Once, when I was burning with a high fever of 102°F, he’d taken the earliest flight from another state just to be by my side, nursing me back to health with unwavering devotion.
Day after day, year after year.
Benjamin used to say, "Work is never more important than you, Eleanor. You’re the most precious thing in my life.
"I love you, Eleanor."
But now, those words feel like illusions, fading into nothingness.
When I returned to the villa, Mia stood in front of me with red eyes. She looked extremely guilty and uneasy. She seemed on the verge of speaking several times, only to swallow her words. She looked pitiful, as though I had wronged her.
From the stairs, Benjamin descended, his voice cold as he addressed her, "Mia, come here.
"Go clean the study. This is none of your business."
"Sir... I... I..." Mia shrank back in fear but finally gave in under Benjamin's piercing gaze.
Yet, as she turned, she shot me a glance full of silent accusation, as if to say, "I’m only doing this because I have no choice."
The study?
"Benjamin never allows anyone into his study. Why does this maid get to go in?" Young Eleanor fumed beside me, glaring at Mia’s retreating figure.