Outside the house, James was extremely worried for Bella and banged on the door with more and more strength.
“Bella! Are you okay?!”
But Bella couldn’t answer him as Vera was covering her mouth.
James knew instinctively that Bella was in danger so he had no problem in booting down her front door. He kicked out hard and the door came right off the hinges, splintering in two.
He raced into the living room and found Vera standing over Bella, striking her over and over with vicious elbows.
James strode forward and shouted angrily, “Vera, what the hell are you doing?” Just as he was about to rescue Bella, Vera produced a knife from her back pocket and held it to Bella’s throat. “Don’t come any closer,” she screamed.
James didn’t dare go forward. “OK Vera, just calm down.”
Vera held Bella
