The maid’s secret

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Damian’s POV

The door clicked shut softly after Lily slipped out, leaving behind a faint trail of crumbs and the echo of her laughter.

The study was silent again. But it wasn’t the same silence as before.

Her words lingered like smoke.

You’re not as scary as everyone says.

You’re nice. Just lonely.

Lonely.

I leaned back in my chair, running a hand across my jaw. No one spoke to me that way—not board members, not employees, not even so-called friends. Fear was the language of this house. Respect, distance, obedience. That was how things stayed in order.

And yet, one small child sat in front of me with her doll and her biscuits and saw through it all.

I should’ve sent her away the moment she walked in. Instead, I let her stay. Worse—I ate her snack.

Pathetic.

With a frustrated growl, I shoved the untouched papers aside and stood, pacing across the study. I tried to shake her voice from my head, but it clung stubbornly.

You’re nice.

I wasn’t nice. I hadn’t been for years.

My gaze caught on the security monitor glowing in the corner of the room. Out of habit, my eyes searched for her mother.

Amelia.

There she was, in the grainy footage—walking down the corridor, clutching a basket of folded linens. Head bowed. Movements quiet, measured. Always trying not to be seen.

But I saw her.

I found myself watching her too often these days. More than I should. There was something about her presence—something that felt… unsettling. Familiar, even.

And I hated it.

I forced myself to turn away, jaw tightening. She was just another maid. Nothing more.

Still, as I sat back down, I realized with irritation that I was waiting.

Waiting for the sound of small footsteps returning. Waiting for that child to burst through the silence again.

And for reasons I couldn’t explain, I didn’t mind.