"Our families have so much in common, Liam," Isabella said. "We could be a power couple. Don't you think?"
"I think you talk too much, Isabella," Liam replied.
They walked past Elena's hiding spot. Elena watched as Isabella tossed her hair back in a fake laugh. Just as Elena remembered, the latch on the right earring was loose. It caught on Isabella's silk scarf.
The emerald earring fell silently into the grass.
The couple kept walking. They did not notice.
Elena waited until their voices faded away. Then, she stepped out from behind the trees. She knelt on the grass. She moved her hand through the blades of green.
Her fingers touched something cold and hard.
She picked up the earring. The emerald glowed even in the moonlight. It was worth thousands of dollars.
In her past life, this earring was a weapon used against her mother. In this life, it was her first piece of leverage.
Elena tucked the earring into the secret pocket of her apron.
The game has changed, she thought. And I am the one with the winning hand.
She heard a twig snap behind her.
She turned around quickly. A shadow was standing under a willow tree.
"What are you doing out here, Elena Moore?"
It was Liam. He had doubled back. He was standing only ten feet away. His eyes were dark and suspicious.
Elena felt the weight of the stolen earring in her pocket. If he caught her with it, her second life would end before it truly began.
"I was just looking for some fresh air sir," she said. Her heart was thundering, but her face remained cold.
Liam stepped closer. The moonlight hit his face. He looked at her with a strange expression.
"You are a very bad liar," he whispered.
He reached out his hand toward her.
Elena stood her ground. She did not move. She did not blink.
The suspense in the air was thick.
"Maids do not come to this part of the garden for fresh air. This is the family's private walk. Most servants avoid it. They are afraid of my father. But you are not afraid, are you?" He said.
Elena looked up at him. She did not blink. "I did not know it was forbidden sir. I am new. I will go back to the kitchen now."
She tried to move past him. But Liam shifted his weight and blocked her path.
He put one hand on the trunk of the willow tree behind her. He was trapping her.
"I asked you a question earlier," Liam said.
He ignored her attempt to leave. "In my room, you looked at me with hate. Why? I have never seen you before today. My family pays your wages. You should be grateful. Instead, you look at me as if I have stolen something from you."
Elena felt a bitter taste in her mouth. He had stolen everything from her.
In another life, his weakness had cost her her mother and her daughter. But she could not say that. If she revealed the truth, she would be sent to a mental hospital.
"You are mistaken sir," Elena said. Her voice was flat and empty of emotion.
"I do not hate you. I do not feel anything for you at all. You are the master. I am the maid. That is the only connection between us."
Liam's eyes darkened. He was a man who was used to being the center of everyone's world. Elena's indifference was a slap to his pride.
He opened his mouth to say something else, but a loud voice interrupted them from the direction of the mansion.
"Liam! Where did you go?"
It was Isabella. Her voice was high and sharp. She sounded annoyed.
Elena saw the flash of irritation on Liam's face. In addition, she saw her opportunity. "Miss Thorne is looking for you sir. It would be rude to keep your future wife waiting."
Liam looked at Elena one last time. He seemed to be searching for something in her expression. Nevertheless, he found nothing.
Elena had perfected the art of the blank stare.
He stepped back and straightened his suit jacket.
"This conversation is not over, Elena Moore," he said. He turned and walked back toward the lights of the mansion.
Elena waited until he was gone. She let out a long breath. Her legs felt weak.
She reached into her pocket and gripped the earring. She had to hide it. If the Sterlings searched the servant quarters tonight, she could not have it on her.
She walked quickly to a stone fountain near the edge of the woods. There was a loose brick at the base of the fountain.
She had discovered it years ago in her previous life. She pulled the brick out, tucked the earring into the small hole, and pushed the brick back.
"Now," she whispered. "Let Isabella start her drama."
Elena hurried back to the servant's entrance. She entered the kitchen just as the chaos began.
Mrs. Gable was shouting. Two other maids were crying.
In the middle of the room, Martha stood with her head down. Her shoulders were shaking.
"I did not take it!" Martha cried. "I was only clearing the dessert plates! I never touched her jewelry!"
Elena's blood turned to ice. It was happening. Isabella had already realized the earring was gone.
Just like in the past, she had blamed the woman closest to her at the table.
"Search her!" Mrs. Gable screamed.
"Miss Thorne is hysterical! That earring is worth a fortune. If it is not found, we will all be fired!"
Elena pushed through the crowd of servants. She went straight to her mother and put her arms around her.
Martha was sobbing into her hands.
"Stop it!" Elena shouted. Her voice was so loud that the room went silent. "My mother is not a thief."
Mrs. Gable stepped forward. Her face was red with anger.
"How dare you speak to me that way? Move aside Elena. Miss Thorne said your mother was leaning over her right before she noticed the earring was missing."
"So because of that, she must have taken it?" Elena asked.
She sneered at the housekeeper. "Isabella Thorne is careless. Perhaps she dropped it. Did anyone check the garden? Did anyone check the dining room floor?"
"We checked everywhere," a voice said from the doorway.
Arthur Sterling walked into the kitchen. He was followed by Isabella and Liam.
Isabella's eyes were red. She looked like a victim.
However, Elena knew those were crocodile tears. Isabella enjoyed this power. She enjoyed seeing the poor suffer.
"This is a serious matter," Arthur said. His voice was like a heavy stone.
"A guest in my house has been robbed. Martha, you have been with us for ten years. I did not expect this from you."
"I didn't do it, Mr. Sterling," Martha sobbed. She looked at her boss with pleading eyes. "Please, believe me."
Elena felt the familiar heat of rage in her chest. This was the mother she had lost.
This was the woman who had worked until her bones ached to provide a life for her daughter. And these people were treating her like a criminal.
"Search our room," Elena said. She looked directly at Arthur Sterling.
"Search my mother. Search me. But when you find nothing, I want an apology. My mother deserves respect."