“I said get out.” I turned my head away. “I don’t want to look at you anymore.”


    Gabriel chuckled. “Ah, no Lama Voice this time?”


    “I’m just asking you to leave. Please.”


    For a moment, I thought he might refuse just topite me. But then he shrugged and headed toward the door. “Oh, before I forget. Alexander arranged for you to have some help during your… ‘recovery’. A new maid.”


    He opened the door and gestured to someone in the hallway. A young woman stepped into the room, and I immediately felt every one of my insecuritiese rushing back.


    She was gorgeous. Probably no older than neen, with long brte hair and bright blue eyes. Her figure was perfectly proportioned, and he moved into the room with graceful ease like she belonged here.


    And worst of all… She looked just like fucking Sophia.


    “This is Sarah,” Gabriel said. “She’ll be taking care of you while you’re allegedly indisposed.”


    Sarah smiled and curtsied, although her eyes remained locked on mine. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Luna.”


    The way she said my title made it sound like a joke. It didn’t take a genius to know that this wasn’t a maid to help me during my recovery, bu someone to mock and belittle me. A humiliation.


    “I’ll leave you two to get acquainted,” Gabriel sal, and I could hear the amusement in his voice as he left.


    The room felt smaller with just Sarah and me in. She stood by the door, staring at me for far too long until I squirmed slightly under her gaze


    “So,” she finally said, “what do you need?”


    I was starving-I couldn’t remember thest ting I’d eaten anything. “Could you bring me some soup, please? Something light.”


    “Of course.” Sarah’s smile was all teeth “Anything else?”


    “No, that’s fine. Thank you.


    Sarah left, and I was alone with my thoughts. The cherry blossom bracelet Alexander had given me was still on my wrist, catching the morning light. Just looking at it made me want to retch


    He thought I was weak. Maniptive. He’d rather watch me die than mark me, and he had


    even hired a Sophia clone just to kick me while I was down.


    Without thinking, I tore off the bracelet, not caring that I broke the sp, and threw it across the room. It hit the wall with a soft clink and ttered to the floor behind the dresser. Good. I never wanted to see it again.


    When Alexander came back, I wouldn’t beg him to mark me. I wouldn’t y the pathetic, dying wife anymore. I’d demand he reject me immediately so I could at least die with some dignity intact.


    Sarah returned about twenty minutester carrying a tray with a bowl of soup and some crackers. She set it on the nightstand beside the bed.


    “Here you go,” she said sweetly.


    I tried to sit up further to reach the tray, but my arms were still shaky. “Could you help me with that? I’m having trouble-”


    “Oh, of course.” Sarah picked up the bowl, but instead of handing it to me carefully, she let it tip. Hot soup spilled directly onto myp, soaking through the thin fabric of my nightgown and scalding my thighs.


    I screamed, the burning pain immediate and intense. “What the hell!”


    “Oh my Goddess, I’m so sorry!” Sarah said. “How clumsy of me!”


    The bedroom door flew open, and Lilith rushed in. “E! What happened?”


    “She spilled hot soup on me.” I reached for a nearby napkin. “It’s alright, I’m fine-”


    Lilith, however, wouldn’t be convinced. “Get out” she ordered the maid. “I’ll take care of this myself.”


    “But I was told to-”


    “I don’t care what you were told. Get out of this room. Now.”


    Sarah sighed and threw her hands up in the air. “ine. If that’s what you want.’


    Shaking her head, Lilith rushed over and practically shoved Sarah aside, helping me dab at the hot liquid. Sarah walked past us toward the door, but as she reached it, she turned and looked at me over her shoulder. The sneer she gave me wasn’t exactly subtle.


    And then she was gone.