As the sole individual who stands out in her small town, Thea faces the challenge of fitting in and gaining acceptance within society. Born to a black man whom she has never had the opportunity to meet, she is acutely aware of her differences from h...
I woke up to the soft morning light filtering through the heavy curtains, feeling strangely at peace. The events of the previous day-my wedding, the journey to this grand mansion-felt like a dream, distant and almost surreal. As I blinked the sleep from my eyes, I noticed how warm and comfortable I was, wrapped in the luxurious sheets of the enormous bed.
There was a gentle knock at the door, and before I could respond, it creaked open to reveal a woman I hadn't met before. She was older, with deep brown skin and kind eyes that crinkled at the corners as she smiled at me. She was dressed simply, in the attire of a housekeeper, and she moved with a quiet grace.
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"Good morning, Mrs. Banks," she said softly, her voice calm and steady. "I'm Miriam. I've been with the family for many years, and I'll be looking after you."
Mrs. Banks. The title sounded foreign to me, and I felt a small flutter of nerves at the reminder of my new life. But Miriam's presence was comforting, and I found myself relaxing a bit as she approached.
"I've drawn a bath for you," she continued, her eyes warm and reassuring. "It's all ready, whenever you are."
"Thank you, Miriam," I replied, my voice still a little groggy from sleep. I pushed the covers aside and swung my legs over the edge of the bed, feeling the cool floor beneath my feet. Miriam offered me a hand, and I accepted, letting her guide me toward the adjoining bathroom.
The bath was indeed ready, the water steaming gently and scented with lavender. The marble tub was larger than any I had ever seen, and the room itself was as opulent as the rest of the mansion, with polished fixtures and elegant details.
Miriam helped me undress, her movements practiced and efficient, yet gentle. There was something motherly about the way she cared for me, a kindness that made me feel safe in this strange, new environment.
As I settled into the warm water, a sigh of contentment escaped my lips. The tension from the past few days began to melt away, and for the first time in a long while, I felt like I could truly relax.
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Miriam stayed close, tending to me with a quiet efficiency that spoke of years of experience. She washed my hair with careful precision, her hands gentle as she worked the lather through my curls. It was such a simple act, but the care she took made it feel like a luxury.
