Chapter 10 Chapter 10

Chapter 10 Chapter 10
Amira's POV

I stumbled back, startled, and when I realized the figure was Judy, I quickly asked, “Why are you running like that? Do you want to hurt yourself?”

Before she could fall, I rushed forward and grabbed her arms to steady her.

The moment our eyes met, tears spilled down her cheeks. “It’s because of you! You disappeared, and I was so scared something bad happened!” she shouted, her voice trembling.

Her words made warmth bloom in my chest.

“You care about me?” I asked softly, a small chuckle escaping my lips.

We had only known each other for a single day, yet I could clearly see the worry in her eyes. Maybe she was only afraid of angering the three men, but even so, it touched something deep inside me. It had been so long since anyone had cared enough to worry.

I gently pulled her into a hug. “It’s okay, alright? I just went out to get some fresh air.”

Before coming back inside, I’d already wiped away all traces of tears, so nothing looked suspicious.

Judy sniffled and wiped her own tears. “I’m sorry for getting emotional and yelling at you,” she said, looking embarrassed.

I laughed softly. “It’s fine. You were worried about me, and that means a lot.”

“Come on, let’s go inside,” I added, glancing around nervously. Standing by the door wasn’t doing either of us any good.

Judy still looked shaken, so I helped her back in.

When we got to the living room, I was about to sit down when she suddenly stopped me.

“You should eat something first. You haven’t eaten all day.”

At that moment, my stomach growled loudly, and I couldn’t help but smile weakly. She was right. I had been too upset after overhearing that gossip to even think about food.

“Yes, I’m actually starving,” I admitted.

Judy smiled, motioning for me to follow her to the dining room, but I quickly shook my head.

“I’m not eating there.”

This morning’s gossip had been enough of a reminder. I was the woman everyone despised, the one those three Alphas wanted nothing to do with. That was why they’d given me that miserable room.

I had to learn to stay in my place. If they hated me, I’d keep my distance. If they didn’t want me to live comfortably, I’d adapt.

I wouldn’t step into their dining room again. That place belonged to them and their important guests, not to someone like me.

Besides, they hadn’t invited me to eat with them today like they had yesterday. So why cross the line?

“I wasn’t invited, so I won’t go,” I said firmly.

Judy instantly understood who I meant by “they.”

“Don’t you know they’re not even around? How could they have invited you?” she muttered.

I sighed. “I didn’t know they were gone, but even if they were here, they still wouldn’t have invited me,” I said stubbornly.

Judy pouted, looking genuinely upset. “How can you be so sure? You ate with them yesterday, so why not today too?”

She clearly didn’t understand, and I didn’t have the strength to explain.

I gave a bitter smile. “Yesterday’s invitation was just formality. I’m not foolish enough to think I matter to people I’ve only met twice.”

“But—” Judy started to protest, but I cut her off.

“That’s enough. Just bring my food here, or I’ll go eat in my room.”

The thought of that awful room made me shudder inside, but I still said it.

Seeing that I wouldn’t change my mind, Judy sighed and went to fetch my meal.

When she returned, she refused to let me eat in that horrible room. Instead, she insisted I stay in the living room. Her insistence told me she knew exactly what that room was used for, but she couldn’t say it out loud. I didn’t blame her, she was only a maid and couldn’t go against orders.

So I sat quietly in the living room, ate my food, and stayed there until I felt full before finally returning to my room.

Days passed like that, each one blending into the next. I’d wake up, bathe, eat, and sleep, it became my new routine.

Two weeks went by before I realized I had completely adjusted to that pattern.

Maybe, in a way, I had even started to forget about the three men. Not entirely, but I stopped thinking about the pain they had caused me when I first arrived.

My life wasn’t perfect, but it was manageable. I could walk past Lily and the other maids without feeling out of place. They still gossiped and kept their distance, but Judy was always by my side. That alone made things bearable. I didn’t feel lonely anymore.

\---

A few more days slipped by, and it was another calm, quiet morning. I woke up as usual and saw that Judy had already prepared my bath and laid out my clothes. After getting ready, I went downstairs for breakfast.

I was in such a cheerful mood. Last night, I’d dreamed that I finally gained my freedom and was living happily somewhere far away, untouched by all the pain of this place.

I hummed an old childhood tune as I descended the stairs, swinging my arms playfully.

“Judy?”

“Judy!” I called softly, peeking around corners as I walked.

It had become a little morning game between us, after Judy finished preparing everything, she’d hide somewhere, and I’d have to find her. It started by accident one day, but now it had become our habit.

Smiling, I continued calling her name.

But this time, even after searching every room and hallway for over an hour, she was nowhere to be found.

Worry began to build in my chest, so I headed to the kitchen and found Chef Willow there.

“Good morning, Chef Willow,” I greeted.

“Ah, good morning, child. How was your night?” he asked kindly.

Chef Willow was an elderly man who had worked here for years. Aside from Judy, he was the only one I felt close to. He always made sure I got good food, and I was grateful for his kindness.

But today, I wasn’t in the mood for small talk. “Old man, did you send Judy on an errand? I haven’t seen her all morning.”

Even though Judy didn’t officially work in the kitchen, she often helped him out, so I thought maybe she was there.

His reply made my heart skip a beat. “No, I haven’t seen her today. Why? Did something happen to her?”

My stomach dropped. I felt my feet grow cold, but I forced a small smile so he wouldn’t notice my fear.

“It’s nothing. I just thought she was with you. She’s probably somewhere around the house.”

“Oh, alright then. You should come eat first—”

I didn’t hear the rest. His voice faded behind me as I hurried away, my heart pounding.

Judy would never just disappear without saying a word.

Something was definitely wrong.