Chapter 11
1210 Words
HALE’S VILLA – GUEST HOUSE
My afternoon alarm rang loudly, pulling me out of sleep. I had accidentally dozed off while studying the AI files. I quickly got up, took a fast bath, and changed back into my waiter’s uniform. My shift at Blue Stars Hotel would start soon. I grabbed my small bag and headed for the door when a soft knock sounded.
A maid stood outside, looking nervous. “Miss Lett, Mrs. Hale wants to see you. Please come with me.”
I nodded politely, but inside I was already annoyed. *What does she want now?*
I glanced toward the driveway. Cassian’s black Maybach was gone, which meant he had already left for the office. Of course. Now that he was not around, Hanna wanted to play queen of the house.
I followed the maid into the main villa. The moment I stepped into the elegant living room, I saw Hanna sitting on a luxurious sofa with three other well-dressed women. They all looked rich and sharp, like they had stepped out of a fashion magazine.
I lowered my head slightly and greeted them politely. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Hale. You asked for me?”
Hanna looked me up and down slowly, her eyes cold. She took in my simple waiter’s uniform and old shoes with clear disgust.
“Where are you going dressed like that?” she asked.
“I’m going to work, ma’am,” I replied softly.
She scoffed. “Work? Since my husband was so generous to let you stay in the guest house, you should make yourself useful, shouldn’t you? You can start as a maid for now.”
I was left speechless for a second. *Where on earth did this woman come from?* But I kept my face calm and innocent. “Okay, Mrs. Hale.”
“Good,” she said with a smirk. “Start by serving us.”
I nodded and followed one of the regular maids to the kitchen.
The kitchen was even more beautiful than the one in the guest house — shining marble counters, top-of-the-line equipment, and the smell of expensive food in the air. Some of the kitchen maids looked at me with pity in their eyes. Others stared with open disgust, as if I had brought shame into their perfect world.
I pretended not to notice any of it. I asked a maid quietly, “What does Mrs. Hale want me to serve?”
She handed me a heavy tray of beautifully arranged food and drinks without saying a word.
I started moving back and forth between the kitchen and the dining room, which looked like a five-star restaurant. I placed the dishes carefully on the long table, making sure everything was perfect. When I was finally done, I went back to the living room.
“I’m through, Mrs. Hale,” I said softly.
Hanna nodded. “Stand there and watch us eat.”
I quietly followed them into the dining room and stood near the wall like a servant. The women sat down and began eating while chatting and laughing. After a few minutes, Hanna looked at me.
“Pass me the water.”
I stepped forward, picked up the crystal glass, and carefully handed it to her. But she didn’t hold it properly. The entire glass of water spilled straight onto her expensive dress.
Before I could even process what happened, a sharp slap landed on my face.
The sound echoed in the room. My cheek swelled up immediately. Tears filled my eyes.
“I’m so sorry, Mrs. Hale,” I whispered, my voice shaking.
She slapped me again. Harder.
Then a third time.
She kept slapping me while her friends cheered her on, laughing loudly. It felt like she was releasing all her pent-up anger on me. My mouth started bleeding. Tears fell like pearls down my swollen cheeks.
“I’m sorry… I’m really sorry,” I kept apologizing, but she didn’t stop.
Finally, she shouted for two guards. “Take her outside! Make sure she kneels under the fountain until I say otherwise.”
I begged her immediately. “Please, Mrs. Hale… I’ll be more careful next time. Don’t do this.”
She sneered right in my face. “I’m not punishing you for the water. I’m punishing you for thinking you can replace me in my own home.”
“I never wanted to replace you,” I cried. “I can leave right now and never come back if that’s what you want.”
Hanna laughed bitterly. “Why would I let you do that? That would only make Cassian hate me, and I can’t stand that. So I will punish you instead. I want you to live every day in pain.”
The two guards grabbed my arms and dragged me outside. They threw me roughly under the massive fountain in the courtyard. Cold water poured down on my body from above. I shivered instantly as the water soaked through my uniform.
The guards stood a few steps away, watching me.
I looked at them through the falling water and smiled coldly inside.
*Does Hanna really think she’s in power? Seriously?*
She might not even remember she asked me to kneel here after a few hours. If I had to stay here until Cassian came back, all hell would break loose. Even if they checked the CCTV footage, it would clearly show that she spilled the water on purpose and then beat me.
As for her friends… I really pitied them. They had no idea what kind of storm they were helping to create.
I shivered again, but the afternoon sun made the cold water a little more bearable. My swollen cheeks burned, and my lips tasted of blood, but I stayed on my knees, head slightly bowed, looking every bit the broken, pitiful girl.
Inside, my mind was calm and calculating.
This was actually perfect.
Hanna had just given me another weapon.
When Cassian saw me like this — wet, bruised, kneeling under the fountain because of his wife’s jealousy — his guilt would grow even stronger.
The Ice King who hated bullying would not be able to ignore this.
I lowered my head further, letting the water run down my face, mixing with my tears.
Let Hanna enjoy her little moment of power.
It would cost her everything in the end.
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A Few Hours Later
The sun was beginning to set, but the water kept pouring. My knees hurt badly now, and my body was shivering nonstop. The maids who passed by gave me pitying looks but none dared to help.
I stayed exactly where I was told.
Waiting.
Waiting for the moment Cassian’s car would drive through the gate.
Waiting for the explosion I knew was coming.
Because one thing was certain — the great Ice King was about to see exactly what his wife had done to the fragile girl he had brought into his home.
And when that happened, the crack in their marriage would become a canyon.
I closed my eyes and let another shiver run through me.
*Keep going, Hanna,* I thought silently. *Every slap, every punishment… I’m collecting them all.*
For Marie.
For the pain of twenty years.
- Writer
