chapter 8: A Birthday Surprise

From early morning, people had been moving in and out of the compound, carrying flowers, decorations, food, drinks, and beautifully wrapped gifts. The garden had been transformed with rows of white flowers and elegant lights hanging from the trees. Tables covered in crisp white cloth had been arranged across the lawn, while a large stage stood at the far end with Adrian's name written across a golden backdrop.

Inside, the house was equally impressive. Crystal glasses sparkled beneath the chandeliers, fresh flowers filled almost every corner, and soft music played through the speakers as staff hurried around preparing for the guests.

Vivian had clearly spared no expense. She wanted everything to be perfect for Adrian.

I spent most of the afternoon moving between the kitchen and the dining area, following every instruction she threw at me. She had been particularly difficult all day, finding fault with almost everything I did.

“Mia, those glasses are not arranged properly.”

“Mia, take these upstairs.”

“Mia, go and check the flowers.”

“Mia, hurry up.”

I obeyed every order without complaint.

By evening, the first guests began arriving.

Luxury cars filled the driveway, and men in expensive suits and women dressed in elegant gowns stepped into the house. Laughter and music filled the compound as everyone gathered to celebrate Adrian.

I stayed upstairs until Vivian came looking for me.

“Mia!”

I turned. “Yes, ma'am?”

She looked me over with obvious impatience.

“Go downstairs and start helping with the guests. Don't just stand around looking useless.”

“Yes, ma'am.”

She walked away.

I waited until she disappeared before taking a deep breath. Then I looked at myself in the mirror.

For tonight, I had decided not to look like an ordinary maid. I wore a short, elegant black dress that fitted my figure beautifully without looking inappropriate. My hair was styled neatly, and I added simple jewelry and a pair of heels.

I knew exactly what I was doing. When I stepped out of the room and walked downstairs, several conversations suddenly became quieter.

Heads turned. One guest looked at me, then looked toward Adrian.

Another woman leaned toward the man beside her and whispered something. I continued walking as though I hadn't noticed.

Then I heard someone say, “Who is she?”

“I don't know.”

“Is that Adrian's wife?”

I almost stopped.

Another guest laughed softly.

“I thought Vivian was his wife.”

“So did I.”

My lips almost curved into a smile. Apparently, I had created exactly the confusion I wanted. I walked into the main room carrying a tray of drinks, keeping my expression composed.

A few more guests stared at me.

One elderly woman stopped me. “Excuse me, dear.”

I turned.

“Yes, ma'am?”

She smiled warmly. “You look beautiful. I don't believe we've met before.”

I lowered my head politely.

“Thank you.”

“Are you a relative of Adrian's?”

Before I could answer, I heard footsteps behind me.

I turned. Adrian was standing several feet away.

His eyes were fixed on me. For the first time since I entered his house, he wasn't looking at me like a maid.

He looked confused. His gaze moved slowly over my face, as if he were trying to touch me.

I felt my heartbeat quicken, but I kept my expression calm. Then one of the guests approached Adrian with a grin.

“Adrian, you never told us you had such a beautiful new wife.”

The room seemed to fall silent.

Vivian, who had been standing nearby, immediately stiffened.

Adrian's expression changed. “What?”

The man laughed. “I thought she was your wife. You have to admit, she looks like she belongs beside you.”

A few people laughed. I glanced at Vivian. Her face had gone completely cold.

I lowered my eyes and pretended to be embarrassed.

“I am only a maid, sir.”

The words made several guests look surprised.

“A maid?”

“Yes.”

The man looked at Adrian. “Well, your maid certainly knows how to make an entrance.”

More laughter filled the room. I quietly walked away with the tray.

But as I passed Adrian, I felt his eyes following me.

He didn't look amused. He looked unsettled like someone that wants to hold me and kiss me. I smiled faintly as I disappeared into the crowd.

The game had officially begun.

Vivian’s expression changed the moment she saw the attention I was receiving. She quickly walked toward me and grabbed my arm, pulling me away from the guests.

“What exactly are you wearing?” she asked through clenched teeth. Her eyes moved over my dress with obvious irritation. “Did you forget that you are a maid?”

I calmly looked at her.

“You told me to dress perfectly today,” I reminded her. “You said I should make my hair look good, wear something decent under my apron, and make sure I didn't embarrass you in front of the guests.”

Her face tightened.

“That doesn't mean you should dress like—”

Before she could finish, one of the guests called my name.

“Mia!”

I turned toward the voice and gently pulled my arm away from Vivian.

“Excuse me.”

I walked toward the guest, leaving Vivian standing behind me in frustration.

As I approached him, I could still feel someone's eyes following me.

Adrian.

He had barely looked away from me since I came downstairs. I ignored him.

Tonight wasn't about Adrian's confusion.

It was about mine.

I needed answers.

The birthday celebration continued for a while, with guests presenting expensive gifts to Adrian. Watches, bottles of expensive wine, designer accessories, and beautifully wrapped boxes filled the table.

Adrian thanked everyone politely, while Vivian stood beside him with a proud smile.

Then Vivian suddenly announced that she had prepared something special.

“Before we continue,” she said, smiling at the guests, “I want everyone to see a little memory of Adrian and me.”

A projector was brought into the middle of the room. My stomach tightened slightly. I knew exactly what she was trying to do.

She wanted everyone to see her relationship with Adrian. Their vacations. Their celebrations. Their happy moments together.

Vivian handed a small tape to one of the staff members.

“Play this.”

The lights dimmed, and everyone turned toward the large screen. I stood quietly at the back of the room.

Nobody noticed the small smile that appeared on my lips. Because the tape Vivian had prepared wasn't going to play.

Not tonight.

Earlier that afternoon, while everyone was busy preparing for the party, I had made sure the original tape was replaced.

The staff member inserted it into the projector. The screen flickered. Then the first image appeared.

Adrian and I stood together beneath a beautiful wedding arch.

Our wedding day. The day I had once believed would be the beginning of my forever with him.

The room went completely silent.

A picture appeared on the screen of Adrian standing beside me in his wedding suit, his hand resting around my waist while I smiled beside him.

Someone gasped.

“What is this?”

Another guest leaned forward.

“Is that Elena?”

Vivian froze.

Her smile disappeared instantly.

I watched her from the back of the room as another scene appeared.

Adrian and I were walking together through the beautiful resort where we had spent our first vacation as husband and wife. There were pictures of us by the beach, sitting together at dinner, and walking along the shore.

Every image revealed a part of a life Vivian had never known existed in that house.

Adrian stood completely still. His eyes remained fixed on the screen. I watched his face carefully.

He looked confused and shocked.

And finally, something I hadn't expected.

Pain.

The guests began whispering among themselves.

“Who is that woman?”

“I thought Vivian was his first wife.”

“They look married.”

“Why have we never heard about her?”

Vivian turned toward Adrian.

“What is this?”

Adrian didn't answer. His eyes remained on the screen.

Then another wedding picture appeared. This time, I was looking directly at the camera while Adrian stood beside me.

The room became even quieter. I folded my arms and watched.

And for the first time that evening, Vivian looked completely powerless.