She too

Helen’s POV

The sun had mellowed into a golden hue as I finished dusting off the last corner of Mena’s room. Needing to clear my head, I slipped outside into the garden, letting the breeze tease strands of hair from my bun. The scent of hibiscus and fresh soil wrapped around me like a calming veil.

Ahead, Lisa and Zara were perched on one of the benches beneath the swaying jacaranda. Their laughter carried softly, light and carefree.

“Hey, guys,” I called out, walking over.

Lisa looked up first. “Hey, Helen. Looks like someone’s free at last.”

Zara shuffled slightly to her left, patting the space beside her. “Come sit.”

I joined them, exhaling. “You both seemed deep in something before I interrupted.”

“Oh, just teasing Zara,” Lisa said, her grin stretching mischievously. “Apparently, she has a little thing for Mr. Sebastian.”

The name hit me like a slap.

Sebastian?

Zara flushed instantly. “Don’t look at me like that. I don’t know what it is—whenever he’s near, something stirs. I just... wish I could—” She broke off mid-sentence, caught in the silence.

Lisa arched a brow. “Don’t stop now. Say it. You wish you could spend a night with him?”

Zara bit her lip, but her eyes gave her away. The soft pink on her cheeks said the rest.

She’s imagined it. All of it.

Lisa threw her head back and howled with laughter. “Snap out of it, girl. You’re a maid. Nothing more.”

Zara’s smile dimmed, but only for a second. She lifted her chin. “So what? That doesn’t make me less of a woman. One night... that’s all I want.”

The wind stirred. A dry rustle passed through the leaves as Lisa clutched her stomach, still laughing.

I couldn’t laugh. I couldn’t even speak.

Because I understood.

I had no right to judge Zara. Not when I’d caught myself fantasizing about him earlier—when I thought he might lean in and kiss me. My breath still caught whenever I remembered his eyes, that chiseled jaw, the way he carried himself like he owned every room he entered.

God, his hands alone did something to me. His voice… the way he looked at me—like he knew what I hid beneath the surface.

I clenched my thighs. The images he left in my head... it was shameful. Filthy.

Zara nudged me. “Helen, let’s swap roles. Just for one day. Let me be close to him.”

Something in me snapped. Heat rose to my chest.

Over my dead body.

I didn’t even think before I snapped, “Be my guest. Be his mistress for the night.”

My tone was sharp—too sharp. Lisa turned to me, eyebrows lifted. “Whoa. You good?”

Then she laughed, half-disbelieving. “Wait—don’t tell me you want him too.”

I looked away. “No. Why would I?”

Lies. All of it.

Yes, I wanted him. I wanted everything. His touch. His lips. His weight on top of me. To feel like a woman again—like someone wanted.

Even thinking of his voice made something flutter low in my belly.

Zara leaned in, hopeful. “Please, Helen. Just one night.”

I clenched my fists on my lap.

Why was I so angry? Why did it feel like she was taking something from me?

Lisa squinted. “And how do you plan to get him in bed, anyway?”

I was curious too. How did she think this would play out?

Zara looked down, then back at us. “I have my ways. If Helen lets me take her place, I’ll find a way.”

Lisa snorted. “Girl, he’s not a street vendor you bargain with.”

Zara’s lips trembled. “You don’t understand. He’s driving me insane. I see him and my body just—reacts.”

I wanted to scream. Because I understood too well.

Lisa rolled her eyes. “You just need to let off some steam. Actually, I have the perfect cure.”

“Oh?” I asked.

“I’ve got tickets to one of the hottest strip clubs in town. You’ll find plenty of... generous men to distract you.”

Zara shook her head, stubborn. “No. I want him.”

Her voice cracked, barely above a whisper. Her desperation settled like thick fog between us.

I tilted my head. “Is that how badly you want his d**k?”

“Yes, Helen,” she said, eyes wild with need. “That’s how bad.”

Lisa lost it again, laughing so hard we had to cover her mouth so she wouldn’t alert the entire mansion.

Zara narrowed her eyes. “You’re making me feel like a joke.”

I shrugged. “Well, you kinda are.”

Lisa winked. “Guess it’s back to your trusty little friend, the dildo.”

I gawked. “You imagine him while using that thing?”

Lisa’s laughter doubled, tears in her eyes.

“Sometimes,” Zara murmured, eyes distant.

“Other times?” I asked, more stunned than curious now.

She shrugged. “My ex.”

A sex fiend. That’s what she was.

“I’m not switching with you,” I said coldly. “Control your hormones.”

Zara stood abruptly, her face red—not from embarrassment, but from hurt. She stormed off.

Lisa lingered a few moments, her eyes on me. Then she laughed again, soft and amused, before walking off too.

The garden fell silent.

I stayed, letting the calm wrap around me. The scent of flowers lingered, sweet and heady. Zara had tended them well. The breeze shifted, cool and gentle against my skin. For a moment, I wished I could sink into the grass and disappear.

Eventually, I made my way back into the house. The living room was empty—no sign of Mena or Mrs. Hartley.

I found Lisa in the kitchen. “Where’s everyone?”

“They left a few minutes ago. Won’t be back until evening.”

Perfect.

“I’ll rest a bit and help with dinner later.”

She nodded, and I slipped away, heading for the cottage.

As I passed Zara’s room, a sound stopped me cold.

Moans.

Rhythmic. Intense. Shameless.

I paused, pressing my ear against her door—maybe I shouldn’t have, but curiosity burned hotter than shame.

The door creaked open slightly as I leaned forward. The moaning grew louder.

Not in the room. The bathroom.

I stepped in.

My hand pushed the bathroom door open—

And my heart stopped.

My jaw hung open.

“What the f—”