How do you like that little mouse?

Sabrina’s POV

“What happened to Maddie was a tragedy, but it doesn’t mean we stop performing our duties,” Nanny Tessa clapped her hands firmly. “Now off you go. No more slacking!”

The kitchen was in chaos, maids bustling about as they scrambled to resume their chores.

I drifted quietly to the side and leaned on the kitchen island, spacing out as my thoughts replayed the horrors from last night.

Suddenly, a loud slam snapped me out of my daze. Anne had dropped a bowl of garlic and a knife in front of me with a thud, clearly on purpose.

“Quit daydreaming and peel these garlic cloves,” she sneered, her tone sharp and mocking. “Your days of being a princess are over.”

She rolled her eyes and strutted away without another glance.

I let out a quiet sigh and picked up the bowl. I would never understand the depth of Anne’s hatred toward me.

As I began peeling, the kitchen door opened again. Ian walked in, accompanied by two guards. One of them made my blood run cold.

I recognized him. He was the same man I saw in my dream with Maddie.

My hands froze over the bowl as Ian stepped forward.

“Regarding the incident that occurred in the early hours of the morning,” he said, his icy blue eyes scanning every maid in the room, “we’re conducting an investigation and will be questioning everyone. Your cooperation is expected and appreciated.”

He turned toward Nanny Tessa. “If you don’t mind, we’ll begin with you.”

“Of course, child,” she replied and followed him without hesitation.

The rest of us were instructed to follow the second guard…the one from my dream. His name suddenly came to me.

Marcus.

I couldn’t take my eyes off him. Every cruel word he said to Maddie echoed in my mind. My chest tightened with rage.

As we walked out, Anne brushed past me deliberately.

“What? You like him?” she blurted out loudly, drawing laughter from the others. “He already has a mate, and even if he didn’t, it’s not like he’d pick you.”

I said nothing and kept walking, ignoring the burn of her words.

We were led to a plain room on the second floor I had never seen before. The maids gathered in clusters, whispering and throwing around theories about why Maddie jumped.

I stood alone, leaning against a wall, far from the gossiping crowd. My mind was spinning.

Minutes passed. Nanny Tessa returned from questioning, her steps slow, her face tense. Another maid was called in.

“Oh dear,” she groaned, lowering herself onto a chair I hadn’t noticed earlier. She bent down and massaged her aching knees.

I quickly went over, retrieved the chair, and helped her sit more comfortably.

“Thank you, dear,” she sighed. “They think Maddie’s death wasn’t a suicide. Who would want to kill such a sweet young girl?”

“It was suicide,” I said softly, the words escaping before I realized it.

“How are you so sure?” Anne’s voice suddenly pierced through. I hadn’t even noticed her walk over.

“I… I mean, she fell, right?” I stammered, scrambling to cover up my slip.

“Or maybe someone pushed her. Maybe it was you,” she snapped.

“Anne!” Nanny Tessa’s voice was firm with disapproval.

“I’m not wrong, am I?” Anne folded her arms. “This kind of thing has never happened here. And now, just a week after she arrives, someone kills herself.”

“One more word, and I’ll have your meals seized for the next two days,” Nanny Tessa warned, her expression taut with anger.

I placed a hand on her shoulder, trying to calm her. “It’s alright, Nanny. I’m used to it.”

Anne scoffed and turned away. Just then, another maid emerged from the questioning room.

“You’re next, Anne,” she announced.

Anne cast a dirty look my way before walking off.

“Don’t mind her,” Nanny Tessa said with a weary sigh. “She’s a good girl. Just very insecure.”

I gave her a tight smile. “Good” was not the word I would ever use for Anne.

Soon, Anne returned, and I realized I was the last one left.

For some reason, my heart began to race. My palms grew clammy with sweat.

I entered the room.

Marcus sat across from me, a clipboard in his hand. Ian stood off to the side, watching quietly, while the second guard stood behind Marcus, his posture tense.

I closed the door and took a seat across from Marcus.

“You’ve only been here about a week,” he said, scribbling something down. “So I doubt you’ll have much information. But in that time, did you ever speak to Maddie?”

“I did,” I replied after taking a deep breath. “Maddie was the only one who ever stood up for me when others bullied me.”

That got Marcus’ attention. He looked up sharply.

“Did she tell you anything?” he asked.

I stared at him closely. Yes. It was him. I was sure.

“Why?” My voice wavered. “All Maddie did was love you.”

Marcus flinched. His fingers trembled slightly around the pen.

“I’m sorry… what? Who did Maddie love?” he asked, his tone feigning confusion.

I couldn’t stop myself. The words came tumbling out.

“Was Maddie just something you could toss aside the second you found your mate? She was pregnant with your child, and yet you abandoned her like she meant nothing!”

He stiffened, his posture betraying his nerves.

I could feel the blood draining from my face. My emotions were spiraling. It wasn’t just Maddie. It was me too. It was everything Logan had done to me, all over again.

Ian stepped closer. “How did you know Maddie was pregnant?” he asked, his voice calm but heavy with suspicion. “That information was never made public.”

I froze.

What had I done?

It was just a dream. Why did I speak like it was fact?

I tried to steady my breathing, but it was too late.

“Why so quiet, little mouse?” Damon’s voice slid through the room like silk.

I turned slowly.

He stood at the door with a wide smile on his face.

When had he gotten here?

“I think you’re mistaken,” Marcus said suddenly, forcing my attention back to him. “Maddie was like a little sister to me. Maybe she thought it was something more, but I would never cross that line with her—let alone get her pregnant.”

His words made my blood boil.

“You’re lying,” I said through clenched teeth.

Ian’s eyes didn’t move from me. “Do you have any evidence?” he asked. “This is a serious accusation. Maddie was only fifteen.”

My stomach dropped.

What had I done?

“I have the evidence,” Damon said.

I turned to see him holding up a small, worn-out book.

“Maddie’s diary,” he announced, moving closer. He patted Marcus on the shoulder and smiled. “Just a sister to you, you said?”

Marcus dropped to his knees, his face pale. “I’m sorry, Alpha Damon. I didn’t know she would jump. I swear I didn’t mean for her to die.”

He rubbed his hands together desperately, begging for mercy.

I stood there, frozen in horror.

I had been right. The dream had been real.

Before I could fully process it, Damon reached behind him and pulled out a gun.

“No—” I gasped, but the sound barely escaped my lips.

“Ask Maddie for forgiveness in the afterlife,” Damon said calmly.

He pulled the trigger.

Marcus collapsed in a heap. Blood pooled around his lifeless body.

I clamped my hands over my mouth as a scream threatened to escape.

Damon turned to me, his expression unreadable.

“How did you like that, little mouse?” he asked, a sinister smile spreading across his face.