If the snake lost even a single scale, Richard treated it as though he had lost flesh from his own body. He hired priests and doctors, and even spent a fortune to create a high-tech incubation chamber so the snake could rest safely.
When I was young, curiosity made me take the snake out of the chamber to observe it. Richard struck me with a cane until my skin split open and locked me in a dark room for a full day and night. Even Ethan, who usually adored me, refused to speak up for me.
The day Richard and Ethan summoned me home from abroad marked the tenth year of Grace’s slumber.
Many who had once benefited from her kindness returned to our mansion that day to express their gratitude. It was also the date foretold by the tribal priest that she would awaken.
Ten years had passed, but the little white snake lay there unchanged, as if it were a sleeping beauty.
As I stroked her gently, my eyes stung with tears. It had been ten years since I had last seen my mom.
Just then, Martha and Chloe stormed into the room in anger.
I frowned—this room was strictly forbidden to outsiders. I was about to drive them out when Chloe slapped me hard across the face. My head slammed against the glass of the incubation chamber, and my vision went black.
Chloe looked down on me with a sneer, her hands on her hips.
“So this is where you’ve been hiding?”
“This morning, I heard there was a new maid in the house. Turns out it’s you?”
“Trying to take our place? I’ll teach you a lesson today.”
Martha’s eyes were full of rage as she yanked my hair and slapped me repeatedly. My nose bled, and stars danced before my eyes.
“You little slut, this is our home. Who gave you permission to come in here?” Chloe snarled.
“And you dare to steal my things?”
She ripped the emerald earring from my ear, tearing flesh as she yanked it free.
“This is mine…” I gasped.
Chloe’s eyes turned cold.
“Yours? A while ago, my brother asked what kind of jewelry girls liked. I told him about these earrings, and he flew all the way to France to bid on them. And you dare to claim they’re yours?”
I tried to explain, but before I could speak, Martha kicked me hard in the stomach. I doubled over on the floor, pale with pain.
“Ethan and Richard pay their staff well. And yet you dream of taking what doesn’t belong to you!” Chloe spat.