Chapter 3 - THE DEBT THAT DISAPPEARED
Caprice woke at six in the morning.
For several seconds, she didn't know where she was.
Then she remembered.
The fireplace.
The leather sofa.
Diamond.
Her eyes widened.
She jumped up.
"I fell asleep."
Diamond was already at his desk.
He looked exhausted.
But strangely calm.
"I'm sorry."
Caprice grabbed her cleaning supplies.
"I'll make up the hour."
"You don't need to."
"I have a diner shift."
"I called them."
She froze.
"What?"
"You resigned."
Her face went pale.
"You had no right."
Diamond remained calm.
"You need sleep."
"I need money."
"Your mother is paid."
Silence.
"What?"
Diamond placed an envelope on the desk.
Caprice approached slowly.
Inside were receipts.
Paid.
Every medical bill.
The care facility.
Five years in advance.
Her hands began shaking.
"Why?"
Diamond looked away.
"Because your exhaustion annoys me."
She stared at him.
"You paid my mother's care because I'm annoying?"
"Yes."
"You are insane."
"I've been told."
Tears filled her eyes.
She tried to stop them.
Diamond turned toward the window.
He didn't know how to comfort someone.
He knew how to threaten people.
How to negotiate.
How to destroy enemies.
But tears?
He was helpless.
"Shift starts at eight," he said.
Caprice wiped her face.
"You're horrible."
"I know."
She almost smiled.
That was the first time Diamond saw her smile.
And it affected him more than it should have.
From that day forward, Caprice worked directly in the east wing.
She slept more.
She ate regularly.
Color returned to her face.
And Diamond became accustomed to her presence.
Coffee arrived before he asked.
His meals were healthier.
His medical schedule was organized.
She even began correcting his doctors.
"You forgot your afternoon medication."
"I didn't."
"You did."
"I didn't."
She pointed at the bottle.
Diamond stared.
Then sighed.
"You're becoming unbearable."
"So are you."
He almost smiled again.
Almost.
But not everyone welcomed Caprice.
Levi watched her carefully.
One afternoon, he cornered her in the kitchen.
"Dom doesn't do charity."
Caprice continued preparing lunch.
"He doesn't."
"He paid your debts."
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Ask him."
"I did."
"And?"
"He told me to mind my business."
Caprice looked at him.
"Then maybe you should."
Levi's expression hardened.
"You think you're safe because he likes you?"
"I don't think I'm safe."
"You're a stray."
Caprice put down the knife.
"I've been a liability to everyone I've ever met."
She stepped closer.
"Take a number."
Levi stared.
For the first time, he realized something.
Caprice wasn't fragile.
She was simply tired.
There was a difference.
The real turning point came during a snowstorm.
Diamond's wheelchair tipped.
He hit the floor.
Pain ripped through his body.
He shouted.
"Don't touch me!"
Caprice ran in.
She ignored him.
Dropped beside him.
"Look at me."
"Get away!"
"Diamond."
He froze.
She had never used his first name.
"Look at me."
His breathing was wild.
"It's burning."
"I know."
"It's tearing me apart."
Caprice placed both hands against his chest.
"Feel my hands."
He stared at her.
"Count my breathing."
Slowly, she inhaled.
He followed.
Again.
Again.
The pain didn't disappear.
But the panic did.
Eventually, Diamond lay exhausted on the carpet.
Caprice remained beside him.
He looked at her.
"Why didn't you call the medic?"
"Because he knocks you out."
She paused.
"And you hate losing control more than you hate pain."
Diamond stared at her.
Then slowly lifted his hand.
He brushed a strand of hair from her face.
"You are going to be the death of me."
Caprice gave him the faintest smile.
"We all die."
She looked into his eyes.
"Some of us just do it faster than others."
Neither of them knew it yet.
But something had changed.
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The king had stopped seeing his maid as an employee.
And the maid had stopped seeing him as a monster.
