Chapter 16
Before she could say anything, something crashed just outside the door.
They both looked over.
Samantha was standing there, white-faced, eyes full of tears. A lunch container had fallen at her feet, soup spilled all over the floor.
She looked at Nicholas, voice breaking.
“So that’s why… That’s why you wouldn’t let me stay and take care of you. Because of that?”
Tears spilled down her cheeks.
“You’re right. I’m just an outsider. I shouldn’t have stayed here this long and made everyone hate me. I’ll leave right now.”
She turned and ran.
“Samantha!”
Nicholas’s face changed instantly. He shoved the servants aside and chased after her without a second thought, not caring that the movement reopened his wound.
Katherine stood where she was and looked at the empty doorway.
The next morning, the servants whispered that Nicholas had spent the entire night coaxing Samantha into calming down. By sunrise, he had ordered the whole estate to treat her as half the mistress of the house.
Lila’s eyes were red with rage.
“How can he do this? You’re the lady of the house.”
Katherine only gave a small, indifferent hum and went back to what she was doing.
Not long after, Nicholas brought Samantha to Katherine’s courtyard.
Samantha leaned against him, apology on her lips and triumph in her eyes.
“Katherine, I’m really sorry. Nicholas said that even if I’m not the mistress of this estate, I’m not an outsider either. I can have whatever I need.”
She smiled sweetly.
“I told him I like your courtyard. It’s quiet and elegant, and the view is lovely. Nicholas said I could have it. So… I’ll need you to move.”
Lila burst into tears.
“Miss Lester, that’s not appropriate. Mrs. Padilla is the lady of the house. How can you—”
“Lila.”
Katherine’s voice was soft, but it stopped her.