The Night Before
Nora lay awake, staring at the cracked ceiling of her small maid's room.
Her chest felt tight, a mixture of nervousness, uncertainty… and maybe a little hope.
Tomorrow, everything would change.
She wouldn't be a maid anymore.
She wouldn't have to wake up at dawn to scrub floors or listen to Bianca's sharp tongued insults.
But she wasn't free either.
She would belong to this family, bound by a contract that was as heavy as a chain.
Her stomach twisted.
Was she really making the right choice?
But then she thought of Mother Chester.
How could she say no?
This was her only option.
With that thought, she forced her eyes shut.
Tomorrow, she would sign her future away.
And she had to be ready.
The Morning of the Contract Signing
The air in the estate felt different.
Every step Nora took through the halls carried weight.
She could feel the servants' stares. Some curious, some hostile.
And then there was Bianca.
"I hope you enjoy your fancy new life," Bianca muttered as Nora passed. "Because trust me, you're still just a nobody."
Nora didn't stop walking.
She had no energy for fights. Not today.
Duke's Office The Official Signing
The room was too big. Too cold.
The long, polished table stretched between her and Duke Jameson.
Kay sat beside him, her lips curved into a knowing smile.
And then there was Mr. Caldwell, the lawyer.
A serious-looking man who adjusted his glasses as he spoke.
"Miss Nora, let's go over the agreement again."
His voice was clipped and professional.
"You will no longer be employed as a maid."
She swallowed and nodded.
"You will reside in the Jameson estate as an assistant to Mrs. Jameson, ensuring you maintain good health for the surrogacy process."
Another nod.
"For the duration of your contract, you will be under the full legal guardianship of the Jameson family."
That part still made her uneasy.
But she had already decided.
Duke had been silent the entire time, watching her with that intense gaze of his.
She picked up the pen.
Her fingers shook as she pressed it to paper.
A deep breath.
Then, she signed.
It was done
As soon as the contract was signed, Kay clapped her hands together.
"Wonderful!" She beamed. "Now, let's talk about your new role, dear."
Nora straightened.
"You're no longer a maid. From today, you will be my assistant."
That… was unexpected.
She had assumed they would let her do nothing but rest.
"But," Kay continued, tilting her head, "I also expect you to help oversee some household matters. You're not above the staff, of course. But you do hold a special position now."
That was dangerous.
She wasn't a servant anymore.
But she wasn't noble either.
She was stuck in between.
And people hated those who didn't fit in.
Duke stood, buttoning his suit jacket. "Take the day to adjust. Tomorrow, you start your new duties."
And then, just like that, the meeting was over.
The atmosphere in the servants' quarters was icy when Nora returned.
Some of the staff avoided her.
Some glared.
And Bianca?
She smirked. "Oh, look at our little princess. Upgrading, are we?"
Nora sighed. "Bianca, I don't want to fight
"Of course, you don't. You already won."
She left before Nora could reply.
Not all of them hated her, though.
Elise, the estate cook, gave her a soft smile.
"Come sit," she said, pulling out a chair in the kitchen.
Nora hesitated.
But the warmth in Elise's voice felt safe.
She sat.
And for the first time that day, she let out a breath.
Elise poured her a cup of tea. "You look exhausted."
Nora laughed, but it was weak.
"I feel like I just sold my soul."
Elise didn't say anything right away.
She simply stirred her tea, watching Nora with a knowing look.
"You know…" she said softly, "I've seen a lot of girls like you."
Nora frowned. "Like me?"
Elise nodded. "Girls who come from nothing, get pulled into a world they don't belong to, and are expected to survive."
She leaned forward.
"Some of them do. Some don't."
A shiver ran down Nora's spine. "And which do you think I am?"
Elise smiled. "You tell me, dear. Are you a survivor?"
Nora stared into her tea.
She didn't know.
Not yet.
"Listen," Elise continued, "not everyone here will be your friend. But not everyone will be your enemy either. Be careful who you trust."
The words sat heavy in her chest.
Because deep down, she knew Elise was right.
Later that evening, she ran into Liam.
Liam was one of Duke's business associates.
Sharp. Charming. And unlike Duke, he actually spoke to her like she was human.
"So, you're officially part of the Jameson house now?" he asked, leaning against the staircase railing.
Nora hesitated. "Something like that."
He smirked. "A little warning, then. That world? It's not kind to people like you."
"And you're telling me this because…?"
He chuckled. "Because I like underdogs."
And then, with a wink, he walked away.
Nora was left wondering
Was that a warning?
Or something else entirely?
The First Night in Her New Room
Her new room was huge.
Soft sheets. A private bath. A view of the garden.
And yet, she couldn't sleep.
Because somewhere in this house
Was Duke.
And soon, she would have to figure out exactly what kind of man he was.
And what that would mean for her.