CHAPTER 73: 73 - DON’T CARE

73

~Lisa’s POV

As soon as Belinda walked out of the room, I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. The tension she left behind still hung thick in the air. I bent down and started arranging the linen on the bed, smoothing the corners, fluffing the pillows. Anything to keep my hands busy and my thoughts quiet.

I was almost done when I heard the door creak open again.

Belinda.

She walked in like she owned the world, her heels clicking against the floor with every step. She sat on the bed, right on the sheet I had just arranged, and hissed loudly.

"You think you’re smart, don’t you?" she muttered, eyes narrowing at me.

I didn’t reply. I didn’t even look at her. I just adjusted the last pillow and moved toward the laundry basket, ready to leave.

"Wait," she said sharply.

I paused, my back still to her.

"Something is missing in this room."

I turned slowly, confused. "Missing?"

"My gold earring," she said, tilting her chin up like she was addressing someone below her. "It was right here on my dressing table. And now it’s gone."

I stared at her for a moment, then scoffed. "Is that what you’re resorting to now?"

Her eyes darkened. "What did you say?"

"You heard me," I said, folding my arms. "Accusing me of theft just because you’re jealous or bored or both."

Before I could blink, her hand flew and slapped me across the cheek. Hard.

I staggered back, holding my face.

"You filthy maid!" she snapped. "How dare you talk back to me? When your superior speaks, you shut your mouth and listen. That’s how things work here."

I blinked back tears, not from the pain, but from the rage building up in my chest. She raised her hand again.

But this time, I caught it mid-air.

"Don’t you dare," I growled, my voice shaking. "I didn’t steal your gold. And if you don’t believe me, then search me."

Belinda looked stunned for a second. Then she let out a mocking laugh.

"Search you? Oh no, that would be too easy," she sneered. Then she turned to the door and shouted, "Mara!"

One of the younger maids walked in hesitantly, bowing her head.

"Yes, my lady?"

"Strip her," Belinda said coldly.

My heart dropped. "What?!"

Mara looked at her in horror. "My lady, I..."

"I said strip her! She’s hiding my gold somewhere on her!"

I stepped back, my hands trembling. "You’re insane. I said search me, not humiliate me."

"It’s only humiliating if you have something to hide," Belinda said, smiling cruelly. "Come on, Mara. Do it."

Mara was frozen in place, her eyes darting between the two of us.

"Don’t touch me," I warned, taking another step back. "I didn’t take anything, and you know it. This is just another one of your sick games."

"You think I won’t do it myself?" Belinda stood and took a step toward me.

I clenched my fists. "You’re going too far."

"Too far was letting you stay in this palace," she spat. "Too far was letting you catch their attention. But no more. You think you’re special? You’re nothing. Just a maid who got lucky."

I stared at her, the rage boiling inside me like fire. "No," I said, my voice trembling. "I’m not special. I’m just not afraid of you anymore."

That seemed to shock her.

She called in another maid, giving orders to strip me.

I couldn’t believe what was happening.

They grabbed me roughly, one holding my wrist and the other tugging at my gown like I was some rag to be torn apart. I struggled, panicking, my heart pounding so loud I could barely hear myself think.

"Stop! Let go of me!" I screamed, kicking and jerking.

But they didn’t stop. My dress was halfway down my shoulder when the door suddenly flew open.

"Enough!" Damon’s voice boomed from the doorway.

Everything froze. The two maids dropped their hands instantly. Belinda spun around in fake shock, like a child caught in a lie.

"Damon!" she cried, running toward him like she was the victim. "Oh, thank goodness you came!"

Damon didn’t move. His eyes scanned the room, then landed on me, my hair messy, my dress torn on one side, my chest rising and falling with every angry breath I took.

"What’s going on?" he asked, voice low and dangerous.

Belinda pouted, her voice turning soft. "She... she stole from me, Damon. My gold earring is missing. I just wanted to search her before she runs off with it."

I wiped my face, blinking through the shame and fury that clouded my eyes.

"I didn’t steal anything!" I shouted, pointing at her. "She’s lying! She’s doing this because she hates me."

Damon didn’t say anything right away. He looked at Belinda with a narrowed gaze. "You know the rules," he said coldly. "Anyone caught stealing faces fifty strokes. No one steals here because they know what happens to them. Why would she do something that stupid?"

Belinda blinked, acting innocent. "I’m telling you, Damon. I was just trying to stop her from hiding it. You know how sneaky these maids can be."

"Strip-searching her in front of others?" he asked quietly. "Do you think that’s normal?"

"She’s the thief!" Belinda snapped. "You’re defending her?"

"She said she didn’t take anything!" Damon snapped back.

I was breathing hard, my hands balled into fists. "If she’s so sure I stole it, she can search me now. I don’t care! I have nothing to hide."

"Enough," Damon said, raising a hand.

Then, he walked past Belinda and over to the closet. He swung the doors open and bent slightly to peer into the corner. As he moved, his foot hit something small.

A tiny clink.

We all turned.

He looked down and picked something up, holding it between his fingers.

Belinda’s earring.

He raised an eyebrow and held it up. "Is this it?"

The room fell into a heavy silence.

Belinda blinked. "I... I didn’t put it there! She must’ve hidden it in..."

"I kicked it out from the back of your closet," Damon said flatly. "It was dusty. It’s been there for a while."

Belinda’s mouth hung open, but no words came.

I stood there, trembling. Rage and humiliation swirled inside me like a storm.

I released myself from the maids’ grip and ran out of the room.