Take This Withered Love

On the first day Sabrina moved in, she began directing the maids to rearrange the living room.

"This couch feels too dark," she said lightly, brushing her slender fingers over the leather before turning to Lucas with a soft smile. "Lucas, why don't we switch to something in cream?"

Lucas didn't even blink. He simply turned to the housekeeper, Martha Yates, and said, "Do as she suggests."

Elena stood at the bend of the staircase and watched as the workers carried out the couch she'd so carefully chosen just six months ago.

Benjamin and Charlotte trailed behind Sabrina like shadows, excitedly pointing at everything. "Ms. Miller, this throw pillow should go too. Mom picked it out. It's so ugly!"

Sabrina gently ruffled their hair. "Alright. We'll replace it."

Elena's hands clenched briefly before relaxing again.

She'd made those pillowcases herself while she was pregnant, stitching them by hand and filling them with hypoallergenic stuffing because the children's skin was so sensitive when they were little.

Now, they were tossed into the trash without a second thought.

Over the next few days, the house grew more and more unfamiliar.

At the dining table, Sabrina sat in the seat that had once been Elena's, gently placing food on the children's plates.

Lucas would occasionally pour her a cup of coffee himself, his long fingers sliding it toward her and his eyes holding a softness Elena had never seen directed at her.

At night, the lights in the living room would dim, and the four of them would squeeze together on the couch to watch movies. Charlotte curled up in Sabrina's arms while Benjamin leaned against Lucas' shoulder, their laughter echoing throughout the house.

When Elena passed by, they didn't even look up. It was as though she didn't exist.

What was even more absurd was that Lucas, Benjamin, and Charlotte had once been meticulous to a fault when it came to their quality of life.

And now?

Elena watched Sabrina toss Lucas' Patek Philippe, worth tens of millions of dollars, face down onto the coffee table, and he would pick it up indulgently.

She watched the children head to school in uniforms Sabrina had thrown straight into the washing machine, the collars still stained with sauce.

She watched Sabrina serve takeout on plates and claim she'd made it herself, and no one called her out.

More than that, they practically worshipped her.

"Sabrina, don't touch that," Lucas said, stopping her when she reached for the coffee pot. His fingers closed gently around her wrist. "Your hands are meant for the piano."

"Ms. Miller, I'll carry your bag for you," Benjamin offered eagerly, taking her limited-edition handbag with a smile Elena had never seen him direct at her.

"Ms. Miller, all you need to do is rest," Martha said respectfully, presenting a pair of handmade slippers from Ilyria. "We'll take care of everything else."

It was ironic.

Elena had worked like a nanny in that house for six years, and no one had noticed. On the other hand, Sabrina had barely settled in, and she was treated like royalty.

The household staff whispered about it among themselves.

"Mr. Fischer is so nice to Ms. Miller. He's never treated Mrs. Fischer like this."

"Even the kids are glued to her. This house is going to have a new lady before long."

Elena was beyond caring. Without a word or a single question, she quietly sorted through her belongings.

That afternoon, her phone vibrated nonstop.

"Mrs. Fischer! Mr. Benjamin and Ms. Charlotte had an allergic reaction at school. They were taken to the hospital in an ambulance!"

By the time Elena arrived at the hospital, both children had already been rushed into the emergency room.

Lucas stood in the corridor. His suit jacket was draped over his arm, his tie was loose, and anger simmered beneath his expression.

"Elena Jennings." His voice was low and laced with suppressed fury. "What exactly were you thinking?"

She froze. "What are you talking about?"

"They're allergic to mango. Don't you know that?"

He stepped closer, his imposing height casting a shadow over her. "Why did you let them drink mango juice?"

She met his eyes steadily. "It wasn't me! I'd never bring mango into the house."

Ever since the first time the children were hospitalized after eating mango, Elena had been painfully careful.

She constantly reminded everyone of their allergy. She even checked the school cafeteria menu herself. She would never have made that mistake.

Lucas gave a cold laugh. "Who else would've done it if not you? The maid? Or did the children decide to poison themselves?"

She opened her mouth to respond, but the door swung open, and a nurse stepped out. "They're awake."

In the ward, Benjamin and Charlotte lay on the hospital beds, their faces pale. When they saw Elena and Lucas enter, their eyes flickered.

"What happened?" Lucas asked, his voice low.

The children exchanged a look and pointed at Elena at the same time.

"It was Mom! There was mango in the dessert she bought."

Elena stiffened as she looked at them in disbelief. "What did you just say?"