Meanwhile, Laura sat cross-legged on her bed, her phone pressed to her ear as she spoke in hushed but firm tones.
"I will keep to the codes and instructions of the family. Just make sure none of you are noticed. Work, speak, and live in the shadows, but let your hearts carry light and love," she said calmly.
"Yes ma’am," the male voice on the other end responded respectfully. "I’ll pass your message to the rest."
As the call ended, Laura held her phone in her lap and took a deep breath.
"It’s time to act. To be vigilant. The light within me must guide me now... even more than my voice," she whispered.
She stood up and walked to her wardrobe, pulling out a large, aged journal. As she opened it, the pages revealed photographs—each page held faces, carefully glued in place, each one significant.
She flipped through the pages slowly, her fingers lingering until she reached the picture of a woman. Her eyes lingered on it.
"Your file is now officially opened," she said to the photo. "You’re the next I must act upon. I won’t stop until I do what is right... for you, and for the light in me."
noveldrama With that, she snapped a picture of the photo using her phone, her expression resolute.
***
Maria lay on her back on the bed, her thoughts swirling like a peaceful storm. Her mind played back every moment from earlier that day with James—the kisses, the way he held her, how his breath felt against her skin.
The warmth lingered.
"That had to come from heaven... just to take all my pain away," she whispered to herself, smiling softly.
Her heart raced at the memory, and a wave of joy washed over her. It was a feeling she wanted to last forever.
But just as she was lost in her thoughts, a knock jolted her out of her bubble.
She sat up quickly, slightly alarmed. It was late, and she wasn’t expecting anyone.
"Come in," she called out.
The door opened, revealing one of the housemaids. The maid looked nervous, fidgeting as she stepped into the room.
Maria raised an eyebrow. "What’s going on? Why do you look like that?"
The maid cleared her throat. "I was told to inform you... you need to come downstairs immediately. There’s... some kind of trouble. Everyone’s been summoned to the main living room."
Maria’s face fell...