wasn't the topic of conversation on that late summer afternoon as a cool breeze warned of the season's change.
Instead, neighbors, police vehicles, and an ambulance in front of their home filled the quaint street. And all this took place in broad daylight before noon.
Several drops of rain fell gently on the street and sidewalks. Those watching in the distance paid no attention as they disbursed into small groups and continued to dissect the morning's saga that interrupted their daily schedules.
Opposite the Reddingham's home, a short, heavily built man concealed himself behind those who'd gathered to witness events. He overhead a few conversations in which people referred to matter as "the husband's takedown". The motive. Uncertain.
Parting the crowd, he scrutinized the scene across the street. He shook his head. Familiar.
Frowning, Jesus reached inside his pocket.
"Got bad news on two fronts. Seems your favorite liaison met an unfortunate end. I knew he was lying when he assured us he'd handle the situation. Seems like the situation handled him. And that bitch he was shacking up with in midtown. Narc. At least you won't have to worry about him exposing our entire operation. However, I think it's best you relocate immediately from the waterfront."
Sirens swirled again as a second ambulance arrived.
Jesus watched as officers made their way across the street. Interrogating witnesses, he knew, so he quickly pivoted toward the rear of the crowd, then walked briskly without looking back toward to his car.
Paramedics loaded Lyle into the back of one ambulance and shut the door. With her father's arms around her, Daniela stood watching, tears streaming down her cheek. Neighbors refused to leave the scene waiting for answers.
As the ambulance drove away in silence, the second one hosted Olivia and Daniela and headed to the hospital for medical attention.
Another vehicle cranked its engine, then drove in the opposite direction, following Jesus.
[to be continued]
For my theme, I was inspired by and utilized the 
14 March 2026, Freewriters Community Daily Writing Prompt Day 3042: can’t find the evidence
5 January 2026, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2973: has no heart;
4 January 2026, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2972: reinforced;
3 January 2026, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2971: can’t overlook that;
1 January 2026, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2969: what an appearance!;
22 December 2025, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2959: the last date; and
21 December 2025, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2958: the secret in the attic
Source...
Por el amor del matrimonio (Parte 9)
«Si te importa la vida, no digas nada». Olivia le puso un dedo en la boca a Daniela, sacó cinta adhesiva y se la tapó, luego le agarró el brazo con fuerza y la arrastró lejos de la puerta principal.
Por más que lo intentara, Daniela no conseguía zafarse de su agarre.
Olivia empujó a Daniela contra la pared de la casa y la esposó al tubo saliente, y luego se colocó delante de ella. Se sentía prisionera no solo por las esposas, sino también por el miedo a dos criminales que la querían muerta.
Aterrorizada, Daniela contuvo el aliento cuando Olivia sacó su arma. Esperando no seguir viva al momento siguiente, cerró los ojos. «Huyendo de un maníaco para caer en manos de otro», pensó. «Papá, si alguna vez me quisiste, ¡por favor, ven!», rezó.
Le pareció una eternidad, pero solo unos instantes antes de que se diera cuenta de que se había producido un disparo. Abrió los ojos de golpe. Gracias a Dios. Pero, aún incapaz de moverse o gritar, se dio la vuelta, aunque miró hacia atrás a tiempo para ver a Lyle correr hacia Olivia.
Los ojos de Daniela se movían rápidamente entre Lyle y Olivia, que forcejeaban por el arma. Momentos después, él se alzó sobre Olivia. Un golpe, y ella cayó al suelo.
¡Qué giro tan inesperado de los acontecimientos! ¡Olivia y Lyle enfrentados! La lealtad de Daniela se decantó de inmediato hacia la persona que, al menos en apariencia, estaba de su lado. Suponiendo que ya había acabado con Olivia, Lyle giró bruscamente la cabeza hacia ella, evaluando rápidamente su dilema. Una sonrisa maliciosa se dibujó en su rostro.
A pocos centímetros de distancia, Lyle se abalanzó hacia delante, justo contra su cara, antes de caer sobre la hierba. Detrás de él, Olivia permanecía de pie, con los hombros agitados y el rostro bañado en lágrimas.
Dejó caer el arma y se acercó con calma a Daniela, le quitó las esposas y luego le retiró la cinta adhesiva. Desde detrás de la casa, sujetó a Daniela hasta que doblaron la esquina.
Para su sorpresa, Walter estaba allí, con el arma en la mano apuntándoles. Desde la ventana delantera, había visto a Lyle salir corriendo de la casa hacia el patio trasero. Cuando vio llegar a Olivia, no sabía que había ido a ayudar.
Las sirenas aullaban de fondo. Aturdida, Daniela no vio llegar a su padre y a su hermano, que corrieron hacia ella y la arrancaron de las manos de Olivia.
«¡No! ¡No!», susurró Daniela. «Ella me ha salvado la vida».
Unos instantes más tarde, la policía se unió a ellos con varias patrullas. Poco después llegó una ambulancia.
El tranquilo barrio, con sus exquisitos robles que formaban una bóveda sobre la calle donde vivían Lyle y Daniela, no era el tema de conversación aquella tarde de finales de verano, mientras una brisa fresca anunciaba el cambio de estación.
En cambio, la pintoresca calle se llenó de vecinos, coches de policía y una ambulancia frente a su casa. Y todo esto ocurrió a plena luz del día, antes del mediodía.
Varias gotas de lluvia caían suavemente sobre la calle y las aceras. Los que observaban desde la distancia no prestaron atención, ya que se dispersaron en pequeños grupos y siguieron analizando la saga matutina que había interrumpido sus rutinas diarias.
Frente a la casa de los Reddingham, un hombre bajito y corpulento se ocultaba tras quienes se habían reunido para presenciar los acontecimientos. Escuchó algunas conversaciones en las que la gente se refería al asunto como «el derribo del marido». El motivo. Incierto.
Abreándose paso entre la multitud, escrutó la escena al otro lado de la calle. Sacudió la cabeza. Le resultaba familiar.
Frunciendo el ceño, Jesús metió la mano en el bolsillo.
«Tengo malas noticias por dos frentes. Parece que tu enlace favorito ha tenido un final desafortunado. Sabía que mentía cuando nos aseguró que se encargaría de la situación. Parece que la situación se encargó de él. Y esa zorra con la que se había liado en el centro. Chivata. Al menos no tendrás que preocuparte de que él delate toda nuestra operación. No consigue encontrar las pruebas. Sin embargo, creo que es mejor que te mudes inmediatamente de la zona del puerto».
Las sirenas volvieron a sonar cuando llegó una segunda ambulancia.
Jesús observó cómo los agentes cruzaban la calle. Sabía que iban a interrogar a los testigos, así que se giró rápidamente hacia la parte trasera de la multitud y caminó a paso ligero, sin mirar atrás, hacia su coche.
Los paramédicos subieron a Lyle a la parte trasera de una ambulancia y cerraron la puerta. Abrazada a su padre, Daniela se quedó mirando, con lágrimas resbalándole por las mejillas. Los vecinos se negaron a abandonar el lugar, esperando respuestas.
Mientras la ambulancia se alejaba en silencio, la segunda recogió a Olivia y a Daniela y se dirigió al hospital para que recibieran atención médica.
Otro vehículo arrancó el motor y se alejó en dirección contraria, siguiendo a Jesús.
[continuará]
Para mi tema, me inspiré y utilicé la publicación de
5 January 2026, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2973: has no heart;
4 January 2026, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2972: reinforced;
3 January 2026, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2971: can’t overlook that;
1 January 2026, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2969: what an appearance!;
22 December 2025, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2959: the last date; y
21 December 2025, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2958: the secret in the attic
SOURCES:
a) JustClickindiva's Footer created in Canva utilizing its free background and images used with permission from discord admins.
b) Unless otherwise noted, all photos taken by me with my (i) Samsung Galaxy 10" Tablet, (ii) Samsung Phone, & (iii) FUJI FinePix S3380 - 14 Mega Pixels Digital Camera
c) Purple Butterfly part of purchased set of Spiritual Clip Art for my Personal Use
d) All Community logos, banners, page dividers used with permission of Discord Channel admins.
e) Ladies of Hive banner used with permission of and in accordance with the admin's guidelines
f) Thumbnail Image created by me in Canva.
g) "Flames." What is Apophysis 2.09. https://flam3.com/
If translation included, I use DeepL to assist my readers.
Thanks for your patience an understanding.
Si se incluye traducción, utilizo DeepL para ayudar a mis lectores.
Gracias por su paciencia y comprensión.