The dining room glimmered with gold and candlelight. Long-stemmed glasses shimmered under the crystal chandelier. Silver cutlery sparkled on polished mahogany.
It was the kind of setting Ava used to dine in… as Lucien's wife.
Now she stood behind the chair at the far end of the table, dressed in a plain maid's uniform, heart pounding like a war drum in her chest.
"You'll serve tonight," Madam Calista had said."Miss Veronica requested it specifically."
Veronica Duval.
Lucien's fake fiancée.
The snake with red lipstick and a diamond smile.
Ava took her position silently, just as Veronica sauntered in on needle-thin heels, her laughter trailing behind her like perfume.
"Oh, how quaint," Veronica said as her gaze landed on Ava. "Didn't know you promoted maids to dining staff, Calista."
"I thought you'd enjoy something... familiar," Madam Calista replied with a slight smirk.
Lucien arrived last, sharp in a dark suit, his expression unreadable. But Ava felt it, his eyes flicking to her for the briefest moment as he took his seat across from Veronica.
The dinner began.
Ava moved like a ghost, pouring wine, setting dishes, trying to keep her breathing quiet, her movements smooth.
But Veronica didn't let her go unnoticed for long.
"So, Lucien," Veronica purred, twirling her fork, "this house feels warmer lately. Different. Have you changed something?"
Lucien barely looked up. "Nothing's changed."
"Really? Because I've noticed one of your maids has an awful lot of... presence."She turned her icy smile on Ava."Don't you think, darling?"
Ava froze.
Lucien looked directly at her. "She's efficient. That's all."
Veronica hummed. "Hmm. Maybe too efficient. I could swear I've seen her before. You have one of those faces, dear."
Ava bowed slightly. "Many say that, Miss Duval."
Veronica tilted her head, her gaze sharp. "Where are you from?"
Ava opened her mouth, but Lucien interrupted.
"Veronica. Let's talk business. Not the staff."
Veronica's lashes fluttered. "Of course, darling. But your staff is so… interesting lately."
She said it with a syrupy sweetness that made Ava's stomach twist.
Later that evening, as Ava cleared the table, she noticed something odd:A slip of paper, tucked under her tray.
She glanced around.
Lucien was gone. Veronica was in the powder room.
She picked it up discreetly.
There were two words, written in red lipstick:
"I see you."