Chapter 1 - The Starving Father
The grand luxury hallway of the massive mansion was a masterpiece of cold, intimidating wealth, illuminated by a glowing crystal chandelier that reflected off pristine marble floors and golden pillars.
I was standing near the grand staircase, holding a small bowl of lukewarm soup. I was twenty-two, six months pregnant, and wearing a simple burgundy maid uniform with a crisp white apron. I carefully lifted a spoon, trying to gently feed Mr. Sterling.
Mr. Sterling was in his late seventies, with thinning white hair, sitting helplessly in a heavy wheelchair, wrapped in a dark burgundy velvet robe. His hands trembled violently as he opened his mouth, his eyes filled with absolute exhaustion.
Before the spoon could even reach his lips, a manicured hand violently grabbed my arm.
Victoria, the fifty-something elegant matriarch of the house, stepped aggressively between me and the wheelchair. She wore a flawless black skirt suit and a silk black blouse, radiating a terrifying, toxic authority. She was Mr. Sterling's second wife, and she ran the estate with an iron fist.
"Leave him," Victoria commanded, her voice cold and entirely devoid of human mercy. She glared at me, pointing a sharp finger down the hallway toward the kitchen. "Get back to work."
I gasped slightly, pulling my arm away from her grip. I stepped backward, instinctively placing my hand protectively over my pregnant belly.
"Ma'am, he hasn't eaten yet," I whispered, my voice trembling with genuine concern. "He hasn't had anything since yesterday morning."
Victoria’s eyes narrowed into lethal slits. "I said, get back to work."
Suddenly, Mr. Sterling raised a frail, trembling finger, pointing defensively at me.
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"She took care of me," the old man choked out, his voice weak but filled with desperate defiance.
👉 Victoria prepared to scream at him, entirely blind to the apex predator standing silently in the shadows.
