جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 40

Someone knocked softly on my door and looked up from my tea. "Come in," I said. The door opened and the young maid from earlier stepped inside. Her eyes were still red from crying, but she looked a little better now. "Mrs. Gabrielle," she whispered. She closed the door behind her. "I…I wanted to thank you properly." I put down my cup and stood up. "You don't have to thank me." "Yes, I do," she said. Her voice was shaking. "You saved me and my job. I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't helped." I walked over and took her hands. "What's your name?" "Lucia," she said softly. "Lucia," I said, squeezing her fingers gently. "Listen to me what happened was an accident and anyone could have made that mistake. You don't deserve to lose your job over a broken vase." Tears ran down her cheeks again. "But now you have to pay for it. I heard what Mrs. Rosa said. That is so much money." I forced a smile. "Your job and your brother are more important." Lucia's fa

I stood there long after the maid walked out through the servants' entrance. I closed my eyes. How could Damiano be this blind?He had watched Elena humiliate that poor girl and heard every cruel word she said to her, and still, he chose Elena. Slowly, I walked back to my room and shut the door behind me. I leant against the door and slid down until I was sitting on the floor.My eyes drifted to the wedding ring on my finger. I twisted it slowly, watching the light catch the small diamonds.This ring was supposed to mean love; that's what they told me. It was supposed to be a symbol of forever, of two people choosing each other.Instead, it felt like a chain. A beautiful, sparkling chain that reminded me that every day I was trapped.I crawled onto the bed and pulled the blanket over myself. The fabric was soft against my skin, but it didn't bring me any comfort.I stared at the empty space ; every time I closed my eyes, another painful memory found me.I saw my father's hard face,

My hands tightened around the box of crayons."We need to talk," he repeated. I forced my fingers to stay still even though they were shaking. Damiano stood in front of me with his hands in his pockets; his eyes stayed on me, then dropped to my pocket again."Who was that woman?" he asked quietly.My throat went dry. If he found out about the job offer, Rosa and Elena would never let me hear the end of it. I forced a small smile."Nobody."His eyebrows lifted. "Nobody?""Just someone who liked the way I was helping the children," I replied. "She admired the drawings. That's all."His gaze searched my face as if he could see through every word I said. "And she gave you a business card because she admired your drawings?"I looked away. "It wasn't important."For a moment, neither of us spoke. The sounds of laughter from the children filled the silence between us. He looked like he wanted to ask another question, his lips parting, but then he stopped himself and let out a slow breath

He paused at the door and looked back at me, his hand still on the doorknob. The question I wanted to ask felt heavy in my chest."Thank you," I whispered. For checking on me and for making me feel like I wasn't completely invisible.His eyes softened for a brief moment. "You don't have to thank me."He gave me one last look before opening the door. "Good night, Gabrielle."The door closed quietly behind him. I lay back on the bed and pulled the blanket over myself, but sleep came only in short, restless moments. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Elena's face; her voice echoed over and over until morning finally came.I woke before sunrise, and the mansion was still quiet. Working always helped me forget my thoughts, so I quickly dressed and went downstairs.The kitchen was already busy as servants hurried from one side to another carrying trays and arranging flowers. Tonight was another family dinner. Rosa believed every dinner had to look perfect.I quietly joined the others, help

The guard froze with his phone still in his hands.No one spoke; even Rosa looked surprised. She turned sharply toward her son."What do you mean, wait?Damiano didn't answer her immediately. His eyes stayed on me. I couldn't read the expression on his face, and that scared me even more.The silence stretched until Rosa lost her patience."The necklace was found under her mattress," she snapped. "What else do you need before calling the police?"Damiano finally looked at her. "I need to be sure.""You already are.""No." His voice stayed calm. "I'm not."Rosa stared at him in disbelief. "The evidence is right in front of you.""you're only protecting her."she said."I'm not protecting her,the evidence proves the necklace was in Gabrielle's room. " He paused. "It doesn't prove she put it there."A wave of whispers spread among the servants. Hope flickered inside me for the first time since this nightmare began. Rosa folded her arms. "So what are you suggesting?"Before Damiano could a