Chapter 2 - Sparks in the GardenGrace stood frozen, her fingers tightly clutching the hem of her apron as Vivien turned on her heel and glided out of the room. The air felt thick with tension. Grace took a deep, trembling breath, picking up the small handmade teddy bear and hugging it against her chest.
Outside in the manicured gardens, the late afternoon sun was beginning to drop, casting long, golden shadows across the lawn. A giant marquee had been erected for the evening gala, decorated with white orchids, crystal chandeliers, and shimmering silk banners. In a smaller brick courtyard nearby, a small barbecue pit was burning with glowing embers, prepared by the outdoor catering team for the evening’s late-night roasted appetizers.
Grace walked out toward the courtyard to find Lily, who was sitting happily on a wooden bench with Cook Martha, a warm-hearted woman in her fifties who had worked for the Callaways for over a decade.
"Look, Mommy!" Lily squeaked, holding up a small plastic bubble wand. "Martha showed me how to make giant bubbles!"
"She's been an angel, Grace," Martha said softly, giving Grace an encouraging smile. "Don't you worry about a thing. The kitchen staff prepared a beautiful little strawberry cake for her. We'll celebrate properly, no matter what high-and-mighty guests walk through those front doors."
Grace smiled weakly, kissing the top of Lily's curls. "Thank you, Martha. I just need to finish setting up the dessert tables in the main hall."
While Grace was busy inside, Vivien marched out into the garden courtyard, accompanied by her personal assistant, Chloe. Vivien’s face was flushed with irritation. She had just checked the guest list and discovered that several major high-society magazines were sending photographers specifically because Nathaniel had leaked a brief mention of the dual celebration. The narrative in the press was already spinning: “Logistics Tycoon Nathaniel Callaway and Fiancee Vivien Marsh Host Heartwarming Birthday for Maid’s Toddler.”
Vivien felt a surge of bitter resentment. How dare that little beggar steal my spotlight? she thought furiously. This is supposed to be MY day. My ring. My empire.
"Chloe," Vivien snapped, stopping near the edge of the courtyard where the birthday gifts had been temporarily moved onto a utility cart by one of the junior footmen.
"Yes, Miss Marsh?" Chloe asked nervously.
"Look at this junk," Vivien sneered, flipping open a paper gift bag containing a hand-knitted sweater from Martha. "It’s pathetic. If the photographers snap pictures of this low-class garbage, it will ruin the entire luxury image I’ve built for this brand."
"Should I have the footman put them in the staff quarter storage?" Chloe suggested timidly.
Vivien’s eyes narrowed as her glance drifted toward the brick barbecue pit. The wood coals inside were glowing bright orange, emitting a low, intense heat. A dark, twisted idea took root in her mind. She wanted to send a clear, unshakeable message to Grace and every other servant in this house: I rule this mansion now.
"No," Vivien said, a chilling smile touching her lips. "Storage isn't enough. I want them destroyed so that little brat doesn't drag them into the main house while the reporters are here."
"Miss Marsh?" Chloe gasped, her eyes widening. "You don't mean..."
"Wheel the cart over to the pit," Vivien ordered, her voice dropping into a harsh whisper. "Do it now, or you're fired before the party even begins."
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Chloe trembled but didn't dare disobey. She grabbed the metal handles of the utility cart and pushed it over to the glowing brick pit.
Vivien reached onto the cart, picked up the bright red gift box containing the little silver elephant music box—the very gift Nathaniel had secretly bought—and tossed it right into the fiery pit. Then, without a second thought, she grabbed the handmade teddy bear, the knitted sweater, the colorful storybooks, and the wrapped boxes, dumping them all into the flames.
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