Chapter 2 - THE GIRL WHO NEVER SAID NO|
Norah had learned long ago that survival sometimes depended on saying yes when every part of her wanted to say no.
She said yes when the men collecting her father's gambling debt arrived at her apartment with threats disguised as polite conversation.
She said yes when they offered her employment at the Costa estate and explained that her wages would be deducted until the debt was settled.
She said yes when they told her not to discuss her father's death.
And she said yes when Roman Costa ordered her to stop speaking to Finn.
But that night, alone in the small staff bedroom at the back of the mansion, she sat on the edge of her bed and allowed herself to be angry.
It was a dangerous emotion.
Anger made people reckless. Recklessness made people noticeable. And people who attracted the attention of the Costa organization rarely enjoyed the consequences.
Still, she couldn't forget Roman's expression when he had heard her call Finn handsome.
He had looked almost offended.
As though she had broken a promise she had never made.
Norah pressed her palms against her eyes.
“Get over yourself,” she whispered.
Roman Costa was her employer. He was not her friend, her protector, or anything else she had no right to imagine.
He was the man whose organization controlled the debt that kept her trapped.
That was all.
The following morning, Norah arrived at Roman's study at six thirty.
He was already awake, standing beside the windows with a telephone pressed to his ear.
“No,” he said coldly. “The shipment stays in Baltimore. I don't care who promised otherwise.”
He listened.
“Then find someone who can read a contract.”
He ended the call and glanced at Norah.
“You're early.”
“You asked me to be available when you were home, sir.”
Something flickered across his face.
He had expected obedience. He hadn't expected her to remember his exact words with such painful precision.
“Coffee.”
“Yes, sir.”
She prepared it exactly as he preferred, placed the cup beside his ledger, and began dusting the bookshelves.
Roman watched her work.
She moved efficiently, never looking at him longer than necessary. The easy warmth he had witnessed in the kitchen had disappeared completely.
He told himself that was what he wanted.
“Did Walker finish repairing the machine?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Did you speak to him?”
“No.”
“Good.”
The word escaped before he could stop it.
Norah paused with a cloth in her hand.
“Was there anything else?”
Roman looked at her.
For one foolish second, he considered apologizing.
Instead, he said, “Your work.”
She resumed dusting.
At ten, Roman's older sister, Isabella, arrived unannounced.
Isabella Costa was thirty-five, elegant, sharp-tongued, and one of the few people in the family who could challenge Roman without immediately regretting it.
She entered the study wearing a cream coat and carrying a leather handbag.
“Good morning, brother.”
“What do you want?”
“Such warmth. I can see why the household staff adore you.”
Norah lowered her eyes, hiding a brief smile.
Isabella noticed.
“You must be Norah.”
“Yes, ma'am.”
“I've heard about you.”
Norah's smile disappeared.
Roman closed his ledger.
“From whom?”
“People talk, Roman. Especially when their employer suddenly rearranges the entire household because a mechanic makes a maid laugh.”
Silence settled over the study.
Norah felt heat rise into her cheeks.
Isabella looked delighted.
“Is it true?”
“No,” Roman replied.
“Which part?”
“Leave.”
His sister laughed.
“I've only just arrived.”
“And now you're leaving.”
Isabella lifted both hands.
“Fine. But before I go, I should tell you that jealousy is an ugly color on you.”
Roman's expression turned dangerous.
Norah quietly collected her cleaning supplies.
As she reached the door, Isabella called after her.
“Norah, dear, don't let my brother frighten you. He's been impossible since childhood.”
“Isabella.”
The warning in Roman's voice was unmistakable.
Norah slipped into the corridor.
She was halfway to the service stairs when she heard footsteps behind her.
It was Isabella.
“Wait.”
Norah stopped.
Isabella's expression had changed. The amusement was gone.
“Do you know why my brother keeps people close?”
Norah shook her head.
“Because he believes everyone eventually wants something from him. Money. Power. Protection. Loyalty.”
She stepped closer.
“Be careful if he starts believing you want nothing.”
Norah frowned.
“Why?”
“Because then he might begin wondering what he wants from you.”
Before Norah could respond, Isabella walked away.
That evening, Norah discovered a folded piece of paper beneath her bedroom door.
No name.
No signature.
Just one sentence.
Your father's debt was paid in full six months ago.
Norah read it three times.
Then she looked at the envelope containing her latest wages.
Someone had continued charging her for a debt that no longer existed.
May you like
And the next line on the paper revealed who had been benefiting.
Ask Roman Costa why he never told you.
