chapter Three: The New Maid

“What did you say your name is again?”

I lowered my head and tightened my grip on the small bag in my hands.

“Mia Anderson, ma’am.”

Vivian stared at me for a few seconds, studying my face. "Where did you work before?”

"I worked for a family in the city.”

“For how long?”

"Almost three years.”

She nodded slowly.

"And why did you leave?”

"The family moved away.”

It was all part of the story Sophia and I had prepared. Every question had an answer, so as every detail about my new identity had been carefully arranged.

Vivian looked me over again.

"You look very young.”

"I can work hard, ma’am.”

"I didn't ask if you could work hard.”

I lowered my eyes. "Sorry, ma’am.”

She smiled faintly. "You'll learn quickly.”

"Thank you.”

Vivian turned and walked into the house.

"Come inside.”

I followed her.

Every step felt strange.This was my home,I knew every corner of this place.

The staircase where my husband and I had taken our wedding photographs.

The living room where we used to spend our evenings.

The dining table where I had once prepared his favorite meals.

But now, I was walking through it as a stranger.

Vivian stopped in front of the staircase.

"Your room is downstairs. You'll clean the entire house, prepare meals, and attend to anything I ask.”

"Yes, ma’am.”

"And don't touch anything that doesn't belong to you.”

My fingers curled slightly.

I almost laughed.

Everything in this house belonged to me.

But I simply nodded.

"Yes, ma’am.”

She walked away.

I watched her disappear upstairs.

Then I heard a familiar voice.

“Vivian.”

My entire body froze. I knew that voice.

I had heard it every morning for years.

My husband.

Adrian.

He walked down the stairs, adjusting his watch. for one terrifying second, our eyes met.

My heart stopped.

His eyes moved over my face without recognition.

"Who is she?”

Vivian glanced at me.

"The new maid.”

Adrian looked at me again.

I lowered my head immediately.

'Mia,” Vivian said. “This is my husband.”

i swallowed.

"Good morning, sir.”

Adrian nodded. "Good morning.”

Then he walked past me, He didn't recognize me.

Someone you have spent three years with.

Someone whose face you once kissed every morning.

Someone whose eyes you once claimed you could never forget.

You really don't love me.

I could see that now.

I stood there until I heard the sound of his footsteps disappear upstairs.

Only then did I allow myself to breathe.

I pressed a hand against my chest, It hurt more than I expected.

I had told myself I was ready for this.

I had prepared myself to see him with Vivian.

But I hadn't prepared myself for him to look directly at me and feel absolutely nothing.

"Mia.”

Vivian's voice pulled me back.

I quickly wiped the tears that had gathered in my eyes.

"Yes, ma'am?”

"Come with me.”

I followed her into the kitchen.

She pointed at the counter. "Prepare lunch. My husband will be leaving soon, so make something he likes.”

I nodded.

"What would he like, ma'am?”

Vivian smiled. "Anything with pepper. He likes his food spicy.”

I lowered my eyes.

I knew exactly how he liked his food.

I had spent three years cooking for him.

I knew how much pepper he could tolerate, the meals he loved, and the ones he hated.

But I simply said, “Alright, ma'am.”

Vivian left the kitchen. The moment she disappeared, my expression changed.

I opened the refrigerator and began preparing the meal. It was a meal I had prepared for Adrian countless times during our marriage.

I finished and placed the food on the dining table.

A few minutes later, Adrian came downstairs.

He stopped when he saw the table.

"Who prepared this?”

"The new maid,” Vivian answered.

He looked at me.

"You?”

I nodded.

"Yes, sir.”

He took a bite.

For a moment, he said nothing.

Then he looked at Vivian.

"This tastes exactly the way I like it.”

My heart tightened.

Of course it did.

I was the one who had taught myself how to cook it for him.

Vivian smiled proudly.

"You should keep her.”

Adrian looked at me again. "What's your name?”

"Mia.”

"Mia,” he repeated.

I lowered my eyes.

"Yes, sir.”

He nodded and continued eating.

I stood there silently.

He couldn't recognize me.

Not even from the food.

Not even from my voice.

Not even from the way I had looked at him.

I turned away before he could see the tears forming in my eyes.

I had come back to take revenge.

But standing there in the house that used to be mine, I realized something. Getting everything back won't be easy compared to watching the man I once loved become a stranger.