Chapter 7 Chapter Seven
Chapter Seven
“Aria?” It was Ms. Fletcher, her voice clipped but carrying an undertone of something unreadable.
Aria blinked, turning from the counter. “Yes, ma’am?”
“You’re needed in the drawing room. Immediately.”
A pit opened in Aria’s stomach. She wiped her hands nervously on her apron and followed Ms. Fletcher down the hall. Her shoes tapped softly on the tiled floors, but each step felt like a tolling bell.
When they entered the drawing room, Selene stood near the fireplace, arms crossed, one perfectly manicured brow arched in satisfaction. Nash leaned against the wall with a practiced nonchalance. In the center of the room, Evelyn Cross sat upright on a high-backed chair, eyes as sharp as blades.
Aria’s pulse quickened.
Evelyn didn't look up. "Step forward."
Confused but compliant, Aria walked toward them.
"You’ve been working here for how long now?" Evelyn asked without emotion.
"A week and a few days, ma’am."
Selene stepped forward with deliberate poise. "And in just that short time, it seems we’ve misplaced something very valuable."
Nash reached into his pocket and pulled out a velvet pouch. He emptied it slowly onto the coffee table. A sapphire necklace shimmered under the chandelier light, its rich blue stones glowing like secrets.
Aria gasped. “That’s not mine.”
Selene tilted her head. “Strange. It was found under your bed.”
“No, that’s not possible. I…I never saw that necklace before.”
“We searched every staff room,” Selene said sweetly, a sinister smile curling at her lips. “Only yours turned up anything.”
Aria turned to Ms. Fletcher in desperation. “You were there. You know I didn’t”
Ms. Fletcher’s expression wavered, but she said nothing.
“Your silence speaks volumes,” Evelyn said coldly. “We trusted you to work in our home, and this is how you repay us?”
Aria’s throat felt tight. “I didn’t take it. Please, I swear. Someone must have put it there. I wouldn’t steal.”
“Enough!” Evelyn stood, her voice ringing through the room. “You were seen lingering near the West Wing the night of Damian’s attack. You were already breaking rules. Perhaps this is not your first offense.”
Aria’s lips parted. “I wasn’t in the West Wing. I heard a noise, and I went” She stopped herself, her hands trembling. She couldn’t admit she’d seen Damian that night. That would only make things worse.
Selene stepped closer, her perfume sickly sweet. "Damian almost died, and now a priceless necklace goes missing. And there you are, always near where trouble begins."
Aria looked into her eyes and saw something cold, calculating. Selene knew she hadn’t stolen the necklace. She was doing this deliberately.
Evelyn turned away. "I’ve made my decision. I want her gone before the hour is up. No arguments."
Aria’s world tilted.
"You’re firing me? Just like that? Without asking what really happened?"
"Do you think I have time to play detective with house staff?" Evelyn snapped. "We can’t afford any more scandals. You’re lucky I’m not involving the police."
Selene folded her arms, smug satisfaction blooming on her face. "I think it’s best if you leave quietly."
Aria’s chest tightened. “But I have nowhere else to go tonight. My sister”
“Then perhaps you should have thought of that before helping yourself to things that don’t belong to you,” Selene said coldly.
Ms. Fletcher stepped forward, hesitating. “Mrs. Cross, perhaps a more thorough investigation”
Evelyn raised her hand. “Enough.”
The room spun slightly. Aria tried to keep her balance, but her knees weakened under the weight of injustice. The necklace. The lie. The setup. She wasn’t just being dismissed, she was being erased.
Nash stepped forward, his hand gripping her arm. “I’ll walk her out.”
Aria stiffened. Her jaw clenched as she fought back tears. She would not cry in front of them. She would not let Selene win that satisfaction.
“Wait,” Ms. Fletcher said quietly. “Let her pack her things herself.”
Evelyn gave a curt nod. “Fine. Ten minutes.”
Aria turned, her steps unsteady as she walked out of the drawing room. Ms. Fletcher followed at a distance until they reached the servants' corridor.
Inside her tiny room, Aria sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the place where the necklace had supposedly been found. A single sock, lying slightly out of place, was all that remained. Her hands shook as she opened her bag and stuffed her few belongings into it.
A knock on the door.
Ms. Fletcher entered, closing it gently behind her. “I know you didn’t take it.”
Aria looked up, pain flickering in her eyes. “Then why didn’t you say anything?”
“I wasn’t given the chance,” Ms. Fletcher said, voice low. “They made their decision before I could speak. Evelyn doesn’t care about the truth. Only appearances.”
Aria shook her head, tears finally spilling down her cheeks. “I saved his life. That night, I was the one who found him. I stopped the bleeding. I screamed for help.”
Ms. Fletcher's expression cracked. “I know.”
Aria stared.
“I saw you kneeling over him. But you ran before the others came. I kept quiet because I thought you wanted it that way.”
Aria covered her face. “I was scared. I didn’t want anyone to think I was involved.”
Ms. Fletcher knelt beside her, voice trembling. “You’re a good girl, Aria. This isn’t your fault. But you need to leave. You can’t fight them here.”
Aria nodded numbly. “Thank you.”
“Where will you go?”
“I don’t know yet,” Aria whispered. “But I have to keep my promise to Lucy. I’ll find a way.”
She stood, bag over her shoulder. Her uniform felt heavier than armor. One final glance around the room, and she turned to the door.
Ms. Fletcher opened it, but before Aria walked out, she placed a gentle hand on her arm.
“Be safe,” she said. “And if you ever need help, come to me. Quietly.”