Chapter 5

Susan

I stormed out of Leonard’s bedroom, my heart hammering against my ribs. My chest burned, my throat tight, but I refused to let him see me cry again. The sting of his words followed me like shadows.

“Get out of my face.”

They rang in my head, sharp and merciless. Like I was nothing. Like my pain was some nuisance he wanted to sweep aside.

I gripped my dress as I hurried through the hall, ignoring the curious stares of the servants. My feet moved fast, carrying me to the only place I thought I could breathe, my room.

The door slammed behind me, and I pressed my back against it, sliding down until I hit the floor. My whole body shook, and hot tears spilled before I could stop them.

Why did it hurt so much? Why did his rejection always cut deeper than anyone else’s?

I buried my face in my hands.

No one believed me. Not Leonard, not his family. They all saw me as the liar, the burden, the girl who should be grateful she was even allowed to exist under this roof.

I wiped my face roughly and stood. My reflection in the mirror caught me. Red eyes. Shaky breaths. I hated looking weak. But no matter how much I tried to hold myself together, the weight of it all pressed me down.I moved to the bed, curling up on the edge. For a moment, I let silence wrap around me, a fragile shield. My body was heavy, my mind loud. But the peace didn’t last.

The door burst open without warning.I shot up, startled. Mrs. Carter stood there, her eyes cold, her lips curled in that familiar sneer that always made my stomach twist.

“So this is where you’re hiding,” she said, stepping in like she owned not just the house, but me too.

I swallowed hard. “I wasn’t hiding…”

Her hand snapped out before I could finish, gripping my wrist so tight I gasped.

“You think you can storm out after disrespecting Leonard and then sit here to cry like a spoiled child?” Her voice was sharp, cruel.

How did she find out I just stormed out of Leonard’s room, did she place a spy on me?

“I didn’t disrespect him..”

She yanked me up from the bed, cutting me off. “Shut your mouth. I don’t want to hear your excuses. You’ve embarrassed this family enough.”

I stumbled after her as she dragged me through the hallway. My wrist throbbed under her grip, but I bit my tongue. No one ever came to my defense anyway.

“I sent Anna to call you, and what? You’re turning my son against me. God, you're such an evil woman!”

Servants we passed lowered their eyes quickly, pretending not to see, but I could feel their pity or maybe their satisfaction.

“Where are we going?” I asked, trying to pull my arm back.

“You’ll see,” Mrs. Carter said, not slowing down. “It’s time you start being useful in this house.”

We turned the corner and entered the kitchen. The room went silent instantly. Servants froze, spoons midair, eyes darting between us. Mrs. Carter shoved me inside and slammed the door shut behind us.

“This girl,” she said loud enough for everyone to hear, “needs to learn her place.”

Heat rose to my face as I stood there, my wrist still in her grip. She finally let go, and I rubbed the sore spot without thinking.

The servants quickly bent back to their work, pretending to be busy. But I knew they were listening. They always were.

Mrs. Carter stepped closer, her eyes sharp. “You think tears will help you? You think Leonard will save you? He’s had enough of you, and so have I.”

My throat tightened. “Please, I wasn’t..” Her palm landed on the counter with a slap that made me flinch.

“I said shut your mouth!” she snapped. Her voice cut through the air, heavy and final.

I pressed my lips together, shaking.

Her gaze swept over the kitchen before landing back on me. She crossed her arms. “Since you’re so restless, I’ll give you something to do. Something worthy.” I stiffened.

“You will prepare lunch today,” she said, her words slow, deliberate. “Not just for this house. For your grandparents-in-law.”

My stomach dropped.

She smiled then, a cold smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “And make it quick. Benedict is on his way.”

The name hit me like a stone. My chest tightened, and the room suddenly felt smaller, hotter.

Benedict, Leo’s brother.

Mrs. Carter leaned closer, her voice a whisper only I could hear now. “If you fail, even once, I’ll make sure Leonard sees exactly how useless you are. And this time… he won’t even look at you again.”

I froze, my hands trembling by my sides.

The servants kept their heads down, pots clattering faintly, but I knew every ear was straining toward us.

Mrs. Carter straightened and stepped back, her smirk returning.

“Well?” she said, tilting her head. “Get to it.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat. My fingers curled into fists.