Jose sat at the dining table. His hand was squeezing Phoebe's soft breasts as he chuckled softly. "I'm jealous. Why has the baby been monopolizing this area for the past few days? You'll have to make it up to me tonight."
Phoebe giggled, but her laughter died the instant she saw me.
I carefully ladled the nourishing soup into her bowl, letting it cool thoughtfully.
At the same time, Jose smiled gently at me. "You should sit down and eat, too."
Phoebe also pulled out a chair for me and nodded softly. "Taking care of the child is tiring. You should rest."
I lowered my gaze and declined with a smile. "It's my honor to help Madam look after the baby. I'm not tired at all."
My answer made Jose's lips curve in satisfaction. His eyes now flashed with a contempt impossible to ignore.
I stood obediently by the dining table, remembering the last time Jose saw Phoebe holding my hand. He had deliberately claimed the soup was too salty that day.
That man eventually punished me by making me kneel in the courtyard under the scorching sun until deep into the night. My knees ended up scraped raw and my whole body was covered in peeling skin.