The girl fled past her ashamed, red-faced.
"You ruined everything," Darren hissed, grabbing his shirt.
"I wasn't aware this house came with warnings for public indecency."
"You're such a bitter little freak," he spat. "Run along to your creepy old nanny and write sad poems about it."
Evelyn turned without a word and walked towards her room, the plates still in her hands.
She didn't even reach the bottom before Claudia's shrill voice cut through the silence.
"EVELYN!"
Of course, he'd gone running to her. She walked down the stairs to meet Claudia.
Claudia stood at the base of the stairs, arms folded, face pinched in anger.
"Why must you constantly insert yourself where you're not wanted?" she snapped.
"I walked by a door," Evelyn said calmly. "I didn't know I needed a map to avoid your son's hormones."
Claudia's lip curled. "You're jealous. That's what this is. You can't stand that he's normal liked while you slink around like some rejected stray."
"I wasn't aware being liked meant mounting someone on a family couch," Evelyn muttered.
"You little—" Claudia took a step forward.
"Enough." Maris appeared, stepping between them. "That's enough, Claudia."
"Don't you speak to me like we're equals," Claudia snapped. "You're the help. Stay in your place."
Maris straightened. "My place is wherever Evelyn needs me."
Claudia's gaze turned on Evelyn again. "Ungrateful, disrespectful little parasite. If your father had any sense left, you'd have been sent away with the rest of your mother's filth."
Evelyn's jaw tightened. Her hands curled into fists, don't you dare talk about my mother Claudia or are you forgetting you came into my father's life taking her position, you gold digger.
"I'm sorry I interrupted your son's breeding habits," she said icily. "Next time I'll knock… or maybe just burn the couch."
She turned and walked away to her room before anyone could reply., Maris followed her in.
Evelyn slammed the tray on her study table. "I'm so done with this place."
"I know, sweetheart," Maris whispered gently.
"I don't belong here."
"You never did," Maris admitted. "You were always meant for something… bigger."
Evelyn looked at her, surprised.
Maris just smiled.
I wish mother was here Maris, she said and gave her a hug. Thank you maris for always being there for me since I was little.
Of course, you are my pretty Evelyn' Maris said and they both chuckled.