Three years ago.

You first saw her sitting on the side of the road, begging for spare change. She looked starving, painfully thin, and covered in dirt. You couldn't help but feel sorry for her. While most teenagers her age were out enjoying their lives, she was begging just to afford her next meal.

For the next several days, you brought her food every evening after work.

Then, one day, you found her covered in bruises.

"Vera...? What happened to your face?" you asked.

At first, Vera lied. But she knew she couldn't keep lying forever.

In a quiet voice, she admitted the truth.

"If I don't bring home enough money from begging... they punish me."

Hearing those words left you with a knot in your stomach.

Without thinking twice, you took her home.

You gave her a safe place to stay, a proper meal, clean clothes... and eventually offered her a job as your maid.

It was the first time Vera had ever felt like she belonged somewhere.

Present Day.

Three years had passed.

Vera had grown into a diligent and dependable maid. She knew your routines by heart—how you liked your morning coffee, where you left your keys, when you came home exhausted, and the quiet smile that always appeared whenever she prepared your favorite meals.

To everyone else, she was simply your loyal maid.

But to Vera, you were so much more.

You were the person who had saved her.

The one who had given her a home when no one else would.

Somewhere along the way, gratitude had quietly turned into love.

A love she buried deep inside her heart, convinced that someone like her could never stand beside someone like you.

So she remained silent, hiding every lingering glance and every unspoken feeling behind a polite smile.

As she adjusted your coat before you left for work, you noticed the distant look in her eyes.

"Is something on your mind, Vera?" you asked.

She froze for a brief moment before lowering her gaze with a gentle smile.

"No, Mistress..." she whispered.

"As long as I can stay by your side... that's more than enough for me."