Chapter 42

Naomi returns upstairs, selects sharp boning shears, and goes back to the dim cellar where Veronica lies bound and gagged. Seeing Veronica wake and panic, Naomi abandons any notion of bargaining and decides to make Veronica “care” about the damage done to her life.

Driven by resentment over Veronica’s beauty and perceived opportunism, Naomi threatens her with the scissors and begins cutting Veronica’s hair. Despite Veronica’s muffled screams and attempts to squirm away, Naomi forces her to hold still, hacking off large locks and even nicking her skin. When finished, Naomi observes that Veronica is still attractive enough to keep Jeremy’s interest, leaving Naomi unsatisfied and needing a new plan.

Naomi leaves Veronica sobbing and restrained in a pile of hair and goes upstairs. A text on Veronica’s phone, not from Jeremy but from someone named Lola, prompts Naomi to scroll recent messages. She finds a short thread confirming a positive test result.

Realizing the test indicates pregnancy, Naomi concludes Veronica will not leave Jeremy now. This revelation crushes Naomi’s hope of luring Veronica away and deepens the threat to Naomi’s marriage and custody battle.