“A decent home, I do not plan on being a maid forever.”

“Very well,” she smiled before turning to climb back into the carriage. “I shall keep in touch.”

**

PRESENT DAY

Juliet was beyond furious —to think that her Aunt had been working hand in hand with a conniving snake such as Lady Hall, infuriated her.

Who did Henrietta Hall think herself to be?! Did she really think she could force or compel Juliet to do her bidding?! Did she think Juliet was going to place the child in her care? It was the most absurd thing Juliet had ever heard! She could never do the bidding of Henrietta! And for whatever reason, she couldn't bring herself to walk away from Ethan —not now, not when Ethan seemed to be the desire of every woman. Juliet loved thinking she had what everybody wanted.

Deciding on her next line of action as the carriage began to slow down, she shoved the curtain aside in time to watch the castle come into view —she would destroy Ethan's marriage and work her way back into his heart. All she had to do was convince Gretchen to leave.

Elaine had been a fool to go to Lady Hall for help and Juliet was determined to prove to Elaine how much of a fool she had been.

The moment Juliet walked in through the front doors, Ethan's lawyer served her the court papers; she was expected in court in five days —Henrietta had been right.

Something in her snapped as she stared at the documents in her hands —something vicious and angry. She was done being people's pawn! She was done being the one to walk away empty handed! She was done losing! From now on, she was doing things on her own terms.

When she was informed of dinner that evening, she hurriedly changed into a red dress with a low cut neckline and short sleeves. Pulling her hair off of her shoulders, she pulled it into a tight bun at the top of her head. Her heart raced as she got ready; reminding her of how little a time she had left. It was all or nothing and she was determined to look gorgeous through it all.

She made her way to the dining room that evening. Jacob was noticeably absent at the entrance and once inside, she easily noticed Gretchen seated by Ethan's right hand side with the child in her lap. Placing herself by Ethan's left hand side, she offered him a flirtatious smile the second he turned to her. In return, a small frown pulled at the edges of his brows and he turned sharply away.

With his reaction adding fuel to her anger, she kept the smile plastered to her face, her eyes following the movements of the maids as they carried platters of food and placed them on the table. She waited until the maids were gone, before turning her attention to her meal.