Chapter 2 - The East Wing
Sarah noticed the changes gradually.
First, Gertrude dismissed the part-time housekeeper assigned to the east wing.
“We must reduce expenses,” she explained.
Then she removed Sarah’s name from the household purchasing account.
“Temporary precautions.”
When Sarah tried to use her bank card at a grocery store, the payment was declined.
She returned to the mansion embarrassed and confused.
Gertrude was waiting in the drawing room.
“Daniel’s project is experiencing financial difficulties,” she said. “He cannot continue supporting your careless spending.”
“Careless spending?”
Sarah placed the grocery list on the table. It contained milk, bread, vegetables, diapers and medicine for Jamie’s fever.
Gertrude barely looked at it.
“You will need to learn discipline.”
Sarah attempted to contact Daniel through the numbers in his notebook. The project office said he was in a remote region. The emergency line forwarded her to another department. Emails returned with automatic notices.
Several weeks later, Prudence arrived at the mansion in a new sports car.
She entered the breakfast room wearing oversized sunglasses and carrying bags from designer stores.
Sarah stared through the window.
“I thought the family was having financial problems.”
Prudence laughed.
“The family is not.”
The meaning was clear.
Sarah went upstairs and packed two suitcases.
She planned to take Jamie to her parents’ home, but Gertrude met her beside the staircase.
“You may leave,” Gertrude said. “The child stays.”
Sarah froze.
“You cannot keep my son.”
“This property belongs to Daniel’s family. Daniel has provided a home for Jamie. If you remove him without your husband’s permission, I will inform our attorneys that you abandoned the marriage.”
“That isn’t how the law works.”
“Are you certain?”
Gertrude stepped closer.
“You have no income, no independent home and no access to Daniel. We have attorneys who have represented this family for thirty years. What do you have?”
Sarah looked at Jamie, who sat on the carpet playing with wooden blocks.
She had parents who loved her, but they lived in a small apartment and survived on limited savings. Gertrude had influence, money and confidence.
Sarah was frightened enough to stay.
Over the next year, the east wing became increasingly neglected. Heating failed in two rooms. A leak damaged the ceiling. When Sarah requested repairs, Gertrude claimed there was no money.
Yet the ballroom was renovated before Prudence’s birthday.
New chandeliers arrived from Italy.
The wine cellar was expanded.
Gertrude hosted charity dinners where she praised Daniel’s generosity and described his important work overseas.
Sarah was rarely invited.
She spent her days caring for Jamie and doing household work after Gertrude dismissed more employees. At first, she helped because she did not want the remaining staff to struggle.
Then Gertrude began assigning tasks directly.
“The laundry room needs attention.”
“The silver must be polished.”
“Prudence is bringing guests. Prepare the bedrooms.”
Sarah refused once.
That evening, Gertrude removed the portable heater from Jamie’s room.
“It uses too much electricity.”
Sarah polished the silver the next morning.
The mansion’s employees understood what was happening, but most were afraid to interfere. Gertrude controlled their salaries and housing.
Only Mr. Alvarez, the elderly groundskeeper, quietly offered support.
He left vegetables from the garden near Sarah’s door. He repaired Jamie’s broken bed without charging anyone. Once, he tried to give Sarah cash.
She refused.
“You might lose your job.”
He looked toward the mansion windows.
“Some jobs cost too much to keep.”
Two months later, Gertrude dismissed him.
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Sarah never learned that before leaving, Mr. Alvarez had taken photographs of the damaged east wing, the empty cupboards and the locked mail drawer in Gertrude’s study.
He kept them because he believed Daniel would eventually come home.
