Chapter 2 A Maid With Questions

Rosalie barely slept that night.

Every time she closed her eyes, she remembered the conversation behind the bedroom door. Tristan's angry voice, Vivienne's threats and the terrible secret about Sebastian kept replaying in her mind.

She had never imagined that the Sterling family, admired by so many people, was hiding something so serious.

By morning, she had made a decision. She would keep her distance from Mrs. Sterling, avoid unnecessary conversations and pretend she knew nothing.

Most importantly, she would not tell anyone what she had heard.

Her mother's medication depended on her salary. She could not afford to lose her job.

"Rosalie!"

The housekeeper's voice pulled her out of her thoughts.

"Yes, ma'am?"

"Why are you standing there? The dining room needs to be arranged before breakfast."

"I'm sorry. I'll do it immediately."

Rosalie hurried towards the dining room.

As she arranged the plates, she heard footsteps approaching. She looked up and immediately lowered her eyes.

Vivienne.

The woman entered wearing an elegant cream-coloured dress, her jewellery sparkling beneath the chandelier.

"Good morning, ma'am," Rosalie greeted.

Vivienne did not respond immediately. Instead, she examined the dining table before turning towards her.

"Did you sleep well?"

Rosalie's fingers paused over a plate.

"Yes, ma'am."

"Good."

Vivienne picked up a glass and examined it.

"I hope you have remembered what I told you yesterday."

Rosalie swallowed. "Yes, ma'am."

"Good. I dislike repeating myself."

Vivienne placed the glass down and walked away.

Rosalie released a breath she had not realised she was holding.

She had barely finished arranging the table when Damian Sterling entered.

At thirty-five, Damian carried himself with the confidence of a man accustomed to getting what he wanted. His dark suit was perfectly fitted, and his expression remained serious as he checked his phone.

"Good morning, sir," Rosalie greeted.

"Good morning."

He took his seat and glanced around.

"Where is my wife?"

"Mrs. Sterling is upstairs, sir."

Damian nodded and reached for his coffee.

Rosalie served him carefully, but her hand trembled slightly. A little coffee spilled onto the saucer.

"I'm sorry, sir."

Damian looked at her hand.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes, sir."

He studied her face. "You don't look alright."

Rosalie quickly cleaned the spill.

"I didn't sleep very well, sir. It won't happen again."

Before Damian could respond, Vivienne entered.

"Darling, you're already having breakfast."

"I have an early meeting."

Vivienne kissed his cheek and sat beside him.

Her eyes briefly moved towards Rosalie.

"Is something wrong?" Damian asked his wife.

"Nothing. Why?"

"You seem distracted."

Vivienne smiled. "I'm perfectly fine."

Rosalie quietly stepped away, grateful for the opportunity to leave.

But Damian's voice stopped her.

"What's your name again?"

She turned. "Rosalie, sir."

"Rosalie. Have you worked here long?"

"Six months, sir."

He nodded. "Alright."

She left the dining room, wondering why he had suddenly become interested in her.

---

Later that afternoon, Rosalie was cleaning the upstairs hallway when Vivienne appeared.

"Come with me."

Rosalie followed her into the sitting room.

Vivienne closed the door and turned around.

"I have been thinking about yesterday."

Rosalie stood silently.

"You seem like a sensible girl, Rosalie. I would hate to believe that you are careless with other people's private matters."

"I understand, ma'am."

"Do you?"

"Yes, ma'am."

Vivienne walked towards the window.

"My husband values privacy. This family has worked hard to build what we have, and I will not allow anyone to interfere with it."

Rosalie lowered her eyes.

"I have no intention of interfering, ma'am."

Vivienne turned sharply.

"Then prove it."

"I will."

"Because if I discover that you have repeated anything you heard yesterday, you will leave this house immediately."

Rosalie's heart sank.

"Please, ma'am. I need this job."

"Then you should know how to keep it."

Vivienne opened the door.

"Go back to work."

Rosalie left without another word.

---

That evening, she sat on the edge of her small bed in the servants' quarters, staring at her phone.

There was a message from her mother.

Mum: Good evening, my daughter. I hope work is going well. Don't forget to eat.

A faint smile appeared on Rosalie's face.

Rosalie: Good evening, Mum. Everything is fine. I will send you money for your medication tomorrow.

She put down the phone and rubbed her forehead.

She needed this job. Her mother needed her. Getting involved in the Sterling family's problems was the last thing she wanted.

But she could not stop thinking about Sebastian.

If Damian was not his father, then the young man had been living a lie his entire life.

And if the truth ever came out, the consequences would be devastating.

Across the mansion, Vivienne stood in her bedroom, speaking quietly on the phone.

"She heard us," she whispered.

Tristan's response was immediate.

"Then get rid of her."

Vivienne looked towards the door.

"Not yet. Dismissing her suddenly might make Damian suspicious."

"Then what do you intend to do?"

Her expression hardened.

"I will make sure she becomes a problem nobody wants to defend."

Rosalie had no idea that the woman she feared was already planning her next move.