Filed to story: The Daughter in the Shadows (Yunice) Book by Una Norris
Elsie immediately collapsed into his arms, sobbing. She cried that Peggy had been hitting her in the stomach, saying it wouldn’t leave bruises-so even if she died, no one would be able to prove it.
Owen glared daggers at Peggy, then gently lifted Elsie into his arms. “Don’t be scared. I’ll take you to the hospital.”
Elsie, still weak and trembling, leaned against him and whimpered, “Owen… how much longer do we have to live like this? Can’t you divorce her…”
She broke down in sobs before she could finish.
Owen’s heart ached. He blamed himself. His uselessness had dragged his whole family into this mess.
Red-eyed, he carried Elsie out without sparing Yunice a single glance.
But from the crook of Owen’s arm, Elsie peeked back and flashed Yunice a smug, mocking smile.
It didn’t matter how hard Yunice tried-whether she raged or begged-Owen would never spare her even a scrap of sympathy.
Yunice caught the look and curled her lip in disdain.
Did she really think that would hurt her?
No love means no weakness. No feelings means no leverage. Yunice had long stopped caring about these irrelevant people.
Lily grabbed her phone and followed after Owen.
The family trailed after Elsie once again.
Yunice stayed where she was, thinking back to the way Lily had grabbed her phone just now.
Something felt off.
Normally, when someone isn’t using their phone, they lay it flat. But Lily had placed it on its side-camera facing outward.
Could it be…
Peggy strolled out of the kitchen, arms crossed, scoffing. “That family is seriously messed up.”
She hadn’t laid a finger on Elsie-just tied her up. But Elsie’s dramatics were Oscar-worthy.
Peggy sat down and glanced toward the cramped little servant’s room. “You really had it rough in this house, huh…”
She gave a rare, sincere look. “I feel for you. From now on, I’m on your side. I’ll help you deal with them.”
Yunice’s face stayed blank. She wasn’t about to be fooled by Peggy’s sudden warmth.
Wolves don’t turn into housecats overnight. This was about leverage-nothing more. Once Peggy was done with the Saunders family, she’d turn on Yunice next.
But for now, as long as Peggy was busy tearing into them, Yunice didn’t need to lift a finger. Peggy would protect her all on her own.
After Peggy declared her loyalty, she noticed Yunice hadn’t responded at all.
Turning to look, she saw Yunice fiddling with her phone. The screen was playing security footage from the Saunders family’s living room.
Peggy leaned over. “What are you watching?”
Yunice casually scrubbed the video back to the moment Owen was slapping himself. Peggy didn’t suspect a thing. Instead, she smirked, “Didn’t think you had it in you. You really went hard.”
Yunice replied, “I’m not cruel. Owen’s just too in love.”
Peggy’s face darkened. She was Owen’s wife, yet his heart was all tied up with Elsie.
“That little witch… I’ll tame her one day.”
Yunice glanced at her phone again-Wyatt’s car was almost there. She stood up. “I’m leaving.”
“Hey, I thought you said your husband was picking you up?”
Yunice looked over her shoulder. “Why so interested in my husband?”
“Don’t follow me.”
Peggy stopped in her tracks with a pout, muttering, “Geez, we’re practically family now. Why so uptight? What, is your husband too ugly to show in public? Some bald old geezer?”
Yunice didn’t turn back, but her voice drifted through the air. “My husband’s ten times better-looking than yours.”
Peggy was speechless.
Outside the wrought-iron gates of the Saunders estate, Wyatt’s car pulled up just as Yunice stepped out.
Through the car window, he saw the breeze lifting the hem of her dress. His gaze trailed upward until her delicate face came into view under the warm glow of the streetlamp.
As she approached, Wyatt stepped out of the car. His long legs immediately caught Yunice’s eye.
He really did have a nice build.
Bet he’d look amazing in a lab coat too.
“What are you doing out here?”
Wyatt naturally took her hand into his, warm and firm.
“Waiting for you,” Yunice said.
“You couldn’t wait inside? Did someone give you a hard time?”
“Even a dog watches who it bites. With you around, they wouldn’t dare.”
“Dog, huh?” Wyatt lifted his eyes, looking at her. “So are you saying our relationship is boss and subordinate? Or that I’m your shield?”
“You should see me as your husband-someone who loves you. Not just a weapon you lean on.”
Yunice listened quietly. But inside, her thoughts churned. She was just a stand-in. Wyatt’s heart belonged to another woman. How was she supposed to see him as a real husband?
She couldn’t lie to herself. So she answered honestly, “Then give me some time. Let me get used to this… relationship.”
Wyatt was silent for a few seconds. Then he raised an eyebrow. “Fine. Take your time. I’ll wait-until you see me as your husband.”
Yunice avoided his gaze and said instead, “Let’s go home.”
Back at the Saunders house, Peggy crouched in front of the surveillance monitor.
She gleefully clicked to view the footage outside the gate, determined to finally see Yunice’s mystery man.
Sure enough, the screen showed a sleek Maybach pulling up beside Yunice.
As the car stopped, the door opened from inside.
Peggy leaned closer, practically glued to the screen in anticipation.
He’s getting out… finally!
Let’s see just how handsome this mystery man really is…
“Ahhh!”