Chapter 4: Packing the Past
The afternoon sun began to dip behind the western ridge of the estate, casting long, amber shadows across the staff quarters on the lower ground floor. My room was small, sparse, containing only a narrow iron-framed bed, a wooden wardrobe, and a small nightstand where I kept a framed photograph of my mother back home.
I stood beside the bed, zipping up the canvas duffel bag that held my few clothes and personal belongings. My white and gray maid uniform hung neatly over the back of the chair—I had already changed into my travel clothes: a simple dark blue sweater and jeans. My time in this house was over. The police had taken Victoria down to the precinct for formal booking, and Mark had sequestered himself in his private office upstairs, refusing to take calls from any of his legal associates or social acquaintances.
A soft knock sounded on my open door. Lily stood in the hallway, holding a small, worn leather-bound journal. Her eyes were red-rimmed, but she wasn't crying. She looked older tonight than her twelve years, hardened by the sudden collapse of her world.
"Are you really leaving, Elena?" she asked quietly, stepping over the threshold.
"I have to, Lily," I said, pausing with my hand on the zipper of my bag. "My statement is on record, and the police have the video. My job here is finished. But that doesn't mean I'm leaving you behind. Once things settle, you can call me anytime. My number is on the card in your pocket."
Lily clutched her pocket instinctively, nodding. "Dad is upstairs. He didn't talk to her when the officers brought her back to gather her personal items. He told her she was never stepping foot in the master bedroom again."
Before I could answer, heavy footsteps echoed down the concrete hallway. Mark appeared at the doorway. He looked exhausted, his tie gone, his shirt rumpled as if he had been sitting in the dark for hours. He looked at my packed bag, then at Lily, before stepping inside.
"Elena," Mark said, his voice low and strained. "The car is waiting outside at the front gates to take you to the city. I've instructed the driver to take you wherever you need to go, and your full severance—plus three months' pay—has already been wired to your account."
"I don't need her money, Mr. Vance," I said, picking up my bag and slinging the strap over my shoulder. "I just need to know that Lily and the baby are going to be safe."
Mark flinched slightly at the words, as if my rejection of his money stung more than any accusation could have. He looked down at the floor, swallowing hard. "My sister is flying in from Chicago tonight. She's moving into the east wing indefinitely. Victoria's lawyers are already trying to spin this as a mental health crisis, but I'm not signing anything. I'm filing for sole custody in the morning."
May you like
He looked up, meeting my eyes with a quiet, solemn resolve that wasn't there when he first walked into the foyer that morning.
"Thank you, Elena," Mark whispered. "For staying when you had every reason to run."
