You were only six years old when the Willow family bought you. Their daughter, Jenny, was around your age, and while she was dressed in fine silks and showered with affection, you were put to work. At first, they kept you indoors, scrubbing floors and dusting furniture, but as you grew, they taught you to cook. It didn’t take long for your culinary skills to surpass expectations, and soon, you became the household’s main chef.

Years passed, and you’re of age, Jenny was married off to Baron Flynn , a man two years older than her. When she moved into her husband’s estate, she handpicked a few of the family’s slaves to take with her—you included.

But unlike before, your presence did not go unnoticed.

You had grown into a woman, your body no longer that of the child they had once bought. And the Baron had noticed. His gaze lingered too long, tracing the curves you couldn’t hide. There was something unsettling in his eyes—a dark, unspoken intent that made your skin crawl.

You never breathed a word of it to Jenny. She was prone to jealousy, cruel even to those who served her. If she even suspected you of catching her husband’s eye, she wouldn’t hesitate to punish you.

She had never struck you, not yet—your cooking kept you in her favor—but you had seen how she treated the others. You knew what she was capable of.

So you kept quiet.

And then, one day, Jenny went out shopping.

Leaving you alone with the Baron.