na'

ely and utter

entire twenty-one years on this earth. What I needed more than anything r

y twin little brothers would be bouncing off t

corner, a group of teenagers were laughing so loudly they sounded like they needed urgent psychiat

.. my

the window, desperately trying to snatch a ten-minute nap. But just as

nown n

r trying to rip me off. But something

onal voice spoke through the receiver. "This is the se

they already rejected my application? Was I not good enough? Was it be

nd requested to interview you today," she continued smoothly

heck my cheap wrist wat

officially crossed the line from e

own the sidewalk like Usain Bolt himself, bursting through ou

out of my closet, searching for an

e watched me throw a faded t-shirt onto the floor. "Why a

terview! Like... i

she asked, bewildered. "W

morning-I couldn't bring myself to break her heart. "I'll expla

wardrobe change so badly. Worse, the few nice shirts I owned were far too form-fitting. The last thing I wanted was

a soft v

, vintage crimson-red dress. The fabric was soft and it was mo

your age," Mom smiled gently.

perfectly to my frame without hugging my curves too aggressively.

solute magic, sweeping my thick wavy red h

ucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "

whispered, my voice cracking slightly. "Wh

eting my eyes in the mirror with so much prid

s parked comfortably near our curb. Just the tires on that

k uniform stepped out and opened

," I murmure

, her jaw practically resting on the floor in absolute shock.

ly blew me a good-luck kiss through the air, and I

xpensive leather. A mini television screen was embedded into the backrest of

ling hills, oak trees, and lush shrubs. We had left

a towering heavy iron gates inscribed

ere have I heard t

estate wasn't a house-it was a huge, stone palace. In the center of the grand courtyar

very corner of the property, their han

, and a buzz cut approached the passenger door, pulling it open. He loo

oldly. No introduction

car and following him through the op

were stationed everywhere, guards stood at every exit, expensive antique vas

alcony. Standing in the shadows was a tall, dark silhouette, watching my every step wit

. Standing near a desk was an older woman in her early seventies, I guess. She

ar," she greeted me warmly. "I am Ma

eet you, Madame Stell

n of personal nanny to Lady Lucia Marino," Stella explained, her express

nstantly r

esco

o family wasn't just wealthy-they were the most

hen I was little. Francesco Marino was a monst

n death warrant by ge

la admitted, exchanging an uneasy glance with the tall bodyguard by

round and run for my life. But then I thought of Mom, working herself to the bone, and my twin brothers

a spoiled kid, mind my own bu

iew start, ma'am?" I

a mysterious,

eady starte

a tiny pair of shoes clicked sharpl

Tap

stepped in

g pink floral shoes, and her dark hair was styled into a high ponytail tied wit

e and offered a br

rified of? I thought, feeling a su

rk eyes narrowed, sizing me up from my hair

he five-year-old