Chapter Five
948 Words
The Queen and the Servant
Three days later, the Hart mansion was filled with music, laughter, and the clinking of crystal glasses.
Vanessa was hosting a party.
Not Elena.
Vanessa.
As though she were the lady of the house.
Servants hurried through the mansion carrying trays of food and expensive wine while wealthy guests filled the grand ballroom.
Everyone knew Vanessa was Adrian's mistress.
Yet nobody seemed shocked.
Nobody seemed bothered.
Money had a way of making people ignore uncomfortable truths.
Elena stood quietly near the staircase, wearing a simple blue dress.
She hadn't wanted to attend.
But Adrian had ordered her to stay.
"You're my wife," he had said coldly.
"People will ask questions if you disappear."
His wife.
Only useful when appearances mattered.
Meanwhile, Vanessa floated through the crowd like a queen.
A sparkling gold gown hugged her figure. Diamonds glittered around her neck and wrists.
Guests surrounded her, laughing at her jokes and praising her beauty.
Elena felt invisible.
A servant accidentally bumped into her.
"Sorry, Mrs. Hart."
Elena smiled gently.
"It's okay."
The servant looked relieved before hurrying away.
Moments later, Vanessa's voice rang through the room.
"Elena!"
Every conversation seemed to pause.
Heat crept into Elena's cheeks.
She hated when Vanessa called attention to her.
Still, she walked over.
"Yes?"
Vanessa smiled sweetly.
A dangerous smile.
The kind Elena had learned to fear.
"Could you bring me another glass of champagne?"
The room fell silent.
Several guests exchanged uncomfortable glances.
Because everyone knew Elena was Adrian's wife.
Not a servant.
Yet Vanessa was treating her like one.
Elena's hands tightened slightly.
For a moment, she considered refusing.
Just once.
Just one tiny act of rebellion.
Then Adrian looked at her.
One cold glance.
And her courage disappeared.
"I'll get it."
Vanessa's smile widened.
"Thank you."
Elena walked away.
Her heart felt heavier with every step.
A few minutes later, she returned with the champagne.
Vanessa accepted it without even saying thank you.
The humiliation burned.
But Elena remained silent.
As always.
Then something unexpected happened.
A man's voice spoke from nearby.
"Interesting."
Everyone turned.
A tall man in a black suit stood near one of the marble pillars.
His expression was calm, but his eyes were sharp.
Intelligent.
Observant.
He had clearly witnessed everything.
Vanessa frowned.
"What is?"
The man took a sip of his drink.
"I've attended many parties."
His gaze shifted to Elena.
"But this is the first time I've seen a wife treated like household staff."
An awkward silence followed.
Several guests suddenly became fascinated by their drinks.
Others looked away entirely.
Vanessa's smile faltered.
Adrian's face darkened immediately.
"And who exactly are you?" he asked.
The man extended his hand.
"Daniel Cole."
Adrian recognized the name instantly.
Daniel was a successful entrepreneur who had recently returned from abroad.
His company had become one of the fastest-growing businesses in the country.
Daniel smiled politely.
"I didn't mean to offend anyone."
His eyes briefly met Elena's.
Something about that look startled her.
Not because it was romantic.
It wasn't.
It was kind.
Simply kind.
And she couldn't remember the last time a stranger had looked at her that way.
Vanessa quickly laughed.
"Oh, you're misunderstanding."
She wrapped her arm around Adrian.
"Elena doesn't mind helping."
Daniel raised an eyebrow.
"Really?"
Nobody answered.
Because nobody knew what to say.
The silence spoke louder than words.
Eventually Daniel gave a small nod.
"I see."
But the expression on his face said otherwise.
He didn't believe a word of it.
The party continued, but something had changed.
The uncomfortable truth had been exposed.
At least for a moment.
Later that evening, Elena slipped out onto the balcony for fresh air.
The noise from the party faded behind her.
For the first time all night, she could breathe.
She leaned against the railing and looked up at the stars.
The cool breeze felt wonderful against her skin.
"Beautiful view."
She jumped.
Daniel stood nearby.
Holding a glass of water.
Not wine.
Water.
He seemed to prefer observing rather than celebrating.
"I'm sorry," he said. "I didn't mean to startle you."
"It's okay."
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Daniel looked toward the city lights.
"You seem unhappy."
The question surprised her.
Most people never noticed.
Or pretended not to.
Elena forced a smile.
"I'm fine."
Daniel chuckled softly.
"No, you're not."
The honesty caught her off guard.
She looked away.
"You don't even know me."
"That's true."
He nodded.
"But sometimes strangers notice things that friends miss."
A sad smile touched Elena's lips.
If only he knew.
Her friends noticed.
Especially Mira.
The problem was that Elena never listened.
Daniel glanced toward the ballroom.
"May I ask something?"
Elena hesitated before nodding.
"Why do you stay?"
The question struck her like lightning.
Why did she stay?
Because she loved Adrian?
Because she was afraid?
Because she didn't know how to leave?
Even now, she wasn't sure.
Before she could answer, the balcony door suddenly opened.
Adrian.
His expression was icy.
His eyes immediately landed on Daniel.
Then Elena.
The atmosphere changed instantly.
Dangerously.
"There you are," Adrian said.
Elena's stomach tightened.
She knew that tone.
Daniel noticed it too.
The businessman calmly straightened his jacket.
"It was nice meeting you, Mrs. Hart."
Then he walked away.
Leaving Elena alone with her husband.
Adrian stepped closer.
Too close.
His jaw clenched.
"What were you talking about?"
"Nothing."
His eyes narrowed.
"I told you not to get friendly with other men."
Elena's heart sank.
She hadn't done anything wrong.
Yet somehow she already felt guilty.
And as Adrian's anger grew, she couldn't shake the feeling that tonight's party was only the beginning of a much bigger storm.
- Writer
