Who Is Jane

The house was unusually quiet that morning.

Dante came down the staircase, adjusting the cuff of his shirt as he checked the time on his phone.

He had barely reached the last step when he noticed someone standing near the dining room.

A young woman in a neat maid's uniform turned at the sound of his footsteps.

She immediately lowered her head politely.

"Good morning, sir."

Dante stopped.

He looked at her for a moment before sliding his phone into his pocket.

"Who are you?"

The woman straightened.

"My name is Jane."

Dante's eyes narrowed slightly.

He had never seen her before.

"Who hired you?"

"Mr. Moretti."

"My father?"

Jane nodded.

"He personally arranged for me to work here."

Dante's jaw tightened.

Of course.

His father.

After everything that had happened between them, Vincent had decided to place a new maid inside his home without even informing him.

"When did you start?"

"This morning."

Dante glanced toward the kitchen.

"Did my father tell you what your responsibilities are?"

"Yes, sir. I'm here to help with the household and assist Cassandra whenever she needs anything."

Dante studied her face.

She remained calm beneath his stare.

"Follow the household rules," he said finally. "And respect Cassandra."

"Of course, sir."

Jane gave another polite nod.

Dante walked past her, but something about the situation continued to bother him.

Why would Vincent suddenly hire a new maid?

And why this house?

---

Later that afternoon, the front door opened.

Cassandra stepped inside, her handbag hanging from one shoulder.

Her thoughts were still with Samantha.

Her best friend was still in the hospital, and Cassandra had spent part of the day worrying about her.

She closed the door and walked into the living room.

Then she stopped.

A young woman was arranging flowers on the table.

The woman turned.

"Hello."

Cassandra blinked.

"Hi."

"I'm Jane. I was hired to help around the house."

Cassandra looked at her in surprise.

"Jane?"

Jane smiled.

"Mr. Vincent Moretti hired me this morning."

"Dante didn't mention anything."

"I don't think he knew either."

Cassandra glanced around the room.

"Why did Mr. Moretti hire you?"

"He said the household needed someone to help."

Jane stepped closer.

"Would you like me to take your bag?"

"Oh, it's okay."

Jane was already reaching for it.

"You look tired."

Cassandra hesitated before handing it over.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Jane carried the bag upstairs.

Cassandra watched her disappear before checking her phone again.

Still nothing from Samantha.

She sighed and slipped the phone back into her handbag.

She hoped her friend would recover soon.

---

By evening, Jane had already become surprisingly useful.

She prepared food, organized the kitchen, and helped Cassandra with a few things around the house.

When Cassandra struggled to reach a box on a high shelf, Jane immediately stepped forward.

"I'll get it."

Jane lifted the box down and handed it to her.

Cassandra smiled.

"You're really helpful."

"It's my job."

"You don't have to make me feel so useless."

Jane laughed softly.

"You should let someone help you sometimes."

Cassandra smiled.

"Maybe you're right."

----

The front door finally opened.

Dante stepped inside, loosening his tie as he walked into the house.

His shoulders looked tense from the long day.

Then he saw Cassandra standing near the hallway.

Her face immediately brightened.

"You're back."

Dante's tired expression softened.

"Yes."

She walked toward him.

"Long day?"

"Very."

Cassandra reached for his tie.

"Let me."

Her fingers carefully loosened the knot.

Dante watched her with a faint smile.

"You've gotten comfortable doing that."

Cassandra smiled.

"Someone has to take care of you."

His hand settled briefly against her waist.

"And who takes care of you?"

She looked up at him.

"You do."

For a moment, neither moved.

Jane appeared from the dining room.

"Dinner is ready."

Dante stepped back, though his hand lingered on Cassandra's waist for another second.

"Thank you, Jane."

Jane smiled before returning to the kitchen.

Cassandra looked at Dante.

"You must be starving."

"I am."

She took his hand.

"Come."

---

Dinner was quiet and comfortable.

Cassandra sat beside Dante, their chairs close enough that their shoulders occasionally brushed.

Neither seemed bothered.

Dante's hand rested on the table near hers.

After a moment, Cassandra slipped her fingers into his.

He looked down at their joined hands before looking at her.

Then his expression became more serious.

"How is Samantha?"

Cassandra's smile faded slightly.

"She's still in the hospital."

"Is she getting better?"

"She's stable, but the doctors want to keep watching her."

Dante nodded slowly.

"Have you spoken to her?"

"Yes. She was awake earlier, but she was tired."

Cassandra looked down at her plate.

"I'm worried about her."

Dante squeezed her hand.

"She'll get through this."

"I hope so."

"If you need to visit her again, I'll take you."

Cassandra looked at him.

"You don't have to."

"I know."

His thumb brushed gently across her fingers.

"I want to."

A small smile returned to her face.

"Thank you."

Dante watched her for a moment.

Then he leaned slightly closer.

"Just don't carry everything by yourself."

Cassandra nodded.

"I'll try."

Their shoulders touched again.

This time, neither moved away.

---

After dinner, Cassandra stood.

"I'll help clean up."

Dante caught her wrist gently.

"Leave it."

"But—"

"Jane can handle it."

Cassandra raised an eyebrow.

"You're becoming very protective."

"I've always been protective."

She smiled.

"Not like this."

Dante leaned closer.

"Maybe you're just noticing it now."

She laughed softly.

----

Later that night, they went upstairs together.

There was no awkwardness between them anymore.

Their bedroom had slowly become a shared space.

Cassandra's things were scattered among Dante's.

Her books sat on the nightstand beside his watch.

Her perfume lingered faintly in the room.

And Dante no longer thought of the room as his alone.

Cassandra changed into her nightclothes and climbed into bed.

Dante joined her a few minutes later.

She turned toward him.

"Tired?"

"Very."

She reached over and straightened the collar of his shirt.

"You worked too hard today."

"So did you."

"I wasn't working."

"You were worrying about Samantha."

Cassandra gave a small sigh.

"I just hope she'll be okay."

Dante reached for her hand.

"She will be."

Cassandra moved closer.

"I hope you're right."

He wrapped an arm around her.

"I'll be here."

She rested her head against his chest.

After a quiet moment, she looked up.

"Dante?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you really like having me here?"

His eyes softened.

"I don't just like having you here."

He brushed a strand of hair away from her face.

"I like having you beside me."

Her heart fluttered.

She smiled and tucked herself closer to him.

Dante kissed her forehead.

Then her cheek.

Cassandra lifted her face and gave him a soft kiss.

When they pulled apart, neither moved far.

Their foreheads touched.

"Good night, D."

"Good night, Emma."

His arms tightened around her.

She closed her eyes against his chest.

For the first time, sharing the same room no longer felt strange.

It felt natural.

They stayed wrapped in each other's arms until sleep slowly carried them away.