was colder

I couldn't feel warm. My thoughts were louder than

-night m

r of a pro

you. I could turn you

other's

too much, promise

ck to me

nd turned, eventually curling int

s, or the people who never had to fight to survive. But leaving wasn't an

choice bu

ce but

rned into a smile. My dete

y uniform, tied my hair back neatly, and stepped out of the room. The man

more introductions. No more adj

observe our seniors carefully. Watch what the

eated on the bed, her fingers tightly clenched. She wasn

't the Em

What's wrong?" I aske

l of fear. "Lily, I made a mistake. A terrible

happ

n his foot. I didn't see him comin

supposed to be o

es were so cold. So terrifying. Like a lion. No-worse. Like somet

mma, are you

begging with me. And after... they said he ac

t that

do, don't cross him.

assigned t

e yourself. And still–be careful. I'm sti

er palms together. "St

're still thinking about ho

s crazy... but there's something a

her. He was cold, yes. But he was also

im? Is he no longer

er. She's in a nursing home now. I had to start working to support her... and my little sis

She raised me alone... and now she's sick. In the hospital. The bills are overwhelming, and

y," She w

her friends?

d their be

ook at me if she knew the full truth. If she knew everything that

-

the senior maids appr

rl next to her, "but something came up. Help her out. Here's the key to

"Whose ro

asti

art s

g master

asn't around. Ma

quiet hallway. When I reached his door, I d

young master... leav

ht aside. My job wa

stepped in, som

scattered clothes. Just a simple bed, a neatly folded shi

n... I

different parts of the mansion. A table nearby cluttered wit

e in

.. stru

rom my hand. I bent to pick it up-and th

Filled with c

ug

...

tian a dr

as he a

y made sense. My pulse quickened. I backed a

do

st any

rint and facial recognition. A secured

he hiding

tep forward-

, cold voice sha

o are

fr

n't ju

ralyzes you when you sense som

d... Who

ned s

yes locked onto mine, cold and unreadable, burnin

m Lily. A maid. I was t

d again... who are you to

t. My knees threatened to give way. His voice was a slow, furiou

et r

I stepp

in t

o

more than