Chapter 6
He confined me to a pitch–dark guest bedroom, where I endured scorn and abuse from the
other maids.
On the day that Penny and I had planned to escape, Aileen got discharged and came home. She caught us red–handed.
She threw a tantrum. She wailed, rolled on the floor, and demanded to know why Gerald had not kicked me out yet.
Gerald shot me a look of disgust. It was as if he were blaming me for not staying hidden in the guest bedroom and under his control.
Aileen turned her aggression on me. She kicked and hit me until Gerald pulled her away, though her rage continued.
Gerald conceded. “Anyone but her. Take your anger out on whoever else you want.”
When she saw him defend me, Aileen’s face darkened. Suddenly, she turned her gaze to
Penny.
“What are you doing?”
Weak from days without food, I clumsily shielded Penny while glaring at Aileen. It was the first time I had shown her hostility since she entered the house.
I had already lost my parents and my child. Penny was like a little sister to me. I refused to let Aileen destroy her like she had destroyed my family.
Aileen arched an eyebrow. Her lips curled into a sinister smirk. She seemed thrilled to have found my weakness.
“I want her, Gerrie. From now on, I want her as my maid. Okay?”
I gripped Penny’s arm and turned to glare at Gerald.
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Chapter 6
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My voice turned hoarse as I said, “Gerald, don’t make me hate you. Lay one finger on her, and I won’t let this go.”
When Gerald hesitated, Aileen began crying uncontrollably. She sounded as if she were
suffering an unbearable injustice.
“Gerrie, you promised I could have anyone except her!
“Do you still love her? I shouldn’t have agreed to the treatment. You might as well let me
die!”
She threatened suicide again, just like before,
Panicked, Gerald stopped her. “Fine! Take Penny. Use her however you want. Just be
happy.”
Aileen then turned her gaze toward me. She was clearly not done with me yet.
Gerald clenched his jaw. Panic flashed in his eyes before he barked orders, “Everyone! Starting today, Hailey will work with you. She’ll clean and serve this household.”
I frowned and raised my gaze to him. He had to know that I had not slept properly in days. The chill in the guest room had seeped into my bones. Walking had become difficult, and my heart condition worsened daily.
Yet, even so, for Aileen’s sake, he would not leave me even a sliver of dignity to survive.
The light that had once pulled me out of darkness in my childhood felt piercingly cold.
It did not matter anymore. I remembered what the doctor told me at the hospital.
He said I had less than half a month left to live.
With my heart condition worsening without treatment, surviving till now was already a
miracle.
I had wanted to show Penny the world. I wanted to die surrounded by freedom and love.
Gerald and Aileen had even stolen that final wish.
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This weak body could not fight anymore. I had no future, but Penny did. In my final days, I could not let the one person who cared about me remain trapped because of me.
I looked at Gerald. My gaze was devoid of all warmth.
I meant every word. I would make him suffer for what remained of my days.
When he saw my silent stare, he looked away guiltily.
Aileen had once saved his life and done so much for him. I was just a replacement. If he
went back on his decision, Aileen would make a scene and humiliate him in front of the
maids.
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