Chapter 5

The wind outside howled like crazy. No heating, no AC-this crappy room that even the Bennett family's maids wouldn't touch was freezing like an icebox. The light overhead was dim and flickering. Sabrina leaned against the headboard, flipping through a half-torn diary in her hands. It was full of all kinds of small, pitiful thoughts. Being a wealthy young madam wasn't at all the glamorous deal people imagined-it was just endless days drowned in hopeless waiting. One thing was clear-her husband didn't love her. Or more like, the man she was in love with didn't love her back. No matter how hard she tried, Sabrina couldn't remember whether, before she came back to life, she really was planning to run off with someone. Even when people caught her red-handed, she got beaten to death without ever giving up the name of her so-called lover-maybe there was never anyone to name in the first place. She couldn't stop wondering-what was written in the rest of the diary? And who had ripped those pages out? While she was lost in thought, a piece of yarn slipped out of the notebook and landed in her lap. A steel-gray strand. Nothing special. She picked it up and looked at it, but couldn't see anything unusual. Maybe it had just ended up there by accident. Then suddenly, a racket broke out outside the room. The door flew open with a loud crash. Ida stormed in, glaring at Sabrina like she'd committed some crime. "Told you to keep your head down and get your work done, but no-you had to make a scene. Seriously? You raised your hand against the fourth granddaughter? You got a death wish or what?" Jane followed in, sneering when she saw Sabrina looking all calm like nothing had happened. "Mrs. Bennett wants to see you. She's gonna teach you a lesson herself this time." Hearing that, Sabrina's eyes stayed still and cool. She slowly got out of bed. ***** In the bedroom, Matilda sat with her silver hair elegantly done up, clad in a sleek satin nightgown. She looked every bit the regal matriarch. Usually, she'd be in bed by now-it was way past her regular bedtime. But tonight, her routine had been thrown off. Simone was draped over her lap, sobbing her heart out. One second clutching her wrist, the next grasping her throat-like she was the picture of pure misery. Seeing her like that made Matilda's heart ache. She turned sharply to the others and barked, "Has someone called Dr. Parker? What's taking him so long?" Grace Hudson, who'd served Matilda for years, quickly replied, "Yes ma'am, already called. Dr. Parker said he's on his way." Matilda gently wiped her granddaughter's tear-streaked face, but you could feel the fury still bubbling inside her. "Where's that wretched girl? Has she been dragged in yet?" Grace nodded. "They're bringing her-should be here any minute. But ma'am, ever since that Sabrina woke up, she's been... acting a bit strange." Simone nodded quickly. Matilda brushed back her hair and scoffed, "Hah. What could she possibly stir up? She's nothing." Grace lowered her voice. "Still, ma'am... we shouldn't take it lightly. Remember how that Maureen Gray used to practice weird stuff? Tore our family upside down. And this girl's her daughter..." Matilda's brow tightened just as a slim silhouette appeared at the doorway. Simone instantly jumped up, clutching Matilda's arm, pointing straight at Sabrina with fire in her eyes. Matilda looked just as disgusted, then signaled to the others. "Tie this disgrace up. Right now." No sooner had she spoken than four or five maids closed in around Sabrina. The one in front towered over her, and went straight for Sabrina's hair with a big, meaty hand, all full of rage. Jane and Ida usually hesitated around Sabrina, but this time, there was no way she could take on all of them alone. Both reached out to grab her- But suddenly, the maid who made the first move let out a blood-curdling scream.