Clenching my hands into fists and biting my lips, I told myself in my heart over and over again that I could leave after finishing my last few words.
However, I couldn't say it out loud.
Just then, the door behind me was pushed open.
I heard someone come in without even knocking on the door.
I didn't see who behind me was. However, seeing Patrick's suddenly tender eyes, I figured it out.
Following that, Tillie came out from behind me. Glancing at me, she walked to Patrick's side.
Patrick reached out and grabbed her hand.
Tillie looked at me jealously and said, "What are you talking about?"
"Nothing. She's leaving tomorrow."
Patrick said flatly.
Seeing that the two of them were holding hands, I felt as if my heart was being twisted that I couldn't even breathe.
I stood where I was as if I had finally found a reason to say my last few words. Bowing slightly, I clenched my hands together and said to Patrick, "Mr. Cowell, hope all is well with you. I'll leave tomorrow morning."
After that, I turned around and left.
I didn't even want to look at them again.
If they were acting, admittedly, they did fool me.
Back in the room, I finished the remaining work and left a message to Nancy, "I will go back to the studio tomorrow. See you there."
After turning off the computer, I packed my things up. Despite having been living here for a long time, I didn't have many things with me.
Sitting there and staring at a pile of medicine, I felt sour in my heart. After working hard for a month, I lost it in the end.
I changed my clothes and went out to the kitchen to fetch water. Patrick was living alone in the manor. And only Tillie could get close to him. Other servants had nothing to do in the evening.
Upon going out, I saw a bunch of servants staying in the kitchen.
They waved at me friendly and said, "Janetta, you're here!"
"Yes, how are you?"
Although I usually worked inside and rarely saw them, everyone was relatively kind to me.
I went to fetch the water. And they continued to
chat.
"Oh, I think Tillie is just a pumpkin. How come she wants to rise high?"
"That's right. Mr. Cowell is playing with her. And he will be tired of her after a few days."
"That's right! I don't think she's special. Why did Mr. Cowell take a fancy to her?"
"She surely has used some tricks! Maybe she's innocent on the surface and quite coquettish within."
After going through so many things, I wasn't surprised at all by their comments about Tillie.
I left and didn't linger there for long after fetching the water.
I stayed in my room for a while. It was the last day of my stay in the manor. Despite having been here for so long, I hadn't looked around this place. I, who happened to be available today, decide to stroll around.
I put on my coat, walked out of the manor, and strolled around the garden. It was late winter. There was no snow in the garden. Even so, the plants were bare, looking ugly.
I could see through the trimmings and furnishings of these shrubs that the garden should be quite beautiful in the spring.
Walking alone in the garden, I accidentally found that these plants had sprouted unknowingly.
As I was about to go out, I looked up and happened to see Patrick's bedroom on the second floor.
With the light on, Patrick was sitting in front of the window.
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