Chapter 11 - The Threat
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An hour later, Maya was in the basement laundry room, scrubbing the tea stains out of her apron, her heart still hammering in her chest. The heavy metal door swung open, and Vivian stepped inside, locking the deadbolt behind her.
The basement was entirely soundproof. They were completely alone.
Vivian walked slowly toward the industrial sinks, her eyes burning with a venomous, unhinged rage. She didn't look like a grieving fiancée; she looked like a predator.
"You think you’re very clever, don't you?" Vivian hissed, stopping a few feet away from Maya.
"I don't know what you mean, miss," Maya replied, keeping her eyes downcast.
Vivian reached out and grabbed Maya violently by the jaw, forcing the maid to look her in the eye. Her manicured nails dug painfully into Maya’s skin.
"I saw what you did," Vivian whispered, her breath smelling of mint and gin. "You tripped on purpose. You’re protecting him."
"I am just a maid," Maya repeated her mantra, trying to pull away.
"You are an obstacle," Vivian sneered, tightening her grip. "And I eliminate obstacles. I know where your family lives, Maya. I know about your little sister in Queens. If you ever interfere with my plans again, if you ever step between me and Damian, I will have my men burn her apartment building to the ground with her inside it."
A cold, paralyzing terror washed over Maya. Vivian wasn't just greedy; she was murderous.
Vivian violently shoved Maya backward against the stainless-steel sink.
"You are going to go upstairs, and you are going to pack your bags, and you are going to leave this estate," Vivian commanded. "Or you will be attending a funeral long before Damian does."
Vivian turned and marched out of the laundry room, the heavy door slamming shut behind her.
Maya slid down the side of the sink, landing on the cold tile floor. She hugged her knees to her chest, her breathing shallow and panicked. She was terrified. She wanted to run.
May you like
But then she thought of Damian, trapped in a wheelchair, surrounded by wolves. If she left, he would die.
Maya wiped her tears, her expression hardening into absolute resolve. She wasn't going to run. She was going to help Damian burn Vivian to the ground.
