At the mansion, Alina had barely slept. The tears had eventually stopped sometime around three AM, leaving her hollow and exhausted, staring at the ceiling until pale light began filtering through the curtains.She heard footsteps in the corridor around seven. Expected Mrs. Helen's familiar knock.Instead, a timid tap. Too light. Too hesitant."Come in," Alina said, her voice rough from crying.The door opened to reveal one of the younger maids. Sarah, maybe. Or Julia. Alina had never been good with the junior staff names—they rotated so frequently.The girl carried a breakfast tray with both hands, eyes down, movements careful."Good morning, Ma'am," she said quietly, setting the tray on the desk without looking up."Where's Mrs. Helen?" Alina asked.The girl flinched slightly. "Mrs. Helen has been reassigned to other areas of the house, Ma'am. I'll be attending to your meals from now on.""Reassigned." Alina repeated the word flatly. "By whose order?""Mr. Blackwood's, Ma'am." Still
Read more