Chapter 3 - The Inner Circle
The transition was jarring. Maya moved from the servants' quarters to a room closer to the family wing. Her duties changed from "housekeeper" to "exclusive aide." The staff whispered, and Evelyn, now relegated to the guest quarters herself, glared from the hallways.
Dominic became a constant, shadow-like presence. He was testing her. He took her to meetings, forcing her to learn the geography of his business dealings. He wanted to see if she was a spy, or if she was truly as selfless as she acted.
One evening, he found her reading poetry to Vincent in the study. Dominic stood in the doorway, watching his grandfather smile—a genuine, toothless grin he hadn't seen since his grandmother died. Dominic realized that Maya wasn't just saving his grandfather; she was saving the piece of humanity he thought he’d lost.
