Chapter 8
Linnea almost resigned.
I expected it.
What surprised me was why.
“Everyone looks at me.”
Of course.
She had become the maid Cillian defended.
Not Linnea.
Symbol.
Again.
Different cage.
Staff whispered.
Guests apologized awkwardly.
Some treated her with sudden exaggerated respect.
She hated all of it.
“I want to work without being the woman from the party.”
Fair.
I offered transfer.
She chose the country property.
Smaller staff.
No social events.
Good.
Then she asked:
“Did I cause your engagement to end?”
“No.”
Immediate.
She still looked unconvinced.
“Rosamund made choices. My father made choices. I made a choice.”
“But if I had just—”
“No.”
My voice sharpened enough that she stopped.
“You do not carry consequences for what people did to you.”
She nodded.
Then smiled faintly.
“Bossy.”
“Yes.”
First time she joked with me.
Good.
She transferred two weeks later.
No promotion.
No ceremonial reward.
Just a different job because she wanted one.
That mattered.
May you like
Not every harmed person needs to become an executive by the final chapter.
Sometimes dignity is being allowed to return to ordinary life.
