Chapter One: The Man With A Cold Soul

One piece of hardcore evidence is hard to prove, especially when the criminal mastermind can manipulate anything he touches. He's known by the name untouchable. Which means nothing can touch him or penalize him. Not even his men. He's the boss. He has one agenda and one only. He's in control. His wife can't do a thing to stop him. If she does cross him, she'll have consequences. She must obey or she'll seek higher punishment.

Who's this man you say, well interesting question. He's the most powerful man known to mind. He goes by the well-known name, Hiram Lodge. And this man shouldn't be crossed. If been crossed there will be strict and harsh consequences. He's dangerous and has many enemies. Well of course he does. He don't like conflict, that's a lie. A flat ass lie if I say. For one he's not easy going. His punishments are brutal and again may I add. Never cross him, unless well if you have a death wish. He gifts his family like a royal posssion, of course he can't have his family strolling around down in delinquent kind of scum that beggars wear. Lord that's pagan and he won't allow any of that. Nor will he tolerate that kind. He's rich, wealthy and he sure won't let that lie on his family's shoulders, no soey.

Now for the copo wife. Her story is much more less what do you say complex. Unlike her husband, Hermione Lodge grew up with a unlucky lifestyle or filthy style her husband would say. 'My wife won't associate with that filth' she had to succumbed to his rules and his only. She knew what she was getting into. But unaware how her life would soon be his to control. Hermione acted like she could handle herself. She moved away from her hometown, friends and a once love. She had their daughter, her joy and sometimes a little rich brat. She wouldn't trade anything for Veronica Cecelia Lodge. Her Mjia ruled her heart. Not even her husband, Hiram could rule that from her.

Her daughter respected her like no one ever had. Hermione didn't get respect from her own husband. But there's more to the story. More than the mansion walls will allow to leave their quarters. And respect to the king of the mansion was obeyed or else. And trust me you don't ever disrespect the king of the mansion. You'll live to regret it, and again trust me on this. Stay aware and obey his laws.

In the quiet kitchen, Hermione sipped her mimosa in her left hand, looking achingly at the morning paper. Today her husband will be home. She hated when he was home. Don't get her wrong, she hated her reasons. Very righteous given reasons.

She heard a door creak open. "Mom, is he back yet?" The voice of Veronica whispers as she emerges from behind the white door.

Hermione's eyes shifted toward the white door and found her daughter's trembling lip. A shiver rolled down her spine as she took a quick guard glance at her daughter. It was costly, and she knew she couldn't afford to let her shield fray.

"Mjia, yes. Your father is coming from prison." The room filled with necessary fear. All she wanted to do was comfort her daughter. But she had to stay obedient to her customs.

Veronica's lip quivered, before she shook the scared look off her face and place the facade on again. "Okay." She mumbled softly. Then she presses her lips together for a smile to appear. "I'll get his stuff all ready." She stated before she walked off.

After her daughter disappeared, Hermione continued sipping at her glass and occasially getting refills from Smithers, their butler and her husband's chauffeur. Mostly Smithers feared the man. She couldn't blame the guy. Nobody crossed his path on a free pass. They're always consequences.

"Another glass, Ms. Lodge?" Her eyes shifted again. Smither stood by her, smiling like he usual. He loved being kindness to her and Veronica. He hated seeing the pain they witness and as a friend, he despises his boss. Only willingly obeys for a couple reasons.

One he fears the man and two he doesn't want to cause any trouble for the Lodge women. He knows Hiram's corporate punishment and again only wants to be loyal toward Hermione and of course sweet Veronica.

"No, I'm good, Smithers. But thank you for you're generosity." He smiled politely at her before grabbing the glass and slipping a note under her glass plate.

She waited until she was alone before she unraveled the paper with such delicacy. The sweet note made her smile appear and she laughed. Smithers always has a great sense a humor.

Ms. lodge, Stay strong. Also don't forget the cholesterol checks up I've been telling you to go to. And madame, You're the best boss ever -Your Butler, Smithers (Ps. hide from Mr. Lodge)

The smile whipped off quick. She remembered that he's coming home. Fear shoots through her body and resentment takes a residency instead. All she wanted was something for her own. Is that too much to ask, apparently it was too much in any level for asking. Especially her husband's.

Xxxxxxx

At four-twelve P.M, The man walked through the door. The French styled doors waved back as he strolled in. He expected a warming welcoming. Instead he found a quiet room and he didn't like that. No not at all. He entered the hallway with a cold touch lingered behind him.

"Mjia? mi mujer?" He called from the hallway. He heard chairs shift and small voices.

Appeared, Veronica, his daddy's girl. Veronica forced a smile as she greeted her father. She didn't want to be home. All she wanted to do was leave and be in Archie's arms. Her boyfriend, she met a year ago. When she was required to move to Riverdale with her mother.

"Hi dad." She whispers softly as her heart dropped slowly against her chest. Once she saw his face. She quickly corrected herself. "Oh sorry, Daddy. It must've slipped my silly brain of mine." She lied before she closed the gap with a unwilling hug.

And she was well aware of the consequences. She turned her eyes inward toward her mother, who wobbled back her fear in her eyes. She could see the tears forming in her brown eyes and only feared for what was next on her Daddy's agenda.

"Welcome home, Hiram." Hermione noted with slight anger emerging on accident. She quickly gasps with a hand on her mouth as a fist knocked her place.

Hiram's features grew cold." Again!" He screamed at her. Hermione's face slowly was coated with salty tears. This was her punishment and she'll fully accept her responsibility for her mistake. "I said again, Puta!" He seethed angrily, fear fully exposed just like he liked it.

Hermione got down on her knees, pleading for his forgiveness."I'm sorry, Hiram. I won't make the mistake again."

He stood tall," Good. Now up!" He marched orders. And then he turned toward his daughter, rage shown in his cold eyes. "You owe me." She shook her head at her father.

"No." She simply said," I said no I don't owe you. You haven't been here, Daddy. I have. We were doing amazing without ordering us around. Now we run things and that's how it should've been, Daddy!"Hiram's eyes turned murderous in a single breath.

Before she knew, Her father's fist let it's mark like it or not. She tried to shield her face from the blow but it was no use. No pleads would save her now.

"Hiram no!" Hermione screamed as she tried to pull him off her. "Leave her be! She's our daughter!" He grabbed her by her hair and threw to the ground.

He turned around and faced Hermione," That girl isn't my daughter. She's a disrespectful brat and she needs to be punished!" Hermione watched the agonizing torture as her daughter's once beautiful eyes turned black and her makeup smeared down her cheeks.

She felt helpless and she never hated herself more than ever. She felt like a prisoner and his servant. All the staff knew about what happened behind the close mansion walls but all were scared for their lives if they ever told a soul. Hiram has killed a maid that tried to save them from the abuse. He forced Hermione and Veronica to bury the body and then continued to beat them without any sense of remorse. Smithers even got two broken ribs for giving them a heads up and ever since then he won't utter a word when Hiram's home unless he's told to or if he's not home. Those are his happy times and he desires that like no tomorrow.

Eventually Hiram grows tired and drops his fist and let's Veronica's body fall to the ground without a care. He grabs his coat and slams the door behind him. Hermione briskly comes to her rescue and gently commands Smithers to grab some ice from the freezer and he comes back with a small ice pack. Fears written on his face and this wasn't the first time he wanted to quit but he couldn't or he won't leave them. He would rather die a hero than walk away like a coward.

"Oh baby!" Hermione cries as she situated on her lap. Tears just stream down her cheeks as her daughter thrashes against her. "Shh, Mjia... he's gone." She hushes calmly as she brushes her fingers through her daughter's raven curls.

Veronica moans in tremendous pain as all her bones began to break inside her body. She'd beaten by the man many times, more than she could possibly count on her fingers or even toes. But she's never stood up to her father before. And what he did scared her more than anything. She crossed the king and she received heavy punishment. She's lucky he didn't kill her. Even though she's pretty well aware he just wants them dead to begin with.

Later she awoke late that night. Her mother's puffy eyes looking loopy as she stared down at her. Hermione didn't sleep. She couldn't, not after what happened. She wanted to escape but she couldn't. She was trapped. There was no way out. She was stuck in his grimy hands for entirety.

"Mom?" Her daughter mumbles, Hermione swallows the lump down her throat and opens her mouth.

"Oh... Mjia, you're okay." Tears appeared in her eyes. Veronica's lips trembled again. "Why did you do that? He hurt you. You could've died." She exclaims as more tears sting her blood shot eyes.

Veronica fries sitting up in bed but it's not use. She huffs out loudly and looks up at her mother's broken eyes. "I did it for you, mama. He treats you like shit. You deserve better than that, Mama." She cupped her cheeks with her bruised hands. She was sore from head to toe and it was going to be another makeup day again. She loved the months away from her abusive father and she only wished for more.

That brought more tears to cascaded off her facade features and she pulled her daughter into a bone-crushing hug. She just started sobbing."Oh Veronica." Her throat erupted with sobs.

Tomorrow was a new day. Well not a new day. The same old abuse with continue until the day it kills her or she gets to kill him. She doesn't know when that will be and she also might not be alive to find out. She wanted to keep her daughter save. She thought sending Veronica away to another family member but she feared it would get her killed.

Nobody sees behind the crystallized walls. Every day Hermione lives a life filled with countless lies and no voice. She doesn't know how much longer she can handle her life. Her mansion only hides her fears for so, before they'll start to haunt her.