CHAPTER 1: THE COST OF KINDNESS
Victoria’s voice cut through the marble lobby like glass.
Elena froze, still kneeling beside the elderly woman struggling to breathe.
“I—I think she’s having trouble—” Elena began.
“I don’t care what you think,” Victoria snapped, her designer heels clicking sharply as she approached. “You’re a housekeeper. Not a doctor. Not a guest. And certainly not someone who gets to make a scene in my hotel.”
The words stung—but Elena didn’t move.
The older woman—Beatrice—gripped her hand weakly.
“Please…” Beatrice whispered, barely able to catch her breath.
Elena leaned closer. “It’s okay. I’ve got you. Just breathe slowly.”
Victoria’s face twisted with irritation.
“This is unacceptable,” she said, turning to the manager who had just rushed over. “Fire her. Immediately. I won’t have staff harassing guests.”
The manager hesitated. “Ms. Victoria, she was just trying to—”
“I said fire her.”
The lobby fell silent.
Elena slowly stood, her uniform slightly wrinkled, her hands still shaking.
“I was just trying to help,” she said quietly.
Victoria didn’t even look at her.
“You’re done here.”
Security approached.
But as Elena stepped back, she looked at Beatrice one last time.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “They’ll help you now.”
Beatrice’s eyes followed her as she was escorted away.
And something in that gaze…
May you like
Was not weakness.
It was memory.
