The smell hit me first.

Sharp.

Rotten.

Like something had been closed off for far too long.

My stomach twisted.

“Grace… stay back,” I said, my voice shaking.

But she just smiled.

“Mom’s down there,” she said sweetly.

My heart started racing.

I stepped inside.

The basement was dim, lit only by a small bulb hanging from the ceiling.

Dust floated in the air.

And then I saw it.

A bed.

A small table.

And someone sitting there.

My breath caught in my throat.

A woman.

Thin.

Pale.

Her hair long and unkempt.

She slowly lifted her head.

And looked straight at me.

I stumbled backward.

“Who… who are you?” I whispered.

Her lips trembled.

Then she spoke.

“I was wondering when he’d finally let someone else see me.”

My world shattered.

Grace stepped forward happily.

“See? I told you! That’s my mom!”

I felt like I couldn’t breathe.

“No…” I whispered. “That’s not possible. Daniel said—”

“Daniel lies,” the woman said quietly.

My hands started shaking.

“What is going on?” I asked.

The woman slowly stood up, gripping the edge of the table for support.

“He told you I died, didn’t he?” she asked.

I nodded, barely able to think.

She let out a weak laugh.

“Car accident?” she added.

I froze.

“How did you—”

“Because that’s what he tells everyone,” she said.

The room spun.

“Why are you here?” I asked.

Her eyes filled with tears.

“Because I tried to leave him,” she whispered.

A cold chill ran down my spine.

“And he couldn’t let that happen.”

My heart pounded so loudly I thought I might faint.

“You’re saying… he’s been keeping you here?” I asked.

She nodded slowly.

“For three years.”

I looked at Grace.

Then Emily, who had quietly come to the doorway.

They didn’t look scared.

They looked… normal.

Used to this.

My stomach dropped.

“He told them I live here,” she said softly. “That this is where I stay.”

I felt sick.

“He lets them visit me sometimes,” she added. “When he’s in a good mood.”

The world didn’t make sense anymore.

Footsteps suddenly echoed from upstairs.

The front door.

Opening.

My blood ran cold.

“He’s home early,” I whispered.

The woman’s face went pale.

“You need to leave,” she said urgently.

But it was too late.

Heavy footsteps moved toward the basement door.

Then—

His voice.

“Grace? Emily? Where are you?”

I couldn’t move.

I couldn’t think.

Because in that moment…

I realized the man I had married…

Was someone I didn’t know at all.