: A Glimpse
Alexander Mansion – Main Kitchen – 8:00 AM
Three days had passed since the engagement dinner.
Three days since Zara had seen Liam Sterling.
Three days of Imani watching her like a hawk, waiting for her to make a mistake.
Zara stood at the kitchen sink, washing dishes. Her hands were raw from the hot water. Her back ached from standing for hours.
But her mind was elsewhere.
His eyes.
She couldn't forget the way he had looked at her through the crack in the service door. Like he had seen her. Really seen her.
No one had ever looked at her like that.
"Zara."
She blinked. Mrs. Patmore stood beside her, a worried look on her face.
"You've washed that same plate three times, child."
Zara looked down. The plate was spotless.
"I'm sorry," she mumbled, setting it aside.
Mrs. Patmore lowered her voice. "You've been distracted since the dinner. Is it the Sterling boy?"
Zara's face grew warm. "No."
"Liar."
"I'm not—"
"Child, I've known you since you were born. I can read you like a book." Mrs. Patmore took the dishcloth from her hands. "Go take the trash out. Get some air. You look like you're about to faint."
Zara nodded. She picked up the trash bag and walked toward the back door.
---
Alexander Mansion – Back Alley – 8:15 AM
The morning air was cold.
Zara breathed deeply, feeling the chill fill her lungs. The alley behind the mansion was quiet. No servants. No Imani. No Amara.
Just her.
She tossed the trash bag into the dumpster and leaned against the brick wall.
She closed her eyes.
Why can't I stop thinking about him?
She didn't know his voice. She didn't know his laugh. She didn't know anything about him except his name and his face.
But his face...
"Excuse me."
Zara's eyes flew open.
Her heart stopped.
Liam Sterling stood at the end of the alley, a cup of coffee in his hand.
He was wearing a dark coat and jeans. His hair was slightly messy, like he had just woken up.
He looked casual. Human.
Not like the polished, perfect man from the engagement dinner.
Zara straightened up quickly. "I'm sorry—I shouldn't be—I'll go—"
"Wait."
She froze.
Liam walked toward her slowly. Not too fast. Not too close.
"I didn't mean to scare you," he said. "I was just walking by and I saw you."
Zara looked down. "I should go back inside."
"You're not in trouble, are you?"
The question caught her off guard. She looked up.
Liam's eyes were curious. Concerned.
"No," she said. "I was just taking out the trash."
"In the alley behind the mansion?"
Zara didn't know how to answer that. She was a servant. Alleys were where she belonged.
"I should go," she said again.
"Before you do..." Liam took a small step closer. "What's your name?"
Zara blinked. "You already know my name."
"I know your name is Zara. But I don't know anything else about you." He smiled slightly. "So. What's your name?"
She was confused. "I just told you. Zara."
"No." He shook his head. "Your full name. Zara... what?"
Zara hesitated.
She didn't have a last name. Not really. Imani had never given her one. On the few documents that existed for her, she was just "Zara."
"I don't have one," she said quietly.
Liam's smile faded. "Everyone has a last name."
"Not me."
The words hung in the air.
Liam studied her face. His expression was unreadable.
"Zara," he said finally. "That's a beautiful name."
Zara's heart fluttered.
She hated that it fluttered.
"I have to go," she whispered.
She turned and walked back toward the mansion.
She didn't look back.
But she felt his eyes on her until she disappeared inside.
---
Alexander Mansion – Living Room – 10:00 AM
Liam sat on the leather sofa, across from Mr. Alexander.
Amara was supposed to be there, but she was running late. Hair. Makeup. Clothes. Everything took time.
"So," Mr. Alexander said, pouring himself a cup of tea. "How are you finding the wedding planning?"
Liam forced a smile. "It's... detailed."
Mr. Alexander laughed. "That's one way to put it. Amara has strong opinions."
"She does."
A moment of silence.
Then Mr. Alexander said, "I saw you in the alley this morning."
Liam's heart stopped.
"With Zara," Mr. Alexander continued. He didn't sound angry. Just... curious.
Liam chose his words carefully. "I was walking by. She was taking out the trash. We exchanged a few words."
"That's all?"
"That's all."
Mr. Alexander studied him for a long moment. Then he nodded slowly.
"Zara is a good girl," he said. "Hardworking. Quiet. She's had a difficult life."
Liam leaned forward. "Difficult how?"
Mr. Alexander's eyes grew distant. "Imani... isn't kind to her. She never has been."
"Why?"
"I don't know." Mr. Alexander set down his cup. "I've asked. Imani won't say. She just says Zara is 'difficult.' But I've never seen it. Zara has always been obedient. Polite. Eager to please."
Liam's jaw tightened. "Then why does Imani hate her?"
The word hung in the air.
Hate.
Mr. Alexander didn't deny it.
"I've wondered that for twenty years," he said quietly.
Before Liam could respond, footsteps echoed in the hallway.
Amara swept into the room in a cloud of perfume and silk.
"Sorry I'm late," she said, kissing her father's cheek. Then she turned to Liam. "Ready to talk flowers?"
Liam nodded. "Ready."
But as Amara launched into a detailed discussion about peonies versus roses, Liam's mind was elsewhere.
Twenty years.
Why had Imani hated Zara for twenty years?
And why did Mr. Alexander look so sad whenever he talked about her?
---
Staff Quarters – Zara's Room – 11:00 PM
Zara lay on her mattress, staring at the ceiling.
She replayed the conversation in the alley over and over.
"Zara. That's a beautiful name."
No one had ever said that to her.
No one had ever looked at her like that.
Stop it, she told herself. He's Amara's fiancé. He's not for you.
But her heart wouldn't listen.
She touched her chest, feeling her heartbeat.
Fast. Too fast.
She closed her eyes.
And for the first time in years, she dreamed of something other than pain.
She dreamed of dark eyes and a gentle voice.
She dreamed of a man who looked at her like she mattered.
She dreamed of Liam.
And when she woke up, she cried.
Because dreams were all she would ever have.