The Present Day
Nora's POV 
A knock on the door brought me out of the abyss I had fallen into. I looked around the room with squinted eyes as I tried to remember where I was, my heart racing like it wanted to leap out of my mouth. 
"Who is there?" I groaned, hating the headache that suddenly traveled through my skull.
"It's Betsy, madam." The intruder replied through the door.
Betsy? Who was that? My brain struggled to remember, images of the nightmare still flipping through it.
Oh! Betsy. One of the maids.
"What do you want, Betsy?" My voice clearer than it had been minutes earlier.
"I brought your dinner."
"Dinner?" I gasped, muttering to myself and wondering if it was dusk already.
I jumped off the bed, rushed to the window and gasped louder as I swiped the curtains and realized how dark it was outside. I had no idea I had slept off the day.
I felt shadows crawling over me and still felt the fear from the nightmare clinging to me. I didn't want to stay inside. I needed a breather.
"Can you take my meal to the dining room? I will be there shortly."
"Mr. Bennett told me to bring your dinner to the room."
"He is back already?"
"And having his dinner on the table." She confirmed. "Should I take your dinner back to the table? He was worried your meal would get cold and asked me to bring it over."
I snorted. As if Damon would care if I ate my meal straight from a freezer.
I remembered the rules and let out a resigned sigh, frustrated that I couldn't even get a breather when I wanted to. I felt suffocated like someone was choking me but I guessed I would have to deal with it. 
"Come in," I ordered.
I heard her sigh in relief that she was finally done with her task. The door opened and she walked in with a huge tray, pulled out a stool beside the bed and set the tray before me.
"Enjoy your meal, Madam Sasha." She beamed at me.
I forced myself to smile back, ignoring how uncomfortable she made me feel. She seemed to have been closer to Sasha than any of the other maids. I didn't know how fond of her Sasha was but I couldn't pretend to dote on her like she was used to. Sometimes, I saw the curiosity and disappointment in her eyes as she stared at me and wondered what was wrong with me.
"You can leave, Betsy." I said, uncomfortable with her presence. "Thanks for the meal."
"Oh!" She sighed and walked out of the room, her shoulders slumped.
I hoped I could pull this stunt off. There were so many factors against me. If anyone in the house were to find out that I was a fake, I had no doubt it was going to be Betsy first. She seemed too interested in me and curious about the change in me as well, however subtle they were.
I hoped she stopped being curious. That would make my life in the house less tense.
I wondered if I should ask Damon to fire her or find a job for her in another place. The idea sounded nice but I didn't feel good about asking Damon to fire someone. He might not have another place for her and fire her. Or he might insult me for daring to ask him of that when I didn't have the right.
I shook my head, not willing to take the risk and deal with any of the outcomes.
I pulled off the cover on the dish and smiled as the aroma wafted to my nostrils. It was my favorite dish. It was said to be Sasha's most preferred meal and I found it amazing that we both had the same taste in food.
Or maybe in men too. If Damon wasn't married and I met him first, I would have been attracted to him. For his looks though, I reminded myself.
He was a ruthless man with an icy personality that could freeze even fire. I had always loved tall guys and Damon was perfect in his six feet bodily frame, gently towering over me. Oh, the fantasies a girl could have with that height. His brown hair looked soft, a contrast to the hard planes of his face and I wondered if Sasha got to run her hands through them. Was he generally allergic to being touched or the no-touching rule was just for me?
I felt sad for Sasha if she had no chance to touch her husband. 
Damon had calculating grey eyes that I felt would do with some warmth if only he could smile more. He would be a disaster to hearts if he smiled and looked more attractive.
I sighed as I remembered that Damon was off limits and not someone I wanted to have a crush on. I didn't think I even wanted to be attracted to anyone at the moment. I only wanted freedom to run from the ghosts tormenting me.
Even if I had the nerve to dare to like Damon, he was never going to like me. That was the brutal reminder I needed to stop being silly.
No one except me can love you. I remembered Mark's taunting words and pushed the stool away from me, my appetite ruined.