25 The Return Trap

25 The Return Trap
25
The Return Trap

Haven City was beautiful, nothing like the small town Tessy had grown up in. Yet as her eyes swept over its glittering streets, only bad memories rose to the surface. Memories that should have been buried long ago. Memories of her childhood, of the orphanage, of pain she never wanted to relive.

She had always dreaded coming back here. But maybe this time, she needed to. Maybe coming back would help her understand something. Haven City was vast, and her scars came from only one part of it. As long as she never set foot near the orphanage, she told herself, she should be fine.

By the time her train pulled in, the evening sun was already sinking, casting a golden-orange glow across the city. Dragging her small rolling luggage behind her, Tessy stepped out of the station and toward the roadside. Grams had promised someone would be waiting to pick her up, but she had also given Tessy a number in case they were running late.

Well… rich people always had more important things to do than show up on time for someone like her, a nobody.

All around her, cars idled as they collected passengers: taxis, SUVs, and sleek private rides. But one car stood out, shining beneath the city lights, a Porsche Panamera, elegant and unmistakably worth millions. Tessy’s jaw almost dropped.

Pulling out her phone, she prepared to call the number Grams had given her. She only hoped these people weren’t arrogant like Ronda or Victoria… or Ryan. She didn’t want him anywhere near her. Grams had assured her they were kind, that they would treat her well, but Tessy’s gut twisted with unease. Was it just fear of stepping into the unknown or something deeper?

The call rang and rang. Just as Tessy pressed the phone tighter to her ear, a man in a suit approached her with a warm smile.

“Are you Tessy Williams?” he asked politely.

Her eyes widened, and she quickly dropped her phone, disconnecting the call.
“Yes, that’s me,” she stammered, nervous all of a sudden.

“I’m the driver sent to pick you up. We’ve been waiting even before you arrived.”

Tessy blinked, embarrassed. She realized she had seen him earlier while she was too busy gawking at the city streets like a lost tourist.

“Oh, I didn’t know. I’m sorry,” she murmured.

“It’s alright. Nothing to be sorry about.” He took her luggage effortlessly and began walking toward the curb.

“No, please, you don’t have to. I can carry it,” Tessy protested, hurrying after him.

He shook his head. “No, Miss. We were instructed to treat you with the utmost care. We were told you are… very important.”

Tessy froze mid-step, her eyes widening. “What?” she whispered.

The man reached the Porsche and placed her luggage neatly inside the trunk.
“Oh my…” Tessy gasped. It was the very car she had been admiring earlier.

The sound of the trunk slamming shut jolted her back.
“You must be mistaken,” she said quickly. “I’m just a maid. I’m not important.”

The driver only smiled knowingly. “Well, that’s not what we were told.”

Her lips parted, but no words came. Instead, she climbed into the luxurious car as the driver slid behind the wheel.

“Thank you for waiting for me,” she said softly. “I hope I didn’t waste too much of your time.”

“Not at all, Miss. As I said, our orders were clear, delaying to pick you up was never an option.”

Tessy wanted to argue but bit her tongue. Were they misunderstanding her? Did they think she was someone else? She was only coming as a maid… unless this special treatment had more to do with Grams. The Smiths were clearly loved and respected and Grams was a Smith too, so perhaps that respect now extended to Tessy.

If so, maybe this family truly was different. Maybe they were good people after all.

Leaning back into the seat, Tessy let her nerves ease just a little as the Porsche glided smoothly onto the road. The city stretched around her, bathed in glowing streetlights, the night coming alive in dazzling beauty.

For the first time since stepping off the train, Tessy let herself breathe. This was a new beginning.

They drove into an estate lined with massive houses. No, mansions.
Tessy snorted under her breath. These rich people… always so arrogant.

The car glided further until it stopped before the largest, grandest, and most breathtaking mansion of them all. The tall iron gates slid open automatically, and the driver pulled into the compound, heading toward the garage.

For a second, Tessy froze, her gaze snagging on a huge banner outside, its lights casting a glow around the bold letters.

The Smith Mansion.

Her heart dropped.
No. No, it couldn’t be. Ryan was a Smith… right?
Her throat tightened. Grams promised her.

“Miss, we’re here.” The driver stepped out and opened the door for her.

“Oh, I wasn’t expecting you to open the door. I was just… in a trance for a minute,” she rushed out, fumbling with her words.

“It’s alright,” he said calmly. “It’s nothing.”

Before she could say more, a male butler appeared, already taking her luggage.
“Good evening, Miss. Please, follow me inside.” He smiled warmly and moved ahead.

“But I can carry that…” Tessy trailed off helplessly as he walked on, leaving her no choice but to follow.

They were treating her like she was royalty. Like she was the lady of the house. If this is how they treat her, how do they treat the real owners? Must be pure bliss.

The compound itself was a vision of wealth. A marble fountain stood proudly at the center, water cascading in elegant arcs that shimmered beneath the outdoor lights. Everything gleamed, perfectly maintained, almost too perfect as if nothing out of place was ever allowed to exist here.

Stepping inside, Tessy’s breath caught. The interior was every bit as lavish as she imagined a rich man’s home to be. Chandeliers glittered overhead, polished floors reflected golden light, and the very air smelled faintly of roses and money. The space was vast, spotless, almost intimidating.

The butler set her luggage down in the middle of the enormous living room. Ahead, a sweeping staircase rose gracefully, its rails gleaming as though made of gold and silver.

Before she could take it all in, a young woman in a crisp maid’s uniform appeared. She smiled kindly and approached.
“Hi, I’m Lilly. Welcome to the Smith Mansion.”

Tessy stiffened. Smith. Her chest tightened. Please, no. Please let this not be what she thinks. What did Grams do?

“I’m Tessy,” she managed.

“We know,” Lilly said gently. “We’ve been expecting you.”

Tessy only nodded, distracted, her eyes roaming over Lilly. She wasn’t very tall, but her blonde hair framed a heart-shaped face, her eyes large and luminous, her lips full and pretty.

“Are you the head maid?” Tessy asked.

Lilly chuckled, shaking her head. “No. I’m just here to show you to your room. Since it’s already late, Margaret, our head maid, will introduce herself tomorrow.”

Tessy’s stomach knotted. “Margaret?” she whispered.
Damn you, Grams. This better not be what she thinks it is.

But it was too late to run. If she bolted now, she’d look insane. Where would she even go? The night was already deep; she had nowhere to stay, no way back to town.

Okay… calm down. Just spend the night. Tomorrow morning, I’ll leave, especially if my suspicions are true. But what if I see him? No. Don’t think about that. Just… maybe Lilly can tell me something tomorrow. Tonight isn’t the time. Don’t look snoopy, Tess. Don’t act crazy.

“Let’s go,” Lilly urged, snapping her out of her spiraling thoughts.

Tessy followed her up the stairs. The hallway was just as immaculate as the rest of the house, though strangely bare. No family portraits. No photographs. Nothing to give away who exactly lived here.

“No one is around except the young master,” Lilly explained casually.

Tessy’s heart skipped. Young master? A groan of frustration escaped her before she could stop it.

They reached a door, and Lilly pushed it open. Tessy froze in the doorway.

The room was enormous, far bigger than her room back home. A king-sized bed, gleaming furniture, plush carpets… everything arranged with care. Too grand. Far too grand for someone like her.

“This is your room,” Lilly said with a pleasant smile. “You must be tired from the journey. Rest well tonight. You’ll start tomorrow morning.”

She turned to leave, but Tessy’s unease bubbled over. “Wait!” she called. “Is this… is this how the other maids’ rooms are? Like this?” Her words stumbled out, awkward and desperate.

Lilly blinked, confusion crossing her face. She glanced around the lavish room, then back at Tessy.
“Honestly? I’m just as confused as you are. But you must be… special.”

“What?” Tessy asked sharply.

“The maids’ quarters are downstairs. They’re nothing like this. Only Margaret stays upstairs. But since you’re here as the assistant head maid, you’re next in line. This is your place.”

Tessy’s throat tightened. “But why? You already have so many experienced maids. Margaret could’ve chosen one of them instead of…” She trailed off, her frustration choking her words.

Lilly shrugged lightly. “We don’t really understand either. But Margaret is the one who makes the decisions. She dotes on you, it seems.”

Dotes on me? I don’t even know her. Tessy bit back the thought and forced a small nod. “Alright. Thank you, Lilly.”

Once she was alone, Tessy immediately grabbed her phone and dialed Grams’ number. It rang. Once. Twice. Three times. Again. Again. No answer.

Her hand trembled around the
phone. “Dammit, Grams…” she whispered.

Now she was certain.
This was the Smith Mansion.
The Smiths she knew.

And there was no turning back.