The Housekeeper's Deception

I'd sent my secretary to find the last limited-edition "Starlight Princess" doll in the country for my daughter's birthday. It was the only thing she'd asked for.

But that night, I saw a photo of my housekeeper's son holding the exact same doll. When I video-called home, my daughter's teacher snatched the phone, accused her of being a thief, and hung up on me.

When I rushed to the school, I found the teacher shoving my daughter, calling her a low-class brat. My housekeeper, Evalena, showed up wearing my Chanel jacket, claiming she was the mistress of the house and I was a fired nanny.

Then my own husband, Austyn, arrived and sided with them. He publicly comforted Evalena's son, who called him "Daddy," while treating me like a delusional former employee.

In front of everyone, they painted me as a poor, jealous mistress trying to ruin their perfect family. I finally understood this wasn't just a simple affair; it was a long-planned coup to steal my entire life.

When my husband threatened me with divorce, smugly believing he was entitled to half of my family's fortune, I walked out, got into my car, and made a single phone call.

"It's Kimberly Miller," I told the head of my family's board. "Suspend all of Austyn Hester's corporate accounts. Effective immediately."

Chapter 1

I was supposed to be in Zurich closing a seven-figure deal, but all I could think about was my daughter, Lily. Her fifth birthday was tomorrow, and for the first time, I wouldn't be there. The guilt was a heavy weight in my hotel suite.

To make up for it, I had my secretary, Sarah, track down the last limited edition "Starlight Princess" doll in the country. It was the only thing Lily had asked for. "Make sure it's gift-wrapped perfectly, Sarah. And a big pink bow. It has to be there first thing in the morning."

Later that night, unable to sleep, I scrolled through my social media feed. A post from our live-in housekeeper, Evalena Dotson, made me stop. It was a picture of her son, Jaylin, holding a "Starlight Princess" doll. It looked identical to the one I' d just bought for Lily. A cold feeling started in my stomach. Evalena never spent that kind of money.

I immediately placed a video call to the house. I needed to see Lily, to make sure her doll had arrived.

Lily' s small face appeared on the screen, her eyes red and puffy. She was hiding in her playroom, whispering. "Mommy?" Her voice trembled.

"Hi, sweetie. Did you get my present?"

She hesitated, looking over her shoulder. "I... I did, Mommy. But..."

Suddenly, a harsh voice cut through the call. "Lily Hester, what did I tell you about stealing? That doll belongs to Jaylin! You give it back right now!" It was her kindergarten teacher, Ms. Albright. The screen shook as if the phone was snatched away. "Who is this? Don't call this number again!" The call ended abruptly.

I tried calling back, but the line was busy. I tried the school's main line. No answer. I opened the parent group chat to ask what was happening, only to find a notification: "You have been removed from the group." My blood ran cold.

I called Sarah. "Cancel the rest of my trip. Book me the first flight home. Now."

Eighteen hours later, I didn't go home. I went straight to Lily's kindergarten. I slipped in through a side entrance, my heart pounding in my chest. I followed the sound of Ms. Albright's shrill voice to an empty classroom. Through the window in the door, I saw it.

My daughter was backed into a corner, and Ms. Albright was standing over her, her face twisted with rage. "You little liar! A low-class brat like you doesn' t deserve nice things. You should be grateful Mrs. Gould even lets you play with her son!"

Then, she shoved Lily, hard. Lily stumbled and fell to the floor.

A blind, hot rage washed over me. I slammed the door open, the wood cracking against the wall. I didn't say a word. I crossed the room in three strides and shoved Ms. Albright away from my daughter. She staggered back, her eyes wide with shock.

"Who do you think you are?" she shrieked, clutching her arm. "Security! Get this crazy woman out of here! This is our housekeeper, Evalena's replacement. She's trespassing!"

Lily scrambled up from the floor, tears streaming down her face, and ran to me, burying her face in my legs. "Mommy! Mommy, you're back!"

I wrapped my arms around her, holding her tight. I looked at Ms. Albright, my voice low and dangerous. "I am not the housekeeper."

Ms. Albright laughed, a sharp, ugly sound. "Oh, please. I know who you are. Evalena-Mrs. Gould-told me all about you. A desperate woman trying to climb the social ladder. She fired you this morning for stealing."

"Call the police," I said, my voice shaking with fury. "Call them right now."

She snatched the phone off her desk but didn't dial. "I don't need to. The school's owner, Mr. Hester, is a very good friend of Mrs. Gould's husband. You'll be lucky if we don't press charges."

"Mrs. Gould already told me," she continued, her voice dripping with scorn, "that you were let go. You have no business being here. Now get out before I have you physically removed."

I held my daughter closer. "You're going to regret this. Every word. Every action."

The teacher sneered. "Is that a threat? From a fired nanny? Don't make me laugh. In fact, I'll call Mrs. Gould right now. She'll confirm who the real mistress of the house is." She tapped her phone screen with a triumphant look.

A moment later, the door swung open again. It was Evalena, my housekeeper. And she stared at me, a slow, malicious smile spreading across her face. "Yes, Ms. Albright? You called? Oh, and look who it is. I thought I told you that you were fired."