"Yes, ma’am," Anna replied evenly, though her eyes flicked toward Rebecca with an edge of steel. She didn’t like being looked down on, especially when Rebecca had just said, so casually, that Anna was beneath her.

Of course, she knew she wasn’t rich like the Morgans. She didn’t live in a mansion, didn’t have rows of maids or chauffeurs, and her clothes were plain compared to Rebecca’s designer wardrobe. But still, to throw that in her face, as if wealth was the only measure of worth? That was too cruel. The admiration Anna had once felt for Rebecca crumbled in that instant, replaced with something bitter. In the end, all rich people were the same. Trash dressed in gold.

"Am I allowed to stay with my father during his spine surgery?" Anna asked cautiously, her voice quieter than before. She clasped her hands together, forcing herself to meet Rebecca’s eyes. "I’m the only one he has."

Rebecca leaned back on the velvet armchair, one leg crossed carelessly over the other, her stiletto heel glinting in the light. She had her feet propped on the polished mahogany table, the sharp point of her shoe aimed directly at Anna like a weapon. Her gaze lingered on Anna for a long, uncomfortable silence. Finally, she exhaled through her nose, slow and sharp.

"You’ll be escorted," Rebecca said at last, her voice smooth but laced with warning. "As long as the contract remains in effect, I manage your life, inside this house and outside it. Don’t forget that. I supervise, I monitor, and I control. And just so you’re clear…" Her lips curved into a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. "I have eyes everywhere. Don’t think you can take a single breath without me knowing."

Rebecca leaned forward slightly, blowing at the corner of her red nail polish, which was beginning to chip. With an irritated sigh, she pressed a button on the intercom.

"Call Laura," she barked. "This nail polish is peeling already! Did she give me some cheap brand?" Her voice rose with every word. "Unbelievable. She must’ve stolen the good ones and replaced them with this trash!"

Anna winced, murmuring under her breath, "Not exactly boss-of-the-year material…"

Rebecca waved her hand dismissively, as though brushing Anna from her sight. "This afternoon, Matthew will drive you to the hospital. Now get out of my face if you’re finished with your little questions. I’m busy." She huffed and went right back to glaring at her nails. "Damn, Laura. She’ll regret this. Using cheap polish on me? How dare she?"

Anna didn’t wait to hear more of her ranting. She slipped quickly out of the room before Rebecca could redirect her anger. The heavy door clicked shut behind her, and outside stood Karen, waiting with her arms folded.

"Come on," Karen muttered, already walking ahead.

Anna hurried after her, her expression heavy with frustration. The realization hit her harder than before, living under Rebecca’s scrutiny wasn’t just unpleasant. It was suffocating.

"You’ll be helping me in the kitchen from now on," Karen said without looking back.

Anna nodded. She had expected as much, after all, she’d applied for the housekeeper’s position. Still, she couldn’t resist voicing her thoughts.

"But Karen, don’t you think this house is too big for just two people? They’ve got eight housekeepers, two cooks, gardeners, technicians... It’s ridiculous." She let out a little sigh. "Such a waste."

To her surprise, Karen actually responded. "It’s not much. You’d be shocked if you saw Mr. Morgan’s parents’ place. That’s not a house, it’s practically a castle. Full of servants. And yet, only two people live there."

Anna’s lips curved into a small smile. Maybe Karen wasn’t as detached as she’d thought. She was older, about ten years, if Anna had guessed right, but that hardly mattered. Maybe they could be friends.

They stopped at a broad double door. Karen pushed it open to reveal a vast, gleaming kitchen. Pots clattered on the stove, where two cooks, both gray around the edges, worked briskly. The scent of roasting garlic and fresh herbs filled the air, warm and comforting.

The two cooks turned at once, their eyes falling on Anna.

"Hello," Anna said softly, uncertain if they’d be welcoming or cold.

"Hi! You must be Anna," the older of the two said with a wide grin. "Come in!"

Relief washed over her. She stepped forward, her smile widening.

"I’m Lucy," the cook with silver-streaked hair introduced herself, shaking Anna’s hand firmly.

"I’m Eve," the other added. Her tone wasn’t quite as warm, but she wasn’t unfriendly either. Anna counted that as a victory.

"Anna, you’ll be helping Lucy and Eve with the cooking from now on," Karen explained, stepping over to stir a steaming pot of asparagus soup.

Anna frowned at the amount of food being prepared. "Why so much, when it’s only Mr. and Mrs. Morgan?"

Lucy chuckled. "All of us have to eat, too, don’t we? Even the staff," she teased gently.

That made Anna grin. "All right. What should I do?"

Lucy handed her a bag of broccoli. "Start with this."

Anna nodded quickly, eager to work. After sitting idle for a day, she was glad to be useful again. Cooking was new to her, but she was willing to try.

Eve leaned against the counter, smirking. "So… how does it feel?"

Anna blinked at her. "Feel what?"

Eve tilted her head, her eyes glittering mischievously. "Come on. Don’t play innocent. How was it, making love to Mr. Morgan? You’re the first woman who’s ever managed to melt his heart."

Anna’s knife froze mid-slice. Heat shot up her cheeks. She glanced nervously at Karen, half-expecting her to scold Eve. But Karen laughed. She actually laughed.

Anna stared. Karen never laughed. Not when she was with her. Eve joined in, grinning, and even Lucy eventually gave in, chuckling despite herself.

Anna grimaced, feeling more out of place than ever. With people so much older than her, she didn’t fit. She kept her eyes down and focused on chopping broccoli, pretending she hadn’t heard a thing.

"When you’re done with that, peel these," Lucy said, dropping a bag of potatoes in front of her.

Anna forced a smile. "Got it."

Minutes dragged by. Anna’s hands ached as she worked through one task after another. When she glanced up, she saw Lucy, Eve, and Karen sitting together at the counter, laughing as they shared a carrot cake.

Something heavy settled in Anna’s chest. She had thought maybe, just maybe, she could make friends here. But watching them now, she realized they hadn’t expected her to join them at all. She was just the newcomer, the outsider.

She lowered her gaze and continued peeling eggs in silence.

The door burst open. A tall man in a sharp suit entered, his curly brown hair tousled yet elegant. Anna quickly ducked her head, pretending to focus on the egg in her hand.

"Karen, were you looking for me?" he asked, striding toward her with confident steps.

Karen’s eyes widened. "Oh my gosh, I forgot! Anna, put that down! Aren’t you supposed to be getting ready for the hospital? Matthew will take you." She turned to the man. "Matthew, make sure you bring her back here, or Mrs. Morgan will kill us both."

Matthew’s gaze shifted toward Anna, who was quietly washing her hands at the sink.

"Anna," Matthew said softly.

She looked up, and their eyes met. For a moment, Matthew forgot to breathe.

---