Ten years of marriage, and Joel Gilbert still hadn't taken me home for New Year's Eve dinner.
I didn't dress up like I had in previous years, begging him to bring me along, pleading for just one glimpse of my son.
Instead, I straightened his collar with practiced care and stepped back like a good wife.
Joel ruffled my hair, his voice soft with reassurance.
"You've been so well-behaved lately. As a reward, I'll bring our son to see you."
Our baby had barely been weaned when Joel sent him to the Gilbert Mansion to win over Old Mrs. Abbott.
He'd promised me—once his mother accepted the child, she'd accept me too.
But yesterday, I'd snuck over to the mansion. And I saw Joel with his arms around his secretary, calling her his wife. I saw my son clinging to her, calling her Mommy.
Years ago, I'd made a bet with someone. If I couldn't make it through the Gilberts' door in ten years, I'd have to go back and marry him.
——
I pulled that number out of my blocked list—the one I could recite in my sleep.
"Send someone to pick me up tomorrow."
A low laugh came through the phone.
"So Mary Winfield's ready to admit defeat. I'll start preparing the wedding then. Can't wait to make you my bride."
His voice spread an ache through my chest.
I'd run from him all those years ago to prove I didn't need his protection, that I could build a good life on my own.
I never imagined these ten years would leave me with nothing but wreckage.
Joel emerged from the bedroom, frowning.
"Where are you going tomorrow? I'll have someone drive you."
I hung up quickly, forcing a smile.
"Just shopping with a friend. She's already arranged a driver."
Joel studied me, his gaze lingering long enough to make my heart race.
Finally, he handed me a servant's uniform.
"Mom's stomach has been acting up again. Don't let her see you—go dressed as a maid and cook her something medicinal."
He paused, glancing at me like he was granting a favor.
"If there's a chance, I'll let you see our son."
I took the clothes from his hands.
Old Mrs. Abbott's health had always been fragile. To win her over, to make her accept me as Joel's wife, I'd studied herbal medicine just to help nurse her back to health.
The first time I showed up with a pot of nourishing soup, she threw the scalding broth at my arm.
Joel had tended to my burns, furious, ready to confront his mother.
But I didn't want to be the reason their relationship soured. So I started going to the mansion disguised as a servant to prepare her meals.
Somewhere along the way, Joel got used to me playing the maid.
He also got used to dangling visits with my son as a reward whenever he needed to make something up to me.
I clutched the uniform, my son's blurry face flickering through my mind.
Before I leave, let me memorize every detail of him.
Joel drove me to the mansion himself.
We'd barely reached the parking garage when a honeyed voice called out.
I watched Joel's spine go rigid. Then he turned toward Kay Pruitt.
She stood there in a flowing dress, a gift box dangling from her fingers.
"Boss, this is the toy John Gilbertny wanted last time. I'll drop it off for him."
Her eyes swept over me, lingering, before she let out a little laugh. Her gaze traced the servant's uniform I was wearing.
"Mrs. Gilbert, why are you dressed like that to visit the mansion? I almost thought you were some new housekeeper Joel hired."
In the past, seeing Kay hovering around Joel would have sent me into a spiral—crying, clinging, desperate for reassurance.
And every time, Joel would turn cold and snap at me, calling me a hysterical shrew.
After I'd scratched Kay's arm once, he'd banned me from seeing my son for three straight years. Took the boy to Bali with her instead.
I wasn't about to stir up trouble before I left. Quietly, I gave up the front seat.
When we arrived at the mansion, Joel came around to open my door.
He pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead.
"Kay doesn't know her place sometimes. Don't take what she says to heart."
