The night air outside the estate was thick and cold, tasting faintly of salt and smoke from the bonfires that still burned near the security posts. Damien stood at the center of the room, the dim yellow lights flickering across his face as he stared at the trembling maid seated before him. Her name was Maria, one of the oldest servants in the house. For years, she had served them tea, ironed their suits, and swept the long marble halls without question. They instantly recognized her after seeing the cctv footage, the woman Lila followed outside the estate.
He never wanted to suspect the ones closest to him, but the truth was always crueler than the lies people told to survive.
“Maria,” Damien began, his voice calm but edged with something sharp. “You’ve been with us for years. You know w
