“Rebecca! Have you lost your mind?” Suddenly Daniel stood at the bathroom door, his eyes wide in shock. Rebecca and Anna turned their heads at the same time. Rebecca’s face grew darker and more threatening. Anna sighed heavily, she knew Daniel’s appearance would only make things get worse.

“What are you doing here? It’s been almost five months since you last came into my room. Did you suddenly show up because of this woman? What? Are you that worried about her? So now she's more important than me?” 

Rebecca walked toward Daniel, her naked body and sharp glare making the air heavy.

Daniel shook his head, staring at his wife with disbelief. He knew Rebecca could be cruel, but he didn’t realize she had fallen this far.

“I’m here to tell you my parents want us to host a party this summer,” Daniel said coldly. His eyes shifted to Anna, who was quietly picking up the broken perfume bottle pieces. He was about to say something, but he realized that his words would only put Anna in a more difficult position.

“Really? Is that true? You’re not lying, are you?” Rebecca’s expression suddenly changed, her face lit up with excitement. She had been waiting for this chance for a long time. She always wanted people to see her as part of the Morgan family. She needed validation more than anything.

Daniel gave a firm nod. “Control yourself! If you keep acting like this, I’ll never agree to follow your plan of sleeping with another woman just to have a child. You care more about money than anything else. It’s disgusting,” he said, his voice cutting.

Rebecca narrowed her eyes. “You know what will happen if you refuse me, don’t you? And you know I'm crazy enough to actually do that and make you feel guilty for the rest of your life!” she hissed.

Daniel let out a bitter laugh. “What? You’ll threaten to kill yourself again and frame me for a murder? Do it if you want. I don’t care anymore,” he said before turning and walking out, leaving Rebecca trembling with rage.

Anna froze in place. So this was what Daniel meant when he told her his only real duty was to keep Rebecca alive.

Rebecca stormed over and grabbed Anna’s face with her hand. “You stupid maid! Listen carefully. If you break the agreement you signed, I’ll never forgive you. Don’t forget, your father’s life is in my hands. I can end it whenever I want, keep that in mind!” Rebecca threatened before shoving Anna’s face away.

Anna stayed silent, forcing back her anger. Never in her life had she been humiliated like this, but for her father’s sake, she had no choice but to swallow her pride.

“Fill my bathtub, and don’t say a word! I can’t stand your voice!” Rebecca barked.

Anna bit her lip, repeating in her head not to lose her temper. She moved to the tub, filling it with warm water while Rebecca sat on the sofa, scrolling through her phone as if nothing had happened.

“The bath is ready, ma’am,” Anna said softly.

Rebecca tossed her phone aside and slid into the tub. “Rub my back. Now!” she demanded.

Anna knelt beside the tub and carefully began scrubbing Rebecca’s skin with a cloth.

“Useless,” Rebecca hissed, slapping Anna’s hand. “Put more strength into it! You’re not even good at this. Idiot maid!”

Rebecca’s eyes narrowed with sudden suspicion. “Tell me, are you interested in my husband?”

Anna froze. “No, ma’am,” she answered quickly.

“Liar! You’re lying!” Rebecca’s voice rose. “I’ll ask you one more time—are you interested in Daniel Morgan, my husband?”

Anna let out a weary sigh. “No, ma’am.”

Rebecca whipped her head around, her face full of fury. “LIAR! You’re nothing but a pathetic liar!”

Anna’s patience snapped. “Do you really have to act like this just because Mr. Morgan spoke to me? We’ve never done anything outside of what you ordered me to do!”

Rebecca slammed her fists against the water, splashing wildly. “That’s the problem! Daniel never even takes me for a morning walk, but he does with you! He doesn’t love me, and I don’t love him—but still—” Her words broke off in a scream. “Forget it! You stupid maid! Bring me my towel, now!”

Anna quickly handed her a towel. Rebecca snatched it violently and stomped out of the bathroom, throwing her slippers so carelessly that one smacked Anna in the face.

Anna closed her eyes and drew a shaky breath. She needed to get used to this kind of humiliation if she wanted to survive. She cleaned the bathroom quickly, restoring it to order, before heading to the kitchen to prepare Rebecca’s tea and snacks.

She dreaded seeing Eve, Lucy, or Karen, but she had no choice.

“Excuse me,” Anna said softly as she entered.

“Hi,” Laura greeted warmly. She had taken over Anna’s place in the kitchen.

“Hi, Laura. Where are the others?” Anna asked.

“They’re on break. I stayed behind to finish my soufflé. Want to try some?” Laura offered kindly.

Anna smiled at the rich scent of chocolate but shook her head. “It smells amazing, but I can’t stay. Rebecca will kill me if I take too long. I just need to prepare her tea and snacks. Any tips?”

Laura quickly arranged some pastries on a plate. “Madam loves Earl Grey. Brew it with boiling water, and don’t add sugar. She hates it.”

Anna nodded gratefully. “Thank you, Laura. You’re so kind,” she said, her heart warming at the thought of having at least one ally in this house.

“Of course, you know we can be friends,” Laura smiled back. “But I have one condition.”

Anna tilted her head. “What is it?”

“Don’t ever tell me anything about what you and Mr. Morgan do. I don’t want to hear it.”

***