LIZ (VICTORIA) POV.I woke up to a cold splash on my face. I gasped, sitting up, using my fingers to wipe water off my cheeks. My surroundings slowly came back into focus as it hit me that it was reality and not a dream at all. “Good morning,” she said calmly, her face hovering close to mine. Her deep brown eyes stared at me, framed by long lashes that seemed to be weighed down by sadness. They depicted not just sadness but experience—experience of hardship and silent battles. I blinked at her, still struggling to shake off the sleepy haze. “Good morning,” I muttered.Hazel just continued staring at me, as if trying to pierce through my mind. I glanced forward, a small plate of rice and chicken catching my attention.“Did you…?” I trailed off, my eyes wandering. My throat suddenly felt dry so I swallowed saliva.“Eat up. You don't want it getting cold.” she said, motioning her head towards the direction of the food. I crawled towards it, my stomach growling impatiently. It wasn’t
LIZ(VICTORIA) POV.“No! I’m not doing it!” I yelled, standing in the mansion’s sitting room, angrily. “You can’t make me!”Hazel didn’t flinch. She crossed her arms, her voice low yet sharp. “You have no choice, Sis. You wanna starve? How else are you gonna feed?”“I don’t care! I’m not cleaning toilets, washing dirty dishes, or scrubbing floors!” My voice cracked.Hazel stepped closer, her eyes narrowing. “Now hear yourself clearly, Liz. What’s your next plan then, huh? You gonna run away? Again?”“Maybe I will!” I snapped, tossing the maid uniform back to her. “Don’t follow me!” I said firmly. I stormed past her, my direction clear. My steps, firm and intentional—each a rebellion against the life being forced upon me. “Liz! Stop right there!” Hazel’s voice rang out behind me, but I didn’t turn back. My eyes fixed on the gate. “Stop following me!” I shouted, quickening up my pace. “Leave me alone!”Hazel caught up, grabbing my arm and spinning me around—I almost tripped. “You have
LIZ POV. Then I saw him. He stood right in front of me, shirtless. The faint glow of light from the hallway caught on the water dripping from his skin. A towel was wrapped loosely around his waist, making it obvious to me that he had just stepped out of the shower. I couldn’t stop my gaze. I started from his feet, moving slowly up. Drops of water slid lazily down his chiseled abs, making the air around me feel heavier. His body looked like it was sculpted gently into perfection. I swallowed hard as my eyes went upward to his face, but his piercing eyes burned into mine with a force that made my heart skip. He had a mask on, but those eyes were sharp. I wanted to look away, but it was hard. A force—an invisible pull—urged me forward. My hands trembled as they moved forward to feel if what I was seeing was real. Before I could, he grabbed my wrist.“Don’t,” he growled. His deep voice sent shivers down my spine. His hands went to my face, his touch—tender. My breath hitched as his
JAKE POV.The water poured over me relentlessly as I stood under the shower, but it wasn’t enough to cool the storm inside me. It had been over a week since I locked myself in my room like a monster. Not a single day passed without regrets. I shouldn’t have gone that night. My fingers tightened into fists. The thought sent a fresh wave of rage through me, causing my fist to slam into the tiled wall. It ached, but it was nothing compared to the fire I still felt on my left face. My fingers grazed the scarred flesh, tracing the rough skin that was once smooth. Once admired. My eyes squeezed shut as tears poured, mingling with the water washing over me. I had risked everything for her, but in the end, I lost everything. I’ll make them all pay. Victoria…Just then, I heard it—a sound. I was certain someone was creeping around in my room. Quickly, I grabbed my towel and my mask, anger burning within me. Slowly, I stepped forward. My gaze over my dimly lit room, then it landed on her
LIZ POV. After our morning duties, it was finally time to eat. We all lined up in the staff’s kitchen, holding a tray. The scent of eggs and toast bread filled the air, but my stomach felt tight. It wasn’t hunger—it was the way the maids kept glancing at me after what had happened earlier. Worst was that Hazel refused to talk to me after everything. She stood few feet away with her arms crossed, acting like I didn’t exist anymore. My heart ached, seeing my own sister ignore me. Suddenly, some maid spoke to me.“Hey, newbie!” A voice rang out. “How the hell did you do it? She asked, tilting her head. I had not been there for long, but I managed to learn their names. Her name was Maya. Before now she’d been ignoring me, but now all of a sudden, she was talking to me.Amber— her friend, spoke next. “Yeah, Liz. How exactly did you pull that off?” I frowned. “Pull what off?” Maya let out a short laugh, exchanging glances with the others. “Oh, come on. Don’t play dumb.” “You went int
LIZ POV.“Liz, wake up!” A voice called out, but I buried my face deeper into my pillow. “I said wake up!” A sharp tap landed on my shoulder. I shot up so fast I almost fell off the bed. “I didn’t go in this time, I swear!” Hazel’s brows pulled together. “Huh?” My heart dropped immediately—shit. Hazel sighed. “You’ve forgotten? The Blackwell family will be returning today! You’re sleeping too much, Liz.”My eyes widened. “Oh my God! Why didn’t you wake me up? And how long have I been asleep?”Hazel shrugged. “I don’t know. Don’t forget—I wake up early before anyone else. Been helping Madam Olivia with some arrangements.” I groaned, swinging my legs off the bed. “How do I face Madam Olivia now? I don’t wanna scrub toilets for waking up late again!” Hazel chuckled, arms crossed. “Well…” she dragged, smirking. “If you hurry and get down there on time, you might make it there before she notices. And maybe—just maybe—I won’t tell on you for being late.” I gasped. “You wouldn’t dar
LIZ POV.“What’s wrong? Want me to help you take it off?” Audrina crouched down, her smirk widening. Anger burned in my veins. I clenched my fist so hard, and for a moment, I wanted to smack that look off her face. “I’ll do it myself,” I said in a low tone. “Oh! Be fast then. You’re wasting time.” She snapped. I glanced at Hazel. She shook her head gently, but enough for me to understand the warning in her eyes. It made me wonder what she was really scared of, and why she looked tense. My hands went to my mask, and I was ready to remove it. Suddenly, the maids and security lowered their heads. What’s going on?“Good evening, Sir.” They greeted in unison. I barely had time to process before Audrina’s excited voice screamed. “Brother!” She practically launched forward, sprinting like a little kid. My eyes snapped towards the new arrival, and the moment I saw who it was, my breath hitched. Even with his mask on, the aura, his broad shoulder, the way he carried himself—Gawwd. H
JAKE POV.The long dining table stretched before me, covered in an extravagant spread. On the table were different kinds of meals—roasted chicken, lobster, caviar, creamy mashed potatoes, ruffled pasta, expensive wine bottles, and so on. Maids stood around us in silence, ready to take orders. While others poured wine into the delicate crystal glasses on the table. This used to feel special. Sitting here and sharing meals with my family. Now, it felt forced—like I wasn’t supposed to be here. I gripped my knife, my fist clenching hard onto the handle as my gaze landed on the man sitting across me—my father. My jaw clenched, along with my fist, but then a flash of cold fingers against mine made me soften. I thought of her again, that maid… Liz. No doubt she had a spell on me, and I couldn’t shake it off. I could still feel the way she trembled under Audrina’s torment—helpless. I was glad I got there just on time to save her from sister’s torment—I couldn’t watch that.A sharp throa
LIZ POV. The bleeding hadn’t stopped. My palm stung like hell, but honestly? I couldn’t even feel it. Not with how fast my heart was beating. Not with Jake’s hand wrapped around mine like he was afraid to let go.I couldn’t take my eyes off him. What just happened?This man—this same man who tore me down just last night, who said I was nothing but a maid, who made me feel so damn small—just announced me in front of his family. Just claimed me—out loud.Not gonna lie, I felt special.He didn’t stop until we were in his room. As soon as the door slammed shut behind us, he turned, held my face in both hands—so gently, like he was scared I’d break—and stared straight into my eyes. His grey eyes were glossier than I’d ever seen them, like he was holding back everything he didn’t say last night. Like he was seconds away from breaking.“I’m so sorry,” he said, voice low. “I’m sorry I spoke to you that way last night, Liz. I swear I— I miss you. I miss you so much.”I didn’t even get the cha
JAKE POV. That night, I’d heard the knock. Not once. Not twice. Four goddamn times. And each time, I sat there, staring at the door like a coward. Heart pounding—fist clenched. Back pressed against the headboard like I needed the wood to hold me down or I’d do something stupid—like open it and pull her straight into my arms.But right before the fifth knock could land, I opened it. I didn’t even think. Her hand was already mid-air. For a second, her face lit up—hopeful.But I shut it all down. I crushed it before she could speak. I told myself it was the right thing to do. That if I wanted to keep her safe from this hellhole of a family, I had to push her away. Be cruel. Be heartless. Anything to make her stay away from me. For now, at least. She’s too soft. Too pure. Too fucking good for all of this. But when I closed that door, I swear, it felt like I’d shut something in me too.I stayed up all night. Sleep? Forget it. I kept seeing her face.The way her eyes watered. The way her
LIZ POV. “Hazel… I can’t promise that.” My voice came out choked, trembling with every word. “Not until you tell me why. Why can’t we ask for help from other people?”Hazel’s eyes widened, brimming with fresh tears. She looked like a trapped bird—frightened, panicked. “Liz, please!”I glanced at her, then at the pale figure in the hospital bed—our mother. My heart dropped. “Liz, I’m serious. I just don’t want anyone interfering with our personal lives.” Hazel said again.I gave her a tight nod. “Okay.”“Promise?” she pressed, voice soft, shaky.I hesitated. Everything in me screamed no. But I nodded again. “Promise.”Hazel threw her arms around me. “Thank you so much, sis. Thank you.”My hand hovered awkwardly behind her back before I finally hugged her. But it didn’t feel right. Something in my gut twisted. Something felt… off. I just couldn’t place it.****We stood at the subway station, tears still fresh on both our cheeks. Hazel wasn’t saying much—neither was I. Then, out of no
LIZ POV. Sundays were supposed to be peaceful, but peace wasn’t what I felt. I’d slept through most of the morning with Hazel, both of us curled up in silence like two broken dolls. For me, sleep was the only way to run away from reality. From the pain I felt in my heart—this gaping hole Jake left in my chest. I kept telling myself it didn’t matter. That last night was just a dream. That maybe he didn’t mean it when he said I was just a maid. Maybe he was angry. Maybe he’d change his mind.But he didn’t. And he wouldn’t.****After lunch, we sat on our beds. Quiet. Heavy. Hazel was clutching that picture again—the one she always carried like it was special. She didn’t even notice me watching her. She just stared at it like it held the answers to everything she ever lost. Sometimes she’d smile at it. Other times, she’d look like she was about to cry. I hated that picture—she hardly even smiled at me. But that damn picture? Whoever was in it, they meant the world to her. I cleared
LIZ POV.It was just another day. Another day for him to walk past me like I was invisible—like I meant absolutely nothing to him.That morning, I’d just finished cleaning the living room—dusted every damn shelf like I was fine, like my heart didn’t ache. I was rounding the corner when I almost bumped into him. “Oh—I… I’m sorry sir,” I murmured, stepping back.If he had scolded me, or even raised his voice at me—told me to look where I was going, maybe it would’ve hurt less.But he didn’t. He didn’t even look at me; he just walked past me like I was insignificant. No glance. No sound. No emotion.I stood there, frozen, my heart clenching. It felt like something inside me was about to collapse.I had regrets. Like maybe… I was the fool. I should’ve never let him touch me at all. I should’ve known better. I was probably just a fling—something for his boredom. ****I cried alone at night—quiet sobs into my pillow, muffled so no one would hear. Hazel had been acting distant lately. I d
JAKE POV“Brother, please, I don’t want you to do something reckless. He’s not worth—”“I said give me his fucking address, Audrina!” I snapped. “Don’t make me repeat myself again.”My voice cracked from the weight of it. Pain. Rage. Guilt. It poured out of me like a flood I couldn’t stop.She flinched. Her eyes were red and puffy, her hand still wrapped tightly in mine. I saw the tremble in her lips as she finally gave in.“Okay… I’ll give it to you.”“Fast,” I growled. My chest was on fire. My hand trembled as I gripped hers. Not too hard. But I needed something to hold onto before I exploded.“But only if you promise me, brother. Promise you won’t do anything reckless. Please.” Her voice cracked. “I don’t wanna lose you.”That I won’t do something reckless? What the hell does that even mean? Was I supposed to go there and hand that bastard a bouquet of flowers?“I’ll try.”She grabbed my hand tighter. “If anything happens to you, Jake… I promise I’ll kill myself.”I froze.“It’s ok
JAKE POV. My phone wouldn’t shut the hell up. I rolled over to the empty space beside me. No Liz. The bedsheets were still warm, so I knew she’d left early. Silly girl. She had me wrapped around her finger, and I couldn’t even fight it.I buried my face into the pillow and smiled like an idiot. God—was I really falling for the maid?But then the ringtone blasted again. Same damn unknown number. I hissed and dragged myself up, groaning as I reached for my phone across the nightstand.“Hello?” I answered, voice rough.“Sir, we have a patient who was just rushed in. Your contact was saved as ‘Big Brother’ on her phone. That’s why we called. Please… come immediately.”I froze. “Wait—what?! What happened? Who is this?”“We’ve emailed the hospital address. You need to come now.”Just like that, the line cut. And just like that, my whole world shattered.I stood there, stiff, numb. I didn’t even realize I wasn’t breathing until the burn hit my lungs. Audrina. It was Audrina. I mean, I had j
LIZ POV. The mansion didn’t feel the same anymore. Something about the air had shifted—it was heavier, more tense. Everyone looked like they were walking on glass, even the ones who used to laugh too loud in the hallways. Mrs. Blackwell’s mood had been unpredictable. She had been a storm cloud all week, snapping at the maids, firing people for breathing wrong, and hiring new ones almost immediately. Mr. Blackwell was worse—he didn’t yell, but the silence around him was terrifying.And Hazel… she was quieter now. She barely talked, and when she did, it wasn’t really her. She’d been in and out of the mansion lately, always claiming she was fine. I asked her a hundred times to take me to Mom. She just kept repeating, “When the time’s right.”Right time? What the hell did that even mean? I needed a right time to go see my own mother?And as for Jake, he’s been buried in work ever since he resumed. I barely even see him these days. I missed him. More than I cared to admit. Most nights, I
AUDRINA POV.Just like that… she walked away. My own mother. I knew it was going to turn out bad. I expected nothing, but I didn’t expect the worst—this was worse than I expected. I stayed frozen, not even blinking. The silence that followed was loud—louder than the yelling had been.Jake reached across the table and pulled me into his arms, like he knew I’d fall apart without him. And maybe I really would’ve. More tears fell. They wouldn’t stop. I felt my heart crack open and everything was spilling out.“Shhhh… it’s okay, Princess. I’m here with you.” His voice was soft but strong. I pulled back just slightly, my words slurring through the sobs. “How come you don’t hate me, brother? I brought shame home… I’m a disgrace.”He held my cheeks gently, forcing me to look at him. “Hate you? No, Princess. Never.” His eyes were glassy. “I’m gonna be an uncle soon. Isn’t that great?”And then, he smiled. A real smile. “Damn, I’m gonna finally be a cool uncle. Wow… thank you, Princess.”Some