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Chapter 4: The New Normal

Chapter 4: The New Normal

The next morning, the Rossi estate woke up to a seismic shift. The head housekeeper, Mrs. Gable, handed Beatrice a brand-new uniform, her eyes wide with newfound, terrified respect. But before Beatrice could put it on, Mateo intercepted her in the hallway.

"You don't wear that anymore," Mateo said, handing her a sleek, black credit card. "Leo wants you to buy clothes. Real clothes. You’re no longer a maid, Beatrice."

"What am I, then?" she asked, bewildered.

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"You're Lily's guardian," he replied. "And effectively, the second most protected person in this house."

Beatrice spent the afternoon with Lily in the sunroom. The little girl clung to her side, reading books and eating shortbread. When Leo returned from his syndicate meetings, he didn't retreat to his study. He sat in the armchair opposite them, just watching them. For the first time in years, the crushing weight in his chest seemed to lighten.

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