Victoria sat on the couch, smiling softly as Chriss whispered something in her ear. When they heard footsteps approaching, she quickly sat upright and cleared her throat.
A moment later, Grace appeared at the door.
"Yes, ma'am, you called me?" she asked politely.
Victoria looked at her, forcing a calm tone. "Grace, I want to send you to town," she said sweetly, glancing at Chriss. "I need you to buy a few things for me."
Grace nodded. "Alright, ma'am."
Victoria quickly took a small paper from the table and handed it to her together with some cash. "Here's the list. Go quickly, and don't take too long. The supermarket near the main road should have everything."
Grace smiled slightly. "Okay, ma'am. I'll be back soon."
"Good," Victoria replied, trying to hide her impatience. "And make sure you go alone."
As soon as Grace stepped out and the door closed, Victoria turned back to Chriss with a playful smile. "Finally," she whispered, moving closer to him.
Chriss chuckled softly. "You just wanted to get rid of her, didn't you?"
Victoria laughed quietly. "Of course. I can't have anyone disturbing us."
Meanwhile, as Grace walked away, something inside her felt uneasy. She couldn't explain it, but her heart told her something wasn't right in that house.
Grace walked through the busy town, holding the shopping list in her hand. She bought everything Victoria had written — perfumes, and a few expensive creams.
When she was done, she took a deep breath and started walking back to the house. Her mind wasn't calm.
She sighed and whispered to herself,
"Hmm… Victoria thinks I'm a child. She sent me all the way to town just so they can have time to do their nonsense together."
Grace shook her head slowly, a small, sad smile forming on her lips.
"She doesn't know I already see what's going on in that house. One day, everything she hides will come out."
She tightened her grip on the shopping bag, her steps firm and confident.
"I'm not just a maid," she murmured. "I'm a mother… and a mother always sees the truth."
After she was back home, she walked quietly up the driveway, the shopping bags in her hands. The sun was beginning to dip low, casting long shadows across the garden. Her heart beat steadily, calm but alert. She knew exactly what to expect.
As she entered the house, she froze for a second. Victoria and Chriss were sitting on the sofa, talking and laughing quietly. They both looked up as she stepped in.
"Oh, you're back so soon," Victoria said smoothly, forcing a polite smile.
"Yes, ma'am," Grace replied, her voice steady. She carefully placed the bags on the counter, making it seem like a normal return from town.
Chriss stood and nodded politely. "Hello, Grace. Thanks for running the errands."
Grace kept her expression neutral. She watched them closely as she moved past them to put the groceries away. Her mind whispered silently:
So this is what they wanted… to be alone together. I see you, Victoria. But don't think I don't know.