Chapter 2 - The Woman in the Red Dress
Camille was waiting in Alio’s study.
“You humiliated me.”
Alio closed the door.
“You selected that ladder.”
She rolled her eyes.
“This again?”
“It came from a condemned storage shed.”
“So?”
“The household equipment is stored in the east utility room.”
Camille poured herself another drink.
“I wanted the chandelier cleaned.”
“Why Adeline?”
“She was available.”
“Six other employees were available.”
Camille’s hand stopped.
Alio stepped closer.
“Why Adeline?”
Camille smiled.
“You’re becoming obsessed.”
“With what?”
“With her.”
Alio’s expression remained unreadable.
“That’s your answer?”
“I’ve seen how you look at her.”
“I barely knew her name before tonight.”
“You caught her.”
“She was falling.”
“You canceled our engagement party because a maid bruised her wrist.”
“Because someone nearly died in my house.”
Camille turned away.
“You always have to be the hero.”
“No.”
Alio’s voice dropped.
“I simply dislike being lied to.”
Camille looked back.
For the first time, uncertainty appeared in her face.
A knock interrupted them.
Alio opened the door.
His security chief, Matteo Russo, stood outside.
“Boss.”
“What?”
“You should see this.”
Matteo handed him a tablet.
Security footage showed Camille entering the rear storage area that afternoon.
The timestamp read 3:17 p.m.
She inspected several ladders.
Then she selected the oldest one.
Alio watched without speaking.
Camille’s face drained.
“It proves nothing.”
Matteo swiped to another clip.
Camille spoke to the maintenance worker carrying the ladder.
There was no audio.
But the worker pointed toward the damaged rung.
Camille examined it.
Then waved dismissively and ordered him forward.
Alio handed the tablet back.
“Leave us.”
Matteo disappeared.
Camille whispered, “Alio—”
“Did he warn you?”
“He said it was old.”
“Did he warn you?”
“Yes.”
Alio stared at her.
“And you put Adeline on it anyway.”
“I didn’t think it would break.”
“But you knew it might.”
Camille’s temper finally snapped.
“She’s a servant!”
The words echoed through the study.
Alio remained frighteningly calm.
“She’s a mother.”
Camille laughed.
“So now you know her life story?”
“I know enough.”
“You don’t know anything about her.”
Something in Camille’s tone caught his attention.
“What do you know?”
She went silent.
Alio moved closer.
“What do you know about Adeline?”
“Nothing.”
“You just told me I know nothing. That means you believe you know more.”
Camille looked toward the door.
Alio noticed.
“Sit down.”
“I’m leaving.”
“Not until you answer.”
“You don’t own me.”
“No.”
His voice remained even.
“But this is my house.”
Camille sat.
Alio leaned against his desk.
“Start talking.”
Her confidence returned slowly.
“I saw her snooping.”
“Where?”
“Your father’s old office.”
Alio’s expression changed.
“When?”
“Last week.”
“What was she looking for?”
“I don’t know.”
“Did you ask her?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because I decided to investigate her myself.”
Alio stared at her.
Camille continued.
“She isn’t who she claims to be.”
Downstairs, Adeline was buttoning her coat.
Birdie frowned.
“Where are you going?”
“Home.”
“The doctor hasn’t arrived.”
“June is with Mrs. Flores.”
“Alio said—”
“I know what Alio said.”
Birdie smiled slightly.
“That’s the first time you’ve called him Alio.”
Adeline froze.
“I meant Mr. Vicaro.”
Birdie’s smile widened.
The kitchen door opened.
Matteo entered.
“Ms. Mercer?”
“Yes?”
“Mr. Vicaro wants you upstairs.”
Adeline’s stomach tightened.
“Am I fired?”
Matteo almost laughed.
“No.”
“How do you know?”
“Because people getting fired don’t usually get invited into the boss’s private study.”
That didn’t comfort her.
Five minutes later, Adeline entered the study.
Camille sat on one sofa.
Alio stood beside the fireplace.
A photograph lay on the desk.
Adeline saw it.
And stopped breathing.
Alio noticed immediately.
“Do you recognize that?”
Adeline didn’t answer.
The photograph showed a younger woman standing beside Alio’s father twenty-seven years earlier.
The woman had Adeline’s eyes.
Camille leaned back.
“Tell him.”
Adeline whispered, “Where did you get that?”
Alio’s attention shifted to Camille.
“Answer her.”
“Your archives.”
Adeline stared at the photograph.
“That’s my mother.”
Silence swallowed the room.
Alio looked at Adeline.
“Your mother knew my father?”
Adeline slowly nodded.
“Yes.”
“And you knew before taking this job?”
Another pause.
“Yes.”
Camille smiled triumphantly.
“There.”
Alio ignored her.
“Why are you here, Adeline?”
Adeline finally raised her eyes.
May you like
“Because your father destroyed my family.”
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