Chapter 3

In dire financial straits, I readily accepted the contract.

To properly care for Vincent, I adhered to the agreement's conditions, educating myself on nutritional management and psychological well-being, all in an effort to aid his recovery from heartache as swiftly as possible.

Once, following another bout of heavy drinking, he confused me with Evelyn and unleashed his passion in a night of unbridled intimacy.

Upon sobering, Vincent noticed the vivid crimson mark on the sheets and embraced me, saying, "Diana, I'll take responsibility for this. We'll reveal our relationship when the moment is appropriate."

From then on, he clung to me nightly, lavishing me with expensive accessories and gifts, sparing no expense to fill my quarters with presents.

In bed especially, his loving words were always fresh and new.

I slowly became lost in this illusory affection, enduring for five years. However, the "right time" he mentioned never materialized. Instead, I discovered the real reason behind his involvement with me.

Evelyn's initial departure abroad was to compel my birth parents to cease their search for me.

Vincent rescued me and kept me close because his investigation had revealed that I was the legitimate daughter of the Carter Family.

He believed that by keeping me under his watch, confined within the Cross Family's influence, he could help Evelyn cement her position as the true heir.

Yet he also harbored resentment towards my existence, despising me for driving away the woman he cherished.

That night, he hadn't mistaken my identity. He acted because he learned Evelyn had found a new partner while overseas. So, he unleashed his fury and frustration upon me.

How foolish I was to mistake his five years of anger and bitterness for love.

I gathered my thoughts and calmly declined his request, saying without emotion, "There's cold medication in the first-aid box. Taking it directly is more effective."

It was my first time disobeying Vincent's instructions, and he was already displaying signs of irritation.

"Diana, remember your position!" he warned.

I couldn't suppress a chuckle. "And what exactly is my position?"

By now, we no longer shared an employer-employee dynamic or a romantic connection. At most, we could be considered former intimate partners.

"Diana! Don't overstep!" he barked.

He likely assumed his mother would extend my employment contract and that I loved him so completely, like a speck of dust, which fueled his arrogance in reminding me of my "place."

Evelyn pulled at his sleeve with a pitiful look, but her eyes were full of challenge as she regarded me. "Vincent, your maid is so aggressive. She seems to really dislike me. You shouldn't bother her anymore. It's my fault for being stubborn and arguing with Mom and Dad, sneaking out at night. If they knew I got caught in the rain, they'd be so worried…"

If I hadn't already known that Evelyn was merely a cuckoo in the nest, I might have missed the underlying message in her words.

She repeatedly referred to me as "maid," constantly emphasizing my status, and Vincent made no effort to correct her.

I met her gaze with a smile, curious about how she would react if she lost her prized position as the "true heir" she believed she had secured.

When I didn't respond with the anger or inferiority she had anticipated, Evelyn hugged herself tightly, her body shaking uncontrollably.

"Vincent, I'm freezing," she whimpered.

Without hesitation, Vincent carried her to his main bedroom and prepared a hot bath for her. He even went to the kitchen to make ginger tea, following instructions he found online.

Later that night, when I ventured out for a drink of water, I overheard intimate, breathless noises from Vincent's room, causing my heart to ache.

His gentle and attentive treatment of her was a stark contrast to the uninhibited way he had treated me. With me, he had never shown an ounce of tenderness.