Chapter 12- I am overqualified

The silence in the mansion was unnerving. I had barely stepped out of my room in days. The emotional weight of everything—the contract, William’s harshness, the impending birth—was crushing. But that evening, something inside me shifted. A quiet resolve formed. I couldn’t sit idle any longer. I needed to understand this house, these people, and especially the man whose child I was carrying.

The hallway was dimly lit, casting soft shadows across the wooden floors. As I stepped toward the staircase, I caught a faint rustle from the hallway below. Curious, I leaned slightly over the railing.

My breath caught.

Down in the living room, my supposed caretaker—Eliza—was perched on the arm of the sofa near William. Her posture was animated, and she appeared to be speaking intently. For a moment, I misread the closeness and the energy of the scene—her leaning toward him, William leaning back on the couch with a neutral expression.

Anger surged through me as my thoughts rushed to conclusions. Was she trying to seduce him? Had she always been this way with him?

But just as quickly, I noticed something odd. On the table beside them were several open files and documents. Eliza pointed at a page and handed him a pen. William signed something, not looking up.

I narrowed my eyes. It wasn’t what I’d thought. Not at all. She wasn’t touching him with affection—she was assisting him with paperwork.

My face flushed with embarrassment. I had completely misunderstood. Eliza stood and picked up the files neatly, then gave a short nod to William and walked away.

Ashamed of my assumptions, I quietly returned to my room, berating myself. It was easier to believe the worst of everyone, but it wasn’t always the truth.

I sat on the edge of the bed, watching the glass of untouched juice Eliza had left earlier. I sighed, realizing how quick I’d been to judge her.

My thoughts were interrupted by a knock.

"Yes?" I called.

"Ma'am, may I come in?" Eliza’s voice.

"Yes," I said.

She entered with a careful smile and a tray in hand. “Sir asked me to bring your dinner.”

I accepted it with a nod. As she set the tray down, I decided to ask, “How long have you worked here?”

She blinked. “Around four years.”

“And William hired you?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

I paused. “Do you know Natasha?”

Her answer came calmly, “Yes. She visits often.”

“And?”

“She’s close to Sir,” she replied without emotion.

Eliza turned to leave. I let her go.

The next morning, I was determined to step outside the mansion, if only for a short while. My cabin fever was reaching unbearable levels.

I walked down the stairs. William was seated in the living room, his laptop open. He didn’t glance at me, just kept typing.

As I reached the main door, his voice stopped me.

“Where are you going?”

I turned slowly. “Out. I need a break.”

He raised an eyebrow. “In your condition?”

I scoffed. “Pregnancy is not a disability.”

He studied me for a second, then returned to his laptop. “Take the driver.”

I said nothing more and stepped outside. The breeze hit my face like a balm. The driver opened the car door. I slid in, feeling a sense of short-lived freedom.

“Where to, ma’am?”

“Downtown. Anywhere with a café.”

He drove quietly. The city outside was alive—a stark contrast to the mansion’s silence.

At the café, I ordered coffee and sat by the window. For a moment, I pretended to be just another woman, living a normal life.

But the illusion shattered when Justin entered.

“Lily?” he asked.

“Justin.” I stood. “What are you doing here?”

“I work nearby,” he said, sliding into the chair across from me.

“I needed a break,” I replied.

He nodded. “You look tired.”

“It’s been rough.”

“Want to talk?”

I shook my head. “But I need something.”

“What?”

“A job.”

His brows lifted. “Now you remember?” His tone was edged with sarcasm.

I looked down, a little ashamed. “I know I should’ve reached out earlier. I’m sorry for disappearing like that.”

He exhaled, clearly holding back frustration. “You left me hanging after I arranged everything for you, Lily.”

“I wasn’t in the right state of mind,” I admitted softly.

After a pause, he leaned back. “Alright. Come to my office tomorrow.”

“Thank you,” I said, genuinely grateful.

Then he leaned in slightly, his voice quieter now. “Lily... it’s about William’s sister.”

My chest tightened. “What about her?”

“She’s gone. She died years ago.”

I froze. “What?”

Justin nodded slowly. “Selena. She was last seen with Natasha... just before she disappeared.”

I shook my head, refusing to believe it. “That can’t be. She used to come to our dorm. She was like a sister to me. William’s everything revolved around her.”

“I know,” Justin said gently. “Her death happened long before I even moved into the neighborhood. William hasn’t been the same since. He still believes there’s more to it—that it wasn’t just a random disappearance or accident. He hasn’t closed the case.”

I leaned back, eyes wide. It didn’t feel real. My mind reeled.

I closed my eyes and saw her again—laughing in the dorm hallway, sneaking snacks, teasing William with warmth and wit. Her name was Selena. She was like a sister to me, too.

How could Selena be gone?

Justin added, "William’s still not over it. He thinks something went wrong... that there’s more to the story.”

I stood quietly. “I have to go.”

Later that evening, I returned to the mansion. William wasn’t in sight. I went straight to my room.

Eliza entered a few minutes later with a bottle in her hand.

“Herbal drops,” she said. “Good for sleep.”

I frowned. “I didn’t ask for them.”

“Sir insisted.”

I took the bottle reluctantly. “Leave it there.”

She nodded and left.

I stared at the bottle for a while. I was too tired to think straight. Eventually, I drank from it.

That night, I lay in bed, heart heavy. My thoughts swirled with confusion and sadness. I remembered Selena’s smile, her kindness, her playful fights with William.

Nothing made sense anymore.

I whispered her name one last time before sleep took over.