Chapter 1 – THE MARKS ON HER WRIST

“Tell me exactly what you did to that child.”

Nicholas’s voice didn’t rise.

It didn’t have to.

The quietness of it was what made the blood drain from Vivienne’s face.

She touched her diamond necklace, a nervous habit.

“Nicholas, don’t look at me like that. The girl was running through the halls. She nearly knocked over a vase.”

“So you grabbed her.”

“I caught her arm to steady her.”

Nicholas looked down at the tiny, livid bruises on Lucy’s pale skin.

Those were not marks left by someone steadying a child.

They were marks of sheer malice.

“Arthur,” Nicholas said, not taking his eyes off his fiancée.

The elderly butler stepped forward immediately.

“Yes, Mr. Caruso.”

“Pack Miss Hart’s belongings. She won’t be staying for dinner. Or ever again.”

Vivienne gasped.

“You’re throwing me out? Over a maid’s brat?”

Maria gasped, pulling Lucy closer to her chest.

“Please, Mr. Caruso, it’s fine. We will leave. I don’t want to cause trouble.”

“You aren’t causing trouble, Maria,” Nicholas said gently, his hand resting on Lucy’s small shoulder. “You are under my protection.”

He stood up, towering over Vivienne.

“Leave the ring on the table.”

Vivienne’s face twisted in fury.

“You think she’s so innocent?” she spat, pointing at Maria. “You think she just stumbled into this job?”

Nicholas frowned.

“What are you talking about?”

Vivienne smirked, reaching into her designer clutch.

She pulled out a crumpled, silver pocket watch and threw it onto the marble floor.

It slid and stopped at Nicholas’s feet.

Nicholas stared at it.

His breath hitched.

It was a vintage silver watch with a cracked face.

He hadn’t seen it in five years.

“Ask your precious maid where she got your dead brother’s watch,” Vivienne whispered.

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