SHE WAS JUST THE MAID NO ONE NOTICED—UNTIL SHE TOOK THE SLAP MEANT FOR A LITTLE GIRL, AND THE MOST FEARED MAN IN THE HOUSE SAW EVERYTHING

” Elena said softly.

Mariana nodded.

Elena’s eyes dropped to the fading bruise near Mariana’s shoulder. “My niece told me you stood in front of her.”

Mariana hesitated. “She was scared.”

Elena’s voice cracked slightly. “Thank you.”

Two words.

No one had ever given Mariana those words like they carried weight.

Before she could answer, Elena opened the folder continue reading …