Chapter 1 - The Wooden Puzzle
Leo didn’t nod, but his eyes darted to the wooden puzzle box and then back to Elena. That was all the confirmation she needed.
Elena pulled the heavy stool over, reached the top shelf, and brought down the intricately carved wooden cube. She blew a thin layer of dust off its surface—proof that the other maids skipped the high shelves in the east wing, assuming the boy would never know the difference. She placed it on the tray attached to his wheelchair.
For a long moment, Leo just stared at it. His frail fingers twitched. Slowly, he reached out, touching the carved grooves. He didn't have the finger strength to slide the heavy interlocking pieces, but the sheer concentration on his face was the most life Elena had seen in him since she started working at the Sterling estate.
Footsteps echoed in the hallway. The sharp, rhythmic clicking of designer heels.
Leo’s hand snatched back from the box. His shoulders hiked up to his ears, his body vibrating with that familiar, silent terror.
Elena smoothly grabbed the puzzle box, tucked it into the deep pocket of her apron, and immediately began fluffing his pillows just as Victoria Sterling swept into the room.
"What are you doing in here?" Victoria demanded, her eyes narrowing as they darted from Elena to Leo.
"Just changing the pillowcases, Mrs. Sterling," Elena said, keeping her voice even and subservient. "The previous ones smelled a bit stale."
"I did not ask you to evaluate the linen rotation, Elena. I asked you to clean the floors," Victoria snapped. She checked her diamond-studded watch. "Arthur is calling from Tokyo in ten minutes. I need Leo prepped and looking presentable. Wipe his face. He looks flushed."
Victoria didn't look at Leo as she spoke. She talked about him like he was a defective piece of furniture.
"Yes, ma'am," Elena said. She took a warm, damp cloth and gently dabbed Leo’s forehead. He was sweating, his heart rate visibly elevated on the bedside monitor.
Victoria stepped closer to the bed, lowering her voice. "And Elena? If you ever take it upon yourself to 'entertain' my stepson again, I won't just fire you. I will make sure the police investigate the missing silverware I've noticed lately. Do we understand each other?"
Elena’s blood ran cold. It was a blatant, fabricated threat. She knows I suspect her, Elena realized. And she’s warning me to back off.
"Understood, Mrs. Sterling," Elena murmured, keeping her eyes cast down.
May you like
As Victoria turned to leave the room to take her husband's call, Elena brushed her hand against Leo's. The boy’s pinky finger curled weakly, hooking around Elena’s thumb. It was a plea. A desperate, silent tether.
I'm not going anywhere, Elena promised silently. Not until she’s gone.
