CHAPTER ONE

EMILY

I woke up to the loud banging on my door.

“Emily!!!” Isabella, my stepmother, shouted while hitting the door again and again.

I groaned and cursed myself for waking up late. I knew I was in big trouble. Isabella would probably starve me again for days. I rolled my eyes and let out another groan.

“Emily, if you don’t come out this minute, you won’t get anything to eat for the next two days!” she yelled.

Great. Just what I expected. I slapped my forehead and jumped out of bed, rushing to the door and opening it fast.

“No, Mom, please. I’m sorry I overslept. It wasn’t on purpose,” I said quickly.

“Don’t call me mother!” she shouted back. “I’m not your mother. I could never give birth to a useless and worthless child like you!”

There she goes again. I was already used to those words. They didn’t hurt like before.

I am Emily Jones a 26 years old who was once the heir to my family’s name and wealth. But now, I live like a maid in my own father’s house.

Everything changed after my dad died. His death never felt natural to me. Since then, Isabella forced me to do all the chores. I’ve been treated like a servant.

“What are you still doing here?” Isabella snapped. “Get to work! The house is dusty. Breakfast isn’t ready!”

“Okay, Isabella,” I replied. She gave me one of her usual dirty looks, which didn’t bother me anymore.

I walked down the stairs toward the kitchen. Our house was huge and beautiful. My dad, Marcello Jones, owned many real estate properties and a big company.

I was once his beloved daughter, the future heir of the Jones family. But after his death, Isabella claimed I wasn’t his biological child.

She told me my mother was pregnant for another man before marrying my father. I didn’t believe her though. My dad never said anything like that.

“Good morning, Emily,” Nanny Anna greeted with a kind smile as I entered the kitchen to help her, like always.

“Good morning to you too, Nanny,” I said, still yawning. I hadn’t slept well last night because I finished my chores very late.

“Oh dear, you look terrible. You didn’t sleep much again, did you?” she said with pity in her eyes.

“Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine,” I said, even though I wasn’t sure I would be.

She looked like she wanted to say something but stopped.

“You can talk to me, Nanny. You’re like a mother to me. You’ve been with me since I was a little girl,” I said softly.

“I see all the pain you go through with your stepmother since your dad passed,” she said sadly. “Your stepsisters, Charlotte and Amelia, make you do their laundry by hand even though there are other maids in the house. It’s not fair. If I were in your shoes, I’d rather be a maid somewhere else than in my own family’s house.”

Her words hit me hard. She was right. I needed to leave. I couldn’t live like this anymore. I sighed deeply.

She noticed the sadness in my eyes and added, “Sweetheart, there are many chances out there in New York. Don’t let Isabella and her daughters control your life.”

Tears filled my eyes. Nanny’s words made too much sense.

Just then, Charlotte walked in with Amelia right behind her. I acted like I didn’t see them.

“Why isn’t breakfast ready?” Charlotte snapped. “And Emily, why are you standing there doing nothing?”

I ignored her and walked to the sink to wash some dishes, but she grabbed me roughly and pulled me back.

My eyes widened in shock. I couldn’t believe she just did that.

“I can tolerate doing your laundry and cleaning your room even though there are other maids here,” I snapped at her through clenched teeth. “But I will not tolerate your disrespect. Just because we don’t share the same mother and your mother is in charge doesn’t mean you can treat me like trash.”

I hoped Amelia got the message too.

I was shaking with anger. When I turned, I saw the surprise on Amelia’s face. Charlotte looked shocked too.

For the first time in my life, I felt proud of myself. Nanny looked at me with wide eyes, clearly surprised. I didn’t think I could stand up to them either, but I guess I was just too angry to stay silent.

Before she looked away, I saw Nanny trying to hide a small smile.

“You’ll pay for this,” Charlotte shouted, near tears. “You think you’ll get away with this? Just wait until Mom hears!”

I walked out of the kitchen before she could say anything else. I couldn’t stay here anymore.

This house wasn’t the same anymore. It felt like a prison. Since my dad died, everything had become toxic.

My mom died in a car accident when I was twelve. Since then, Nanny Anna had raised me like her own child. Isabella used to treat me nicely when she first married my dad. But after he died, she showed her true colors.

I also noticed that my dad’s best friend, Uncle Jacob, came around a lot more after his death. I thought it was strange, but I ignored it, thinking he was just being supportive.

But I couldn’t stop thinking about the night my dad died. I had gone to check on him, like I always did, but he didn’t wake up. There was a glass of juice beside him, which was odd. I tapped him again and again, but he never responded.

That’s when I knew something was wrong.

I’ve always believed his death wasn’t natural. Someone must have killed him. I wasn’t sure if Isabella could be that evil, but I didn’t trust her.

I promised myself I would find out who killed my father, even if it was the last thing I ever did.

I reached my bedroom, went in, and locked the door behind me. I didn’t care what the consequences were. Right now, I needed to think clearly. I had to find a way to leave this house.

“Emily, sweetheart,” Nanny’s voice called from outside my door.

“If Isabella sent you, tell her I’m not coming out,” I replied lazily.

“No, honey. No one sent me. I have something to tell you that might help,” she said gently.

Curious, I got up and opened the door. Nanny walked in, and I locked the door behind her.

“The Belford family is hiring a new maid in their mansion,” Nanny said with a proud smile, like she had just given me the best idea in the world.

“What? Nanny, you want me to work as a maid again?” I asked, placing my hand on my forehead.

Just when I thought she had a good plan, all my hopes were crushed.

“Think, Em. If you leave here, where will you go?” she asked.

“I have some savings in my account,” I answered honestly.

“And when that money runs out, then what?” she said, raising an eyebrow.

I sighed. She had a point. I ran my hands through my hair, frustrated.

“Fine, Nanny. You win,” I muttered.

She smiled in satisfaction. “I’ll give you some time to rest and think before Isabella comes looking for you.”

I opened the door for her and locked it again after she left.

I leaned against the door and slowly slid down to the floor.

How did my life turn out like this?

I used to be my dad’s princess. Everyone treated me with respect. I even graduated with first-class honors from the best university in the city.

And now, here I am, hiding in my room like a prisoner.

“Argh!” I screamed in frustration.

Still, I knew Nanny Anna’s advice was the best option for now. I needed time to plan and take back control of my life.

I lay down on my bed and closed my eyes, waiting for Isabella to come storming in.

“She should enjoy this power while it lasts,” I whispered. “Because I’ll be out of this house soon.”

I started wondering what life at the Belford mansion would be like. I’d heard the heir was arrogant and full of himself, but also very handsome. Would the work be too hard for me?

All these thoughts ran through my head before I slowly drifted to sleep.