CH.97

Suddenly, a violent pounding on the front door made them both start.

"Emmeline! What's going on in there? Open this door right now!" Minnie's panicked voice rang from outside the door.

A surge of hope flooded Emmeline's battered body.

"Richard, open this door immediately or I'm calling the police!" Minnie yelled once more.

Richard paused in his brutal assault, glaring up at the door with displeasure etched on his features.

"What the hell is this inconvenience? Can't a man discipline his own wife without being interrupted by busybodies?" he snarled under his breath, setting his sights back on the cowering form of Emmeline and pressed his index finger to his lips in a threatening gesture.

"Not a sound out of you. I don't want to hear your voice. I'll send the interloper away and then come back to finish with you," he warned in a low, menacing tone.

However, the pounding on the door grew so forceful followed by the frantic ringing of the bell over and over.

"I'll give you three seconds t