Chapter 27

I sit on the edge of Caspian’s bed, my fingers tracing the intricate patterns on the quilt. The room is quiet, save for the faint ticking of the clock on the wall.

It’s been over an hour since he left, and the silence is starting to get to me. My mind wanders back to our earlier conversation, the way his voice had softened when he told me I wasn’t disposable.

My heart does a little flutter at the memory, and I quickly push the thought away. He’d never feel that way about me. I’m just his maid, nothing more.

A knock on the door pulls me from my thoughts. I frown, glancing at the clock. He wouldn’t knock on his own door, would he?

I stand, smoothing out my skirt as I move to open it. My hand hesitates on the knob for a moment before I twist it, pulling the door open.

Eden stands on the other side, a tray of freshly baked cookies in her hands and a premeditated smile plastered on her face.

The smile falls the moment her eyes land on me, replaced by a look of pure disdain.