The sound of the door closing sounded through the grand hallway of the mansion, signaling the departure of Annie’s mother. Catherina, standing in the shadows of the doorway, waited until the footsteps faded into the distance. The moment the coast was clear, she turned sharply, her heels clicking against the polished marble floors as she made her way towards the inner chambers of the house.
But just as she took her first few steps, another figure appeared before her. Andria, the young maid, her dark brown eyes wide with caution, approached from the other end of the corridor. The faint rustle of her uniform was barely audible against the silence of the mansion.
“Don’t you think you should inform Miss Annie that her mother came around, now that she’s back in the mansion?” Andria asked, her
