Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Isabella ran until her lungs burned and her legs ached, her heart pounding like a drum in her chest. The encounter with the stranger who had saved her replayed in her mind, his voice, his touch, the concern in his eyes. She had never felt such a strong mix of fear and gratitude.

She slowed her pace, finally feeling safe enough to take stock of her surroundings. The shop was not far now. She could see the familiar sign of Madame Cherie's dress shop up ahead.

She slipped inside, the bell above the door jingling softly. Madame Cherie looked up from her work, her sharp eyes immediately noticing Isabella's disheveled state.

"Isabella, what happened?" she asked, her voice a mix of concern and curiosity.

But before Isabella could answer her, Marie's sharp voice sliced through the quiet. "Where have you been?"

Isabella's heart sank.

Marie stood with her arms crossed, a fierce frown etched on her face.

"I came back early, and you were not here. You have not done what I asked of you at all. You are supposed to be in the window, with your back to the world, so people might assume that you are me, but you have been…" She threw her hands in the air in frustration. "Well, I do not know where you have been."

"I…I am sorry, Lady Marie," Isabella stammered, but the words caught in her throat as she noticed Marie's eyes narrow, taking in the state of her dress. "I did not mean…"

The fabric was torn and frayed, a visible reminder of the struggle she had endured.

"What happened to you?" Marie stepped closer, inspecting the damage. "And where is the necklace? What on earth have you done?" All the color left Marie's face.

Isabella hesitated, her voice trembling as she explained, "I was attacked. A man tried to steal my bag...and he took the necklace."

Marie's expression shifted from surprise to fury. "Attacked? You expect me to believe that? Look at you! You are a mess! And my grandmother's necklace…gone! Do you know what that is worth? Is that why you concocted this whole story? To steal from me? Your boss? Do you know how foolish that is? Did you truly think that this was a good idea? To leave when you have been told to stay, for this ?"

"I am telling the truth!" Isabella's voice quivered as she felt Marie's anger envelop her like a storm. "I did not go out for any plan. I went to the orphanage…"

"The orphanage," Marie sneered. "Oh, please. I do not believe a word you say. Did you give the children my necklace to sell? Is the orphanage part of this crime?"

Isabella shook her head hard. "No, I really was attacked. I have a witness, too. A man helped me. He chased the attacker away. Otherwise it might have been a lot worse…"

Marie's eyes flashed with skepticism. "A man helped you? And where is this savior of yours now? Conveniently gone, I suppose, just like the necklace."

Tears welled up in Isabella's eyes. "I did not mean for any of this to happen. I was just trying to get here as quickly as I could."

Marie's frustration seemed to bubble over. "You were not even supposed to leave!"

"Please, Lady Marie, you have to believe me. The man who helped me, he was a gentleman. He can confirm what I am telling you. I am sure we can find him if we search…"

Marie crossed her arms tighter, her eyes cold. "It doesn't matter what you say. The necklace is gone, and you're responsible. I trusted you with something valuable, and you failed me."

"Marie, surely there is a way to resolve this," Madame Cherie interjected gently. "Perhaps we can report the theft and hope for the necklace's recovery."

Marie scoffed. "Report it? And what would that accomplish? This was a family heirloom, irreplaceable and priceless. My parents will be furious."

Isabella's tears spilled over, and she wiped them away with trembling hands. "I will do anything to make it right, Lady Marie. I promise."

Marie studied her for a long moment, then sighed dramatically. "You have caused enough trouble for one day. Isabella, you are dismissed."

Isabella's heart plummeted. "Dismissed? But..."

"You heard me. You are no longer employed by my family," Marie said with a finality that brooked no argument.

Isabella felt a sharp pang in her chest at Marie's words. She had always tried to do her best, to be helpful and reliable, but she could never do enough.

Ever.

"I will make it right," she said, her voice breaking. "I shall find a way to replace the necklace. I promise."

Marie turned away, shaking her head as if she could not bear to look at Isabella any longer. "Just get out of my sight. I do not want to see you right now."

Isabella left Madame Cherie's shop, her heart heavy with the weight of Marie's dismissal. As she stepped outside, the carriage was already waiting, the driver holding the door open. She climbed in, her legs shaking. Marie followed, her face a mask of fury.

The carriage ride home was excruciatingly awkward. Isabella sat as far from Marie as possible, staring at her hands in her lap. Marie, however, seemed determined to make her discomfort known.

"You have truly outdone yourself this time, Isabella," Marie began, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "I cannot fathom how you thought it was acceptable to lose a priceless family heirloom."

"I am truly sorry, Lady Marie," Isabella whispered, her voice barely audible over the rattling of the carriage.

"Sorry?" Marie spat. "Do you think ‘sorry' will replace my grandmother's necklace? Everyone will know that you are a thief."

Isabella's eyes filled with tears again, but she forced herself to remain composed. "I will find a way to make it right, my lady. I promise."

Marie scoffed. "And how do you propose to do that? With what money? You are nothing but a maid with no resources."

Isabella bit her lip, fighting back the urge to defend herself. She knew it would do no good. Marie's mind was made up, and no amount of pleading would change it.

The carriage jolted as it hit a bump in the road, and Isabella winced, clutching the edge of the seat. The tension between them was suffocating, and she wished desperately for the ride to be over.

Finally, the carriage arrived at the Montgomery estate. As soon as it stopped, Marie flung open the door and stepped out, not bothering to look back at Isabella.

"You will pack your things and be gone by the end of the day," Marie said coldly. "I will not tolerate your presence any longer."

Isabella nodded, her heart breaking anew. She climbed out of the carriage and headed toward her room, her mind racing.

Isabella's hands trembled as she packed her few belongings into a small bag. Each item she placed inside seemed to add to the heaviness in her heart. The finality of it all was suffocating. She had no idea where she would go or how she would manage to survive. Her thoughts were interrupted by the soft creak of the door opening.

Sarah stood in the doorway, her face etched with concern. "Isabella, what has happened? Why are you packing? I heard a commotion, but…"

Isabella could not hold back the tears any longer. They flowed freely down her cheeks as she recounted the events of the evening.

"Marie thinks I stole her grandmother's necklace. But that is not what happened. I was attacked while in her clothing, and it was stolen. I tried to explain, but she will not listen. She has fired me and called me a thief. She has said that she will make sure everyone knows that about me, so I will not be allowed to work again."

Sarah's eyes widened in disbelief. "That's terrible! But you would never do such a thing. How could she accuse you like that? She knows you. You have worked here for such a long time, and you've always been good to our mistress."

"She does not care about the truth," Isabella said, her voice breaking. "I am just another servant to her. My words mean nothing."

Sarah moved closer, wrapping her arms around Isabella in a comforting embrace. "I am so sorry, Isabella. This is not fair. What will you do now?"

Isabella shook her head, her voice trembling with uncertainty. "I'll have to go back to the orphanage, at least until I can find another position."

Sarah's grip tightened, her voice filled with determination. "I will do what I can to help. Maybe I can talk to Lord and Lady Montgomery. They might listen to reason."

Isabella offered a weak smile, appreciating her friend's loyalty, but she knew the futility of the effort. "Thank you, Sarah, but Marie has already made up her mind. It is no use."

Sarah's eyes flashed with resolve. "Then I will come visit you at the orphanage. You will be alone in this. And if I hear of any jobs, then I will immediately let you know."

Isabella nodded, finding a small comfort in Sarah's words. "That means a lot to me. I would love that."

After their embrace, Isabella gathered the last of her belongings. She took a final, sorrowful look around the small room that had been her sanctuary. With a heavy heart, she stepped out, the weight of Marie's accusations still pressing down on her.

As Isabella made her way through the Montgomery estate for the last time, she felt the curious eyes of the other servants upon her. Whispers followed her, carrying rumors and speculation. She kept her head down, avoiding their gazes. The familiar surroundings now felt cold and unwelcoming.

When she reached the main door, she took a deep breath, steeling herself for the uncertain future ahead. The orphanage was not far, but the distance felt vast, given the weight of her predicament. She stepped outside, the cool evening air hitting her face like a wake-up call.

Determined not to succumb to despair, she started her journey back to the orphanage, her mind racing with thoughts of how to clear her name and secure her future and get another job, to ensure she could keep going, no matter what.