The next morning, I woke up with one fragile hope—that maybe, just maybe, I could leave this place quietly. That Keith and his family would be too busy with their lives, with Faye, with their empire, to notice my absence.
But peace was never meant for me.
The door to my room burst open, and Sasha stormed in like a hurricane. Her nails dug into my arm as she yanked me out of bed.
“You,” she hissed, dragging me down the corridor. “Get up. Help the maids clean and arrange the estate. There will be a party here later. Do you understand?”
Confused, I stumbled after her. “What party?”
Sasha turned, her eyes sharp enough to cut. “The engagement party. For Keith and Faye.”
The words sliced through me like a blade. My knees weakened, my heart threatening to give out. “Engagement…?” I whispered, the sound barely leaving my lips.
"Yes,” she sneered. “And you—you will help prepare it.”
My voice cracked. “Why me?”
Her hand flew across my cheek with a sting that left me breathless. “Of course you. Who else? You’re the maid now. That’s all you are. Don’t even dare mention being a wife, because by tomorrow, you’ll be gone. I’ve already sent the payment. Consider yourself bought out of this family.”
Tears stung my eyes, but I swallowed them down and nodded. I had no fight left in me.
For the rest of the day, I worked alongside the maids. My hands scrubbed floors, polished glasses, carried trays of decorations. Every step felt like chains tightening around me. My body ached, my heart heavier than it had ever been. But I forced myself to move, to endure. After all, this would be the last time.
When night fell, the estate transformed into a palace of glittering lights and elegant music. Guests arrived, dressed in gowns and suits, their laughter filling the air. I wore the uniform Sasha had thrown at me—plain, black, unremarkable. I was a shadow, a servant in the very house where I had once been Keith’s wife.
I carried trays, served drinks, bowed my head as whispers followed me.
“That’s her? The poor girl?”
“Look at her now—reduced to a maid.”
“Faye is much more fitting for Keith.”
Every word burned, but I didn’t flinch. I told myself to endure. Just until tomorrow.
Faye’s friends were relentless. They called for me again and again.
“Water, now.”
“Fix my dress, it’s wrinkled.”
“Don’t just stand there, move faster, maid!”
I obeyed, silent, swallowing the humiliation. I told myself it didn’t matter anymore. Because soon, I would be free.
Across the room, I felt Keith’s gaze on me. For a heartbeat, our eyes met. My heart stuttered, foolishly hoping for even a flicker of recognition. Of love.
But there was nothing. Just cold observation, as if I were a stranger, as if he had already erased me from his world.
And in that moment, I knew. The love was gone.
I was done.
While the party raged on, while laughter and music drowned out my quiet steps, I slipped away. Past the glittering chandeliers, past the sea of strangers, past Keith and Faye standing hand in hand, basking in the admiration of the crowd.
No one noticed when I picked up the small bag I had hidden earlier. No one cared when I pushed the side gate open, the cool night air washing over me.
And there, waiting just beyond the gate, was Nathan.
His eyes softened the moment they landed on me. Without a word, he reached out, and I let him take my hand. My tears fell silently as we walked away together, leaving the estate, leaving the life that had broken me.
We drove to the airport, the city lights blurring through the window. My chest tightened as I glanced back one last time. That house, once filled with promises and laughter, was nothing but a prison now.
At the airport, I took out my phone. For a long moment, I stared at the screen—the countless unanswered messages I had once sent Keith, the calls, the memories.
And then, with a trembling hand, I removed the SIM card. I threw it into the nearest trash bin and boarded the plane with Nathan.
Keith’s POV
The house felt strangely empty that morning. I searched the rooms, the hallways, even the gardens, each step tightening the knot in my chest. Where was she? Why wasn’t she here?
“Keith,” Faye’s voice floated behind me. I didn’t need to turn to know her smile was smug. “Why are you wasting time looking for that maid?”
Her words burned. I stiffened, my fists clenching. Before I could answer, she stepped closer, her perfume wrapping around me, her eyes glimmering with intent. She tilted her chin up, leaning toward me, lips parting.
But I shoved her back, disgust cutting through me. “Don’t.”
Her eyes widened, surprise flickering before indignation.
“You know this engagement is for show,” I said sharply. “It’s business. Don’t mistake it for anything else. I’m not divorcing my wife.”
“Your wife?” she laughed, bitterness dripping from her tone. “Seriously, Keith? After everything—you humiliated her, ignored her, let her rot in this house while you paraded me around—and now you say you still want her?”
Her words hit deep, exposing wounds I’d buried beneath excuses. Images of Katerina came to me unbidden—her quiet eyes watching me from the shadows, her trembling voice asking for nothing but my presence. And me… pushing her away, choosing silence, choosing duty, choosing Faye.
I clenched my jaw. “Enough."
Faye shook her head, almost pitying. “You think she’ll forgive you after all that? You think she’ll stay?”
I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. Instead, I strode past her, my voice echoing down the hall. “Butler!”
The old man appeared, bowing low.
“Where is she?” I demanded. “Where is Katerina?”
His throat bobbed as he swallowed, his hands folded behind his back. “She is… not in her room, sir.”
Cold dread shot through me. “What do you mean, not in her room? Then where is she?”
He hesitated again, then slowly handed me a folded paper and a small object. My heart stopped.
Her handwriting stared back at me. Her wedding ring lay heavy in my palm.
The butler’s voice was steady, but it cut me open. “We heard about a car crashed this morning, and it seems that Miss Katerina is in there... And now, she's dead.”
