Melissa sank to her knees before Aurora, her hands trembling, eyes glossy with unshed tears. "Ma'am," she began, her voice choked with emotion, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry for everything that happened…"
Aurora stared down at her coldly, unmoved by the sudden display of guilt.Melissa lowered her head even further. "Please… forgive me. I did it all out of jealousy. I insulted you, I mocked you, I made you feel like you depended on Sir Jake for everything. And I did it on purpose… all of it. I wanted to create a rift between you two and I succeeded."
Tears began to roll freely down Melissa's cheeks now. "I was stupid. So, so stupid. I was jealous and full of hatred. The truth is, I envy you, Ma'am." Aurora raised a brow but said nothing.
"You're everything I'm not," Melissa continued, voice cracking. "You're rich… beautiful… powerful. You have a prestigious career, influence, elegance and a man like Sir Jake by your side. That alone drove me crazy." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "And when Vogue Magazine featured you for your style and grace, that was the last straw. I couldn't take it. The world admired you, and all I could feel was bitterness. I wanted you out of Sir Jake's life, so I could have him all to myself."
Jake clenched his jaw, watching the scene silently.Melissa looked up pleadingly. "Please don't be angry with him. He's not at fault here. I am. This is all my doing." Aurora's lips curled in fury. Her voice was low and sharp, laced with ice.
"Of course, he's at fault," she snapped. "Why did it take him this long to throw you out of this house?" Jake rolled his eyes. "That's exactly what I wanted to—"
"Jake, enough!" Aurora cut him off, her voice thunderous. "Did I ask you a question?"
Jake raised his hands defensively. "What? Aurora, listen—"
She shot him a death glare so intense it froze him mid-sentence."What the fuck…" he muttered under his breath and let out a long sigh. "Fine. Melissa, go ahead."
He stepped aside with folded arms and leaned against the wall, clearly irritated.
Aurora ignored him completely and focused on the girl kneeling before her.
"So?" she demanded. "He knew you were disrespecting me. What took him so long to throw you out of this house?" Melissa gulped and wiped her tears with the back of her hand. "About that, Ma'am…" she said softly. "Sir Jake… he's a man who keeps his promises. No matter what."
She paused, her eyes distant as if reliving the past. "He made a promise to my late mother on her dying bed. My mom was once the head maid of this mansion. Everyone respected her. Sir Jake… he respected her the most." Aurora's expression wavered slightly, but she said nothing.
Melissa's voice quivered with memory. "Sir Jake… he used to call her 'Mama Rea.' She'd massage his head when he was tired. Sit with him when he was lonely. She was more than a maid she was like a second mother to him. She understood him in ways no one else did. When he was sad, she could tell without a word. She'd pack his lunch, tidy his room herself, pick out his clothes every morning… not because it was her job, but because she cared."
Jake blinked, his jaw tightening with restrained emotion. Melissa continued, "I, on the other hand… I was the troublemaker. I'd beg Sir Jake for money and gifts like a brat, and he would always give in. But Mom never approved. She'd scold me, knock me on the head right in front of him. I'd pout, and he would just stroke my hair and apologize for me."
She shook her head, more tears falling.
"I misunderstood his kindness. I thought it was love. I really believed he had feelings for me. I didn't realize… it was just genuine care. Not love." She sniffled. "When Mom was dying, she made him promise to look after me. To never abandon me. And he did. That's why he didn't throw me out even when I crossed the line. Even when I insulted you."
Jake's voice broke in gently. "She used to call her 'you naughty rascal'…"
The room fell quiet for a moment until Melissa laughed softly through her tears. Aurora blinked in surprise. She didn't even realize she was crying until a single tear slipped down her cheek. She wiped it quickly.
Jake glanced at her and chuckled lightly. Melissa's laughter followed.Despite everything the tension, the hurt, the betrayal this memory broke the silence with a thread of bittersweet warmth.