Chapter 1

Really? I asked myself as I entered the building. Nothing has changed since I left four years ago. I made my way to the maid's quarters for my interview, but then the chef saw me.

“Hey, you're here for the job, I guess”.

“Yes sir,” I said slowly.

“You have to remain at the reception, the interviewer will meet you there. Now go! He said authoritatively and turned without looking at me for a second time.

“Amazing,” I muttered slowly. “This was the same Chef I had control of, you can imagine how he had begun ordering me about like a kid. There's no problem.” 

I had barely settled down when Mrs Dorathy walked in.

“How are you, Nina?” She asked me.

“I'm fine, ma’am” I responded without looking at her face directly. I handed the documents she requested and awaited her response. While she did this, I observed her.

“Welcome to your new home, Nina. You'll serve in the mansion, you'll assist the other maid's there. Now, follow me”

My emotions threatened to betray me at this point. But I composed myself not to let it spill. We got to the servants quarters, and I was introduced to the other maid's as Nina Salvatore. Immediately Mrs Dorathy left, Maria came closer and hugged me tightly.

“Welcome home, my boss,” she whispered into my ears.

“I'm no longer the boss,Maria. I'm a maid, just like you.” Immediately I said those words, tears fell from my eyes but I quickly cleaned them.  

“Work starts now, Nina goes with Maria to the living room” Mrs Dorathy instructed.

Mrs Dorathy hasn't changed at all, it seems her level of authority has increased, I was the only one she was afraid of, but now, life has happened and I'm under her.

***********

Do you think he still recognizes me?" I asked as I scrubbed the floor, the soapy water reflected the memories I wished I could wash away.

"How could he not?" Maria replied as she stared back at me, her eyes were full of both pity and disbelief. "You were his wife Nina. His beloved, and the only woman he wanted."

“That was then”. I took a deep breath, and my eyes fell on the staircase where I once walked down in my beautiful and expensive clothes, not the threadbare uniform of a maid. "Maria, things have changed. People see what they want to see," I murmured, more to myself than to her.

Maria sighed, pausing her own work to kneel beside me. "It's dangerous, you know. Coming back here to work as a maid. But what If he finds out"

"He won't," I shot back immediately. "Henry barely notices the staff, so he won't see me."

Maria’s expression softened, but there was an edge of worry in her eyes. "Just be careful, Nina. The past always has a way of catching up with us."

Four years had passed since I last walked in this mansion Nina Windsor, the lady of the house. The memories of that night, my hasty departure and the tears still haunted me as though it happened yesterday. I had left a life of luxury and a man I had once loved desperately, only to return under the guise of a servant. 

My return was not a decision I made lightly. I had spent the past four years in a small village, working in a hospital, trying to forget about him and all that we shared. But some ties are too strong to break, and the pull of the past had eventually become too powerful to resist. So here I was, back in the mansion that had both cradled and crushed me, hoping to stay hidden in plain sight.

As we continued working, I couldn't help but let my mind wander to the man who lived above us. Henry, My husband, Or rather, my former husband, though no formal divorce had been the best thing which had happened to me. In the eyes of the law, we were still bound together, even though our hearts had drifted apart since I left. This was my reality, and I had to face it.

The first real test of my strength came later that morning. I was given instructions to deliver new bed sheets to the master bedroom. “What?” I screamed within me. “Why me of all people?” Does Mrs Dorathy recognize me, and try to get back at me?” This was a room I had once shared with Henry. Well, what am I now? Nothing but a maid and I had no other option but to obey. The journey up the staircase felt calm and emotional, each step I took echoed with memories of happier times.

As I approached the door, I paused with the weight of my secret pressing down on me. Taking a deep breath, I knocked lightly before entering. I expected to hear his voice, but it seems he wasn't in. I pushed the door and entered. The room was just as I left it; elegant, luxurious, and utterly lifeless without the warmth of love that once filled it.

I quickly started my task, hoping to finish before Henry returned. But fate, it seemed, had other plans. The door slowly opened, and I froze, I felt my heart pounding in my chest.

"I didn't expect anyone to be here," Henry's voice echoed, deep and familiar, startling me. I turned slowly, keeping my head bowed in a gesture of apology and respect.

"I'm sorry, sir," I managed to say despite the turmoil inside of me. "I was just trying to finish up."

He stepped further into the room, and I could feel his eyes on me, scrutinizing and assessing. "What's your name?" he asked, with a hint of curiosity in his tone.

"Nina, sir," I replied, the irony of using my real name not lost on me. "Nina Salvatore."

For a moment, there was silence. Then he spoke again, but this time, his voice was softer, like the one I was used to. "Nina?” You remind me of someone I once knew."