Episode 9
1050 Words
The following week brought no peace — only storms disguised as days. The mansion that once carried laughter and light now echoed with David’s harsh commands and cruel laughter. He had turned the house into a battlefield of ego and pride.
Ever since the incident in the main hall, Lydia had become quieter, moving like a shadow. The servants spoke in whispers when she passed by, not out of malice but pity. Everyone saw how David used her to release his anger, and no one dared to intervene.
Jacob, however, had grown restless. He spent long nights awake, studying the company’s files, realizing that David’s arrogance wasn’t just destroying their home — it was slowly destroying the family business too.
David had started making reckless decisions at Martin & Sons Limited. He hosted unnecessary events, spent company funds on lavish parties, and made deals with shady business partners who flattered his ego.
And when Jacob tried to warn him, the response was always the same — mockery.
One morning, Jacob walked into the study, holding a folder of reports. David was reclining on the couch, whiskey in one hand and his phone in the other.
“David, we need to talk,” Jacob said, setting the folder on the table.
David didn’t even look up. “If it’s about money again, save it. I’m doing just fine.”
“You’re not,” Jacob replied firmly. “You’ve spent nearly two million in one weeks on parties and gifts. The company can’t sustain that.”
David smirked. “I’m expanding connections. That’s called networking, brother.”
“Networking doesn’t mean buying people’s loyalty,” Jacob said sharply.
David finally looked up, his expression cold. “Don’t lecture me, Jacob. You think you’re smarter than me, don’t you?”
“I think you’re losing control,” Jacob replied quietly. “And if Father finds out—”
David slammed his glass down, the sound echoing across the room. “Father isn’t here! I’m the one in charge now. This house, this company — everything is mine.”
Jacob stared at him. “No, David. It’s ours. And you’re destroying it.”
David stood up, stepping closer until they were inches apart. “Be careful, brother. I might start thinking you want to take my place.”
Jacob’s voice remained calm. “I don’t want your place. I just want peace.”
David smirked, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “Then maybe you should leave. Because peace doesn’t live here anymore.”
That night, David hosted yet another party at the mansion. Loud music filled the halls. The laughter of strangers echoed in rooms that once knew respect. The servants were forced to work past midnight, serving drinks and food to people who barely noticed them.
Lydia stood by the kitchen door, clutching a tray, her eyes filled with quiet pain. She could see David dancing with different women, boasting about his wealth, laughing as if he ruled the world.
She caught sight of Jacob standing in a corner, refusing to join the chaos. His eyes met hers briefly, and she could see the same sadness she felt — a shared exhaustion of the soul.
When David noticed her watching, his smile twisted into something dark.
He called out loudly, “Lydia! Come here!”
The music paused slightly, and people turned their heads as Lydia walked forward nervously.
David picked up his glass. “Ladies and gentlemen, this is our hardworking maid,” he said with a mocking grin. “She’s been with us for months. Always quiet, always obedient. Tell me, Lydia, do you ever get tired of cleaning up after others?”
The guests chuckled awkwardly. Lydia’s face burned.
Jacob stepped forward immediately. “David, that’s enough.”
David ignored him. “Oh, relax, Jacob. We’re just having fun.” He turned back to Lydia. “You don’t mind, do you?”
Lydia looked down, her voice trembling. “No, sir.”
“Good girl,” David said with a smirk. “Now pour me another drink.”
Her hands shook as she filled his glass. When she turned to leave, he added cruelly, “Don’t spill it this time. You know how clumsy you can be.”
Laughter rippled through the room, shallow and cruel.
Jacob could take no more. “You’re humiliating her for your own amusement,” he snapped.
David turned, his eyes gleaming with mockery. “You seem to care a lot for the help. Maybe you should marry her, brother. That would make a great headline — ‘Martin heir falls for the maid.’”
Gasps filled the room. Lydia froze. Tears welled up in her eyes as she rushed out, unable to bear the shame.
Jacob’s fists clenched. “You’ve gone too far this time, David.”
David shrugged. “It was just a joke.”
Jacob stepped closer. “No. It was cruelty — and one day, it’ll destroy you.”
He walked away, leaving David surrounded by his shallow guests, the laughter fading into uneasy silence.
Later that night, when the mansion finally quieted, Jacob found Lydia sitting by the fountain outside, the moonlight reflecting off her tear-streaked face.
“I’m sorry,” he said softly. “You didn’t deserve that.”
Lydia shook her head. “You don’t have to apologize, Jacob. It’s not your fault.”
“It feels like it is,” he murmured. “I should’ve stopped him sooner.”
She looked at him, her voice trembling. “Why does he hate me so much?”
Jacob sighed. “Because you remind him of everything he’s lost — decency, humility, kindness. You make him feel small, and he hates that.”
Lydia wiped her tears, forcing a small smile. “Then maybe I should try to stay invisible again.”
Jacob looked at her, his voice low and sincere. “Don’t. You deserve to be seen, Lydia — for who you truly are.”
Their eyes met again, and for a moment, time stopped. There was something fragile yet powerful in the silence between them. Something neither of them dared to name.
But in the shadows of the mansion, David watched from his window, his heart twisting with envy and hatred.
And with every beat, his cruelty deepened.
- Writer
