Elara's POV,
"Elara!" She stumbles before catching herself. "Is that you, Elara?"
"Yes, Lucy." I choke back a sob. "It's me."
~ ~ A DAY BEFORE
"Lucy…"
My voice falters as I read further. Lucy comes back to me the way unfinished things always do. Inevitably.
I had found her name buried in old staff records while tracing a different thread, one of many small cruelties the Virelli household dressed up as discipline.
I remember everything.
I remember her hands first. Always warm and steady. The way she slipped extra bread onto my plate without the others knowing. The way she spoke to me was like a person, not an inconvenience or a mistake. In a mansion built on power, Lucy had been gentle. I remember the night I was locked in the shack again for "burning Anya's uniform". Lucy had lit a candle and snuck in to stay with me.
I remember the stories she told me. How she made me laugh. How I cried on her shoulder. How I confided in her that I hated my life.
I remember how I saw her as my mother.
But that night cost her everything. She was fired and disgraced by Matteo. He made sure she got no preferences.
All because she was human amongst monsters. I remember crying and kicking against the hold of one of my father's men.
"You!" He had seethed, then grabbed my ear. "You are a disgrace! Leaching off a housemaid?"
"How disgusting!" Dorine had snickered. "She should be sent to an orphanage home to be their maid. Maybe she'd get to have friends there, too."
Anya laughed, and together they walked back inside. Like the perfect family. Leaving me out there, wondering if I'd ever find a place in the world I could call my home.
Not just that, but would it last?
I don't hesitate.
Of course, I track her easily. Ordinary people leave soft footprints. She is working two jobs now. Cleaning during the day and watching someone else's children at night. Still the caring Lucy I know.
The next day, I drive over to the hotel she was cleaning for and wait till her shift is over. I wait for over three hours and almost miss her coming out. She's smiling and laughing with two women who look a bit younger than her. They stop and go the opposite direction, while she checks her phone with squinting eyes.
I decide I'd looked like a stalker enough and got down to meet her.
"Lucy Morti?"
She turns abruptly, and her eyes widen. "Yes? That's me."
My inner balloon deflates, and my smile falls. Ah, yes, of course she wouldn't recognise me. Blonde hair, not to mention I'm all grown up now.
"Young lady." She says softly. "You're wasting my time here."
I bring out the Kórvac family card quickly. "So sorry for the delay, I'm sure you want to get back to your old job, but there's no need for that."
She takes the card, and her eyes go wide with recognition. "Kórvac?"
"Yes." I nod. "You've received a lot of stars from your old job, so we invite you to take care of the heir of the Kórvac family."
She slowly returns the card. "Now I know you're a fraud. Lucien Kórvac isn't married."
I almost panic as she turns to leave. "Wait! Just follow me. You can place the police on speed dial, and if I'm lying, report me."
She stops and stares at me, still clearly unsure. I kick myself inwardly. I made a terrible decision to put this as plan B.
But to my surprise, she says. "Okay."
I drive her to the mansion in silence. I know she keeps stealing glances at me, and to be honest, I find it amusing. Her phone is clutched in her hands like a gun, and at a point, I scoff.
So ridiculous.
When we finally get to the mansion, her mouth drops open for a second before snapping back shut. She mutters something.
"What?" I ask as I park the car in the lot.
"I said," She repeats. "I never thought I'd live to see the Kórvac's mansion."
I smirk, "How are you so sure this is the mansion?"
Her eyes widen in fear, and I laugh. "Relax, I didn't trick you."
We get out of the car, and I lead her towards the mansion silently. I can tell she is still suspicious, and I grimace. If she's so cautious, why did she follow me all the way here? I need to teach her security lessons if she's going to be Asher's grandmother.
The thought nags as I swipe my card and the doors glide open. Lucy stiffens beside me. Her shoulders pull tight, like she's expecting to be dragged into something she can't escape.
"Still want the police on speed dial?" I ask lightly.
She swallows. "I… I don't understand."
I gesture towards the steps, then continue to take her to Asher.
Lucy's shoes are now slow against the marble floor, every step careful. I recognise that walk. It's the same one I still have. The walk of someone who knows this place can swallow you whole.
A voice cuts through the silence.
"Mummy?"
I stop in my tracks when Asher comes out of his father's room. Lucy stumbles beside me, then catches herself.
"Baby." I coo, reaching out to hug him as he rubs his eye violently. He just likely woke up. "Why aren't you in your room?"
Before he can reply, Lucien comes out of his room. I freeze for just a second, then shake my head. It's been a week since Lucien and I met eye-to-eye. A week and two days.
I daresay…it's been too quiet.
"He wanted to sleep with me." He says, coming closer to pat Asher's head. We are so close now, I can breathe him in. I look up to see him already looking at me. I take an abrupt step back and steal a glance at Lucy, who looks like she's seen a ghost.
"Mummy, who's that?" Asher asks first. Of course, he did. I open my mouth to introduce her, but I pause. Lucy knew me.
Me, as in, Elara Virelli.
I couldn't introduce her or myself in front of Asher because… Lucien. Asher is still staring, curiosity written all over his face. Even Lucien's eyes narrow. I beam and hook my hand around his.
"Mi rey!" I slur, and Lucien's eyes shoot to mine. Of course, he is surprised. But he is a smart man. "Remember when I talked to you about finding someone to take care of Asher for us?"
We never had any conversation. Lucien gives me a tight-lipped smile. "Of course, Cara."
"Yes." I stretch a hand towards Lucy and grin. "Noemi gave the recommendation! Her name is Lucy, and I trust Noemi."
Lucy is entirely confused and opens her mouth to probably say she doesn't know any Noemi, but Asher speaks up.
"You smell like oranges." He tilts his head. Lucy lets out a startled laugh and bends to ruffle Asher's hair.
"Is that… good?"
He considers, humming. "Mama smells like roses. Oranges are nicer."
I coo, placing a hand on my chest. "Aw, isn't this great? Already getting along."
Lucy straightens her dress and clears her throat. Before she can speak again, I turn to Lucien with beady eyes. "Mi Rey. Please take Asher away. I want to speak with Lucy alone."
I step away from him and go to take Lucy's hands.
"Pardon me—"
She is cut off when Lucien gently grabs me by the waist to look at him. "Cara, let's talk first."
"Mi Rey." I sweetly call and place a hand on his bicep. Then I squeeze firmly. "Surely you can survive a few minutes without me. I just want to show her the ropes."
My eyes scream, 'Let me go now! I can do this all day.'
To my surprise, he smirks and bends to peck my cheek.
At least, that's what it looks like to Asher and Lucy, but he whispers, "You have ten minutes, Solis."
"I'll stay as long as I want to, Kórvac." I hiss silently back, and I feel his mouth curve up against my skin. He gently rubs his chin on my nape, and I feel a sensation run through my spine, so I bite at his earlobe.
I intend to make it painful, but my body does something different. I bite it gently, almost seductively, and stick my tongue out to lick the spot below it.
He breathes down on my neck, mutters something before rising. I catch a glimpse of his pink ears before he takes Asher and leads him away.
I'd have felt glum if only my cheeks weren't also pink. I mean, what did he mean by that phrase?
~~"Careful. You won't handle what you just triggered."