Chapter 10

“I just lost the opportunity of revealing my identity. He was ready to listen to whatever I had to say at that point. What was I thinking” I asked as I lay on my bed. 

Just then Maria walked in with a smile on her face.

“Hey darling,” she called me. 

“Hi” I responded as I rose up. 

“Why does your face look as if the world is upon you.” She asked me, getting closer to look into my eyes if there were tears.

“I had the chance to tell Henry who I was but I didn't Know what came over me.” I responded with a shaky voice.

“You don't have to feel bad about it, besides, you can do it tomorrow, If you want. Don't forget that I'll always be here in every step you take.” 

I leaned forward to hug Maria. “You're just the best. Thank you for being my source of strength, Maria. I love you so much.”

With that assurance, I had peace of mind for the first time since my kids Left. The following morning, I woke up with the excitement of reconciliation. I wore my best threaded servant's clothes. 

“Today is the day I've been waiting for, I can't afford to mess up.” I muttered to myself. 

“You have my backing, my lady. I can't wait for Henry to introduce you to us as his long lost wife, Mrs Nina Windsor. I can't imagine the surprise that will be on everyone's face.” Maria teased

“You're so silly. Aren't you? I asked as I walked out of my room. I went into the mansion to start my job for the day so that I can finish on time. At 11am I was done, so I made my way to Henry's office.

I knocked softly, and Henry's voice called out, "Come in."

I took a deep breath, before I pushed the door open and stepped inside. Henry was seated at his desk, with a cup of coffee in one hand and his book in the other. He looked up as I entered, with a brief smile on his lips. "Good morning, Nina. What brings you here so early?"

“Good morning sir, I responded” unsure of what to say next. “I'm done with my chores for the day, so I decided to come talk to you about something important” I responded.

“Please shut the door and have a seat.” Henry said, he dropped his cup and book and faced me.

I closed the door behind me and took a step forward but I didn't sit down, my hands trembled slightly as I tried to talk. "Henry, there's something I need to talk to you about. It's something important."

He adjusted to his seat, and gave me his full attention, "What is it, Nina?, Do you want me to come closer, so that you'd whisper it to my ears?"

Before I could respond, the door to the office suddenly burst open, and Olivia stormed in, from nowhere. 

“I'm I welcome here, or am I supposed to wait outside the web for this romantic deceit to continue?” She asked in mockery. My heart skipped many beats. Her last words made me know her intention. In order to play smart, I coughed.

“Olivia, can I have a word with you outside?” 

“A word with me? Oh! Do you now recognise me as a person you can have a word with?. Nina I don't have time for that.” She responded without emotions.

“Olivia, please. Can just do me the honor of coming with me for a second?” I pleaded again as I fought the tears that tried to betray the appearance I was keeping.

Olivia folded her hands and turned to me. “Let's have the conversation here. Say it Nina!” She urged me but I looked at her like a lifeless structure, my eyes begging for mercy but she was determined to do her worst. All these while, Henry was turning to look at us in turns.

"Henry, you need to hear this," she said, with a trembling voice.

Henry frowned and rose up at once, looking from me to Olivia. "Olivia, if I may ask what are you doing here? This is a private conversation and you're not expected to be here, besides how did you gain entry into my house"

Olivia ignored his words, her eyes locked onto mine with a cold glare. "You need to know the truth, Henry. About her. This maid of yours is a liar"

My heart sank as I realized what was about to happen, I wished for the ground to open. I had hoped to tell Henry the truth myself, but now Olivia was going to reveal it in the worst possible way.

"What are you talking about?" Henry asked, his gaze shifting back to me. "What's going on, Nina, what is talking about?"

I looked at Henry with tears as tears started dripping from my eyes. Olivia took a step forward, her voice filled with bitterness. "Your humble maid, Nins isn't who she says she is, she isn't the maid you think she is. She's been lying to you this whole time about her identity. Her real name is Nina Windsor. She's your wife, Henry."

The room fell silent, with the weight of Olivia's words hanging in the air. Henry's face went pale, his eyes wide with shock and disbelief. "Is this true, Nina?"

I felt cold tears in my eyes as I nodded, my voice barely above a whisper. "Yes, it's true. I am Nina Windsor.” I said as I removed my cap and removed the first button of my gown to reveal an inscription that Henry had placed on the side of neck as a symbol of his presence.

 He looked at me in shock as I continued talking. “I came back to protect you and our children from Olivia's deceitful plans. I was informed about her plans and I couldn't bear to see her execute it.”

For about five minutes, the room was silent. I buttoned my shirt and wore my cap, as I got prepared for what he was about to say. After five minutes of silence, Olivia coughed.

“Henry, Nina and I are not different. How can your wife return to your house as a maid? Who does that? What manner of protection is that? I even heard that your children were here, she saw them but that didn't even push her to come clean to you. Don't you think she has another motive for coming here?

If she really loved you and the kids as she has said, she would have opened up to you so that she could rebound with her family again, but No!. Your darling secret maid decided to remain as a maid and carry out her plans, then when she's done, she'd always leave under the guise of a maid. Henry, open your eyes and face the truth.” She said and turned away.

Henry's expression hardened. I guess Olivia's words got to him. He turned to me but his eyes were filled with a mix of anger and betrayal. “I knew it! I knew there was something about you. I have always given you a chance to tell me who you were but you never thought of telling me who you were. Since you came into this house, I've been feeling a pull towards you, but I couldn’t define it.

Why didn't you tell me the truth from the beginning? Why did you hide your identity if you truly care about us as you claim?"

Before I could respond, Olivia spoke again, her voice dripping with malice. "What's the point of asking her when she'll cook up lies as a response? She's just as deceitful as I am, Henry. She came back here under false pretenses, pretending to be someone else while carrying out the task that brought her here. She's been lying to you and the children."

Henry turned his eyes back to me, this time, his eyes were filled with pain. "Is that true, Nina? Have you been lying to me this whole time? I just can't believe this is happening to me. Nina, open your mouth and talk to me."

Tears streamed down my face as I nodded. "Yes, but it wasn't out of malice, Henry. When I returned, I was afraid because of the new setting of the house, I realized that everything had changed and Olivia was already with you. I became afraid of how you would react, afraid of what it would do to the children. But you have to believe that I came back because I love you, and I wanted to protect our family."

Henry's expression hardened further, and his voice became cold. "That's not an excuse, Nina. You're just trying to cover up for your mistakes. Who would believe this? He asked as she hit the table. His eyes became red, I expected him to walk towards me to hit me but my Henry didn't, instead tears gathered in his eyes but he fought for them not to show how pained he was.

“You should have told me the truth from the beginning. I can't believe you've been lying to me all this time, Nina you had every opportunity to tell me. The night I saw you in the kids room was a very good opportunity but you didn't use it. How do you want me to believe you, just tell me how?."

Olivia took another step forward. “Henry, She's no better than I am. She's been deceiving you, just like I did. It would be better if you just send her packing. We don't know what she's capable of doing."

Henry's eyes flashed with anger as he looked at Olivia. "Enough, Olivia. This isn't about you."

Olivia's smile faltered, and she took a step back. "But remember that you can't trust her, Henry. She's been lying to you. How can you ever trust her again?"

I couldn't withstand Olivia anymore. “Olivia, please stay out of this. You're not the one to judge my actions. This is a family affair and you're not expected to say anything about it.”

Henry turned back to me, his expression unreadable. "Nina, I need you to leave right now before I'd do something that we’ll regret. I can't deal with this right now."

His words hit me like a physical blow, and I felt my heart broken into pieces. "Henry, please. I came back because I love you. Believe me because I want to protect you and our children."

Henry's eyes were cold as he shook his head. "I need time to think, Nina. Please, just go, get out."

The tears were flowing freely now, and I felt a deep sense of despair. "Henry, please. I'm so sorry. I never meant for you to find out this way."

Henry turned away, his voice hollow. "Just go, Nina. Go away.