Chapter 38 Conversation

Chapter 38 Conversation
Marilyn's POV

While I ate, the maid just stood there, frozen, watching me consume food like my life depended on it.

After a while, the maid slowly stepped inside and closed the door behind her.

However, her eyes didn't stop moving, she kept looking around the room like she was afraid someone would walk out of the walls and grab her.

After a moment, she sat down carefully at the edge of my bed, the thin mattress dipped in quickly.

She watched me eat for a few seconds before she finally said, “I’m… I’m sorry,” she whispered softly.

I glanced at her, then immediately dropped my eyes and went back to my food, pretending I hadn’t heard her.

She didn't stop, she sighed and continued to speak, “I’m sorry for everything, for the way they treat you now. I'm sorry you have to sleep here—in this room.” Her voice was suddenly full of guilt, and her eyes still didn't stop scanning the room.

“I swear, if it was up to me, it wouldn’t be like this.” She added again, her voice still low and apologetic.

I didn’t respond. I just kept eating, chewing fast, barely breathing between bites.

I didn't even know what she was talking about and why the hell she was apologising.

All I knew was that my food eventually came and I needed to eat or I might not wake up tomorrow.

The maid sighed deeply, then continued talking again, like she needed to let it out. “You know,” she said slowly, “there was always something about you. You're someone we all admired so much in this house. You secretly used to be my role model.”

This was when my hands suddenly paused, but she kept chewing.

The maids didn't even notice that I'd stopped eating and I was now staring at her. She just kept talking like someone who regretted her past and needed someone to talk to.

“Riley,” the maid suddenly called.

My mouth slowly stopped moving.

“Everyone loved you when you were here. You were happy, living life like the perfect woman meant for Lucian. You were kind. Gentle. Strong in your own way. Even when things were bad, you smiled.” Her voice softened. “I used to look at you and think, ‘I want to be like you someday.’” She paused, then her voice dropped low. “But then you started fading away, and one day I woke up to find the mansion upside down. When I heard the news that you were gone, I was shocked. I knew you wouldn’t disappear without a reason.”

By now, I was completely frozen and I'd suddenly stopped eating.

The spoon froze halfway to my mouth, and slowly, I lifted my head and looked at the maid for the second time. “Were you working here before Riley disappeared?” I asked quietly. My voice was calm, but my eyes were sharp. The maid stiffened in shock. Her mouth fell open slightly.

“Riley?” the maid repeated slowly. Then her eyes widened in realization. “Wait…” She leaned closer, now staring at my face like I'd an ugly make up on me. “Have you forgotten me?” the maid asked softly.

I didn't answer. I couldn't.
I was shocked.

The maid didn't hesitate, she quickly touched her hair and laughed nervously. “It’s me. Sophia. Your favourite maid. I dyed my hair blonde because my natural color started fading.” Her voice shook. “It’s me, Riley. It's me, Sophia. Is it my hair color that makes you not recognize me? You used to let only me clean your room because you trusted me most. Have you forgotten? It's me.”

I was speechless .

So I kept staring at the maid for a second longer, then I looked away sharply like I didn't want to catch her eyes. “I don't know what you're talking about—” I stammered. My voice was cold and distant, like I was intentionally trying to hide away from something.

I bet my words hit Sophia like a slap. Judging by the look on her face, she could hardly believe I didn’t recognize her as Riley’s favorite maid.

But how was I supposed to tell her that I wasn’t the real Riley—and that I was nothing like her?

Sophie gasped. “What?” she whispered, shock evidence in her voice. “What happened to you?” She asked weakly, her eyes filled with tears.

I didn’t answer.

I suddenly picked up my spoon again and started eating even faster than before, like the conversation didn’t matter.