Chapter 40: The Word

Marilyn's POV

Sophia eventually pushed herself up from the edge of the bed, smoothing her dress as she steadied herself, then she suddenly paused for a brief moment as if reconsidering, before turning away.

She looked at me for a long moment, like she wanted to say more but didn't know how.

Her lips parted, then closed again.

Finally, she spoke softly, “Take care of yourself… whoever you are now.” Her voice sounded heavy, like she was carrying too many memories.

Then she picked up my empty tray slowly, and paused again like she wanted to hug me but thought better of it, then turned and walked toward the door.

Before leaving, Sophia looked back one last time, her eyes filled with questions and sadness, then she quietly stepped out and closed the door behind her.

The minute the door shut, I suddenly felt everything crash down on me.

It was as if the strength I didn’t know I was holding onto had suddenly disappeared and I unexpectedly felt weak.

I let out a loud sigh—a tired, broken sound that could barely hold everything I was feeling.

Then I let my hands drop to my sides and hit the iron bunk with a dull noise.

My body felt completely heavy, as though it weighed a thousand tons, yet I managed to drag myself to the center of the bunk and collapse onto it like a mother exhausted by her twins.

The old mattress dipped badly under my weight, causing the lousy springs to creak underneath it.

I didn’t bother fixing my clothes or covering myself properly.

My eyes closed almost immediately, and my body gave up without a fight.

I barely could even think about everything Sophia had just said before sleep took me fast.

My body had completely sunk into the mattress like it was swallowing me whole.

And for the first time since I arrived in this house, my mind went quiet. No shouting, no insults, no hunger—just silence.

MORNING

It felt like I'd only slept for two minutes when suddenly everything exploded.

A full bucket of icy water was suddenly dumped over me.

The shock ripped me out of sleep so violently I barely understood what was happening.

The thin clothes I had on instantly clung to my skin, heavy and transparent, water dripping onto the floor while my heart pounded wildly in my chest.

I jerked upright, choking, my vision blurred as icy droplets kept streaming down my face and into my mouth.

I still barely understood what was happening.

By now, the water had completely soaked my hair, clothes, mattress—and it was dripping everywhere around me.

My heart was racing wildly and I struggled to steady my breath.

I wiped the water from my eyes with shaking hands, while I tried to understand what was happening.

That was when I saw the person standing by the side of my bed, just a few steps away from the door.

It was Tessa.

She was standing right there inside my room—next to me.

She was holding the empty bucket loosely in her hand, her face hard and angry, eyes burning with hatred.

Water dripped from my clothes onto the floor, but Tessa didn’t care. She just stood there like she enjoyed it.

“Do you know what the hell the time is saying?” Tessa suddenly screamed, her voice sharp and loud, filling the small room that barely contained us.

I flinched badly.

I still couldn’t speak.

My chest rose and fell quickly as I tried to catch my breath.

My head wouldn't stop spinning and the cold water had sent a terrible shock down my entire system.

Tessa didn’t wait for me to collect myself, she suddenly slammed her feet on the ground and yelled again, “Get your useless ass up!” she shouted.

I shrieked in fear.

“Go to the kitchen and help the other maids there. Lucian is expecting visitors today, so dishes must be made. Perfect dishes, I mean. Not rubbish like you.” She continued to curse.

I still didn't speak. I just stood there and let the cold sink into my body.

Then she moved closer, pointing angrily at me like I was too much of a mess. She leaned in very close and started to whisper to me quietly, “Next time that I've to come to your room to remind you of your job in this house. I promise I won't have the patience to wake you up with a bucket of water, I'll have to do it the hard way.”

I was barely awake so I couldn't even fully comprehend what she was saying but by merely staring at her angry face, I bet I was in trouble.