"The Clumsy Maid Took a Blow Meant for a Mafia Queen, and What Her Son Did Next Terrified Everyone

Moving from the staff wing to the second floor of the Rossi estate felt like stepping into an entirely different world.

My new room was three times the size of my old apartment in Albany. It featured tall French doors that opened onto a private stone balcony overlooking the rose garden, a king-sized bed wrapped in ivory silk sheets, and an adjoining bathroom with a clawfoot soaking tub.

When I brought my small leather duffel bag into the room, two junior housekeepers were already standing by the wardrobe. They immediately bowed their heads when I walked in—a gesture that made my face burn with intense embarrassment.

"Good morning, Miss Gallagher," one of them said nervously. "Mr. Rossi requested that we assist you with unpacking."

"Oh, please don't call me Miss Gallagher," I squeaked, holding my duffel bag tightly against my stomach. "And... and I can unpack myself. I'm used to doing it."

The maids looked at each other, looking visibly relieved, but still hesitant. "Mr. Rossi said your comfort is our primary priority now, ma'am. If you need anything at all, please press the service button by the nightstand."

After they left, I sat on the edge of the plush bed, looking at my reflection in the full-length gilded mirror across the room. The dark purple bruise on my face was fading into a deep yellow and green, but the swelling had gone down significantly thanks to Dr. Vance's ointment.

Yet, looking at myself in that opulent room felt entirely surreal. I was a heavy, awkward girl in a faded hoodie sitting in a room meant for aristocracy.

"Skylar?"

A soft voice called out from the open doorway.

Carmela stood there, dressed in a beautiful lavender wool sweater and grey trousers. She held a silver tray with two china teacups and a plate of fresh butter scones.

"Mrs. Rossi!" I rushed over to take the heavy tray from her hands. "You shouldn't be carrying that! I'm supposed to be looking after you!"

"Nonsense," Carmela smiled warmly, walking into the room and taking a seat in one of the velvet armchairs by the balcony doors. "A hostess always welcomes her guest properly."

I set the tray on the marble coffee table and sat across from her.

Carmela looked at my face, her smile softening into a look of deep, maternal sorrow. She reached out and took both of my hands in hers. "How is the pain today, my dear?"

"Much better, Mrs. Rossi," I answered truthfully. "Mr. Rossi’s doctor gave me some wonderful cream."

"Dominic cares very much," Carmela said softly, pouring tea into both cups. "He doesn't show it the way other men do. His father was a hard man, Skylar. He taught Dominic that showing emotion was a weakness that enemies could exploit. But since his father passed... Dominic has carried the weight of this entire empire on his shoulders alone."

She handed me a teacup, her brown eyes twinkling with a strange, knowing light.

"Yesterday," Carmela continued, "for the first time in ten years, I saw my son look at a woman with absolute protectiveness. Not out of duty. Not out of political convenience like that dreadful Moretti girl. But out of genuine reverence."

I almost choked on my tea. "Mrs. Rossi, he was just being honorable. I'm an employee—"

"You saved my life, Skylar," Carmela interrupted gently, squeezing my hand. "And more importantly, you restored my dignity. Do you know what Bianca called me when we were alone in the conservatory?"

I shook my head slowly.

"She called me a 'useless old ghost,'" Carmela whispered, a faint tear slipping down her wrinkled cheek. "She said once she had Dominic's ring on her finger, she would have me put away in a private home in northern Canada where no one could see my decline. She said Dominic would be too busy with the business to ever visit me."

My blood ran cold. "That terrible woman..."

"I panicked," Carmela admitted softly. "I threw my wine at her because I was terrified. And when she raised her hand to strike me... I believed her. I thought my life was over. And then you appeared."

Carmela leaned forward, her voice dropping into an urgent whisper. "You are not just an employee here anymore, Skylar. You are part of this home now. And Dominic knows it, even if his pride hasn't let him say it out loud yet."