Chapter 1
The cold downpour lashed against the polished marble pillars of the grand estate, turning the sprawling courtyard into a mirror of flashing headlights and churning gray water. Grace knelt directly on the wet pavement, her knees aching from the impact, her black-and-white maid uniform ruined by mud and soaked entirely through. A torn sleeve dangled from her right shoulder, exposing skin mottled with goosebumps, while a stained apron clung to her shivering frame. Yet, her arms were locked in an unyielding, protective circle around a tiny, trembling golden retriever puppy. The animal pressed its warm, beating heart against her chest, its wide, soulful eyes wide with a mixture of terror and absolute trust.
Footsteps slapped heavily against the wet stone as Julian rushed out through the massive mahogany front doors. His expensive black suit and silk tie were soaked, clinging tightly to his tall, muscular frame, his dark hair slicked back across his forehead by the relentless rain. He skidded to a halt, his chest heaving as he stared down at the young woman he had employed for barely three months.
“Grace, hold on!” Julian shouted over the roar of the storm, his voice cracking with a frantic urgency that cut through the thunder.
Grace looked up, her face tear-stained, water washing away the salt of her grief. She buried her face briefly into the soft, golden fur of the puppy before lifting her gaze back to Julian. Her voice was barely a whisper, trembling with a mixture of profound fear and immense relief.
“He’s safe,” Grace said softly, her breath catching in her throat. “The puppy is safe.”
The golden retriever looked up directly at Julian, its wet fur matting around its forehead, its trusting eyes blinking against the stinging rain.
Julian dropped to his knees on the slick pavement beside her, ignoring the icy water soaking his trousers. He breathed heavily, his hands hovering over Grace’s shoulders before he gripped her arms, looking intently into her eyes.
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“Look at me,” Julian demanded, his voice dropping to a harsh, urgent rasp. “What did she do?”
High above them, standing calmly on the lit upper balcony of the mansion, Eleanor watched the scene unfold. Dressed in a long, immaculate white silk dress that seemed to glow against the dark night, she stood with her arms neatly folded. A cold, satisfied smile touched the corners of her lips as she gazed down at her husband and the trembling maid. Deep emotional tension filled the rainy scene, heavy and suffocating. Julian turned his head slightly upward, catching a glimpse of his wife’s silhouette on the balcony. His jaw clenched so hard a muscle twitched in his cheek. He pulled Grace and the puppy closer, shielding them from the wind, realizing instantly that the nightmare inside the house had only just begun.
