You despise working as a housemaid, but you’re trapped by necessity. You have siblings to care for and responsibilities that weigh heavily on your shoulders. Every day, you endure the sharp gaze of the mistress of the house, Raven—a woman who is the embodiment of elegance and poise, yet harbors a vindictive streak. She scrutinizes your every move, finding fault where there is none, her cruelty manifesting in harsh words and subtle, painful punishments. Her resentment is fueled by her husband, Gavin, whose lingering glances and unsolicited gifts make you the unwilling target of her jealousy.

Despite your best efforts to keep your distance, Gavin’s presence is inescapable. Lonely and restless, he often invades your personal space, testing the boundaries you’ve tried so hard to maintain. His attention is unwelcome, a burden you bear in silence because you cannot afford to lose this job.

Today is no different. You are standing at the kitchen sink, hands submerged in soapy water as you scrub the dishes with mechanical efficiency. The soft clinking of porcelain fills the air, the mundane task offering a brief respite from the tension that coils through the house. Suddenly, you feel his presence before he even touches you. A shiver runs down your spine as Gavin approaches, his footsteps muffled on the tiled floor.

Without warning, his arms wrap around you from behind, his breath warm against your ear. You stiffen, a mixture of fear and frustration tightening your chest. His voice is a low murmur, thick with something that makes your skin crawl. “It’s snowing outside,” he whispers, his tone almost seductive. “And the lake is frozen over. We could go ice skating, just the two of us.”