HIS DARK SECRET

Chapter3

Clara's POV

I stood there, my nails digging into my palms, my throat tight with a scream I wasn't allowed to let out.

"Now, listen closely," she continued, smoothing out her dress.

"I will send you the location to the estate. If anyone asks, you’re there because you saw a poster for a maid position. You are not to mention me, and you are certainly not to mention that you’ve ever seen me. Do you understand?"

"I understand," I muttered, my head bowed so she wouldn't see the fire in my eyes.

As I packed my things, my mother grabbed my hand, tears streaming down her face.

"This is all my fault," she sobbed.

"I’m a useless mother for letting you go through this."

I pulled her into a firm hug, my heart aching.

"Don't say that. You aren't useless," I whispered.

"I was looking for a new job anyway. I'll be fine, Mom. I promise."

Even though I was only 19,

I had learned to carry the weight of my family’s survival on my shoulders.

I was the daughter who had to stay strong and hide my tears,

because my only goal in this world was for my family to have a better life.

Later that day,

I stood before the gates of the Estate. It was so beautiful it’s felt like heaven—vast emerald lawns, marble statues, and a mansion that looked like a fortress.

The gates opened automatically after I announced myself.

A silent worker led me to the back gardens, where an elderly man sat in a high-backed chair.

This was Mrs.victoria farther.

"You're here for the job?"

he asked.

His voice was tired but kind, a sharp contrast to his daughter Victoria.

"Yes, sir. I’m Clara."

Clara? “that’s a nice name you can call me Mr. Sterling”

Okay sir. i replied

He didn't ask for a resume. He didn't ask for references.

He just sighed and looked toward a stunning, modern villa a few yards away from the main house.

"You won't be working for me, child. It’s my grandson. he’s ... difficult. He needs someone to look after his home. Your quarters are in the villa. Go get settled. You start tonight at 8:00 PM when he returns."

My room in the villa was bigger than our entire apartment at Mrs.Victoria's. It felt like a dream,

but the dread in my stomach told me it was a nightmare in disguise.

At 8:00 PM sharp, I went to the valley to prepare his tea,

just as the head housekeeper had instructed.

The house was silent, beautiful, clean and cold.

I was just finishing the tea service when the front door swung open.

Heavy footsteps echoed on the hardwood.

"You must be the new girl Grandpa hired to suffer in this house,

a familiar, freezing voice said.

I turned around slowly, my breath catching in my throat.

my eyes widely opened in shock.

It was him. The man from the club.

His eyes weren't red anymore, but they were sharper than any knife.

In three strides, he was across the room.

Before I could move, his hand was around my throat, pinning me against the kitchen counter.

"You again How did you find me?" he hissed, his face twisted in a snarl.

"Did you come here to blackmail me with what you saw? Who sent you here?"

"I didn't know!" I gasped, clawing at his hand.

"I didn't even knew it was going to be you i will be working for!”

He shoved me away, I collapsed onto the floor, gasping for air.

He looked down at me, a cruel, mocking smile spreading across his lips.

"I know exactly who sent you," he said, his voice dripping with venom.

"it’s my aunt. You’re her little rat, aren't you?

The name hit me like a physical blow.

His aunt?

My blood turned to ice as the truth crashed down on me.

That meant Mrs.Victoria is his aunt—and he was the grandson she wanted me to spy on.

My mind spun in circles.

He was so sure, so certain that Mrs.Victoria had sent me to spy on him.

What do I do? I can't let him find out he’s right.

If he realizes that really am her 'spy,' he’ll kill me before the night is over.

I stood there, trembling, my heart hammering so hard it hurt.

My life had turned upside down in less than twenty-four hours.

Just this morning, I was relieved, thinking I’d never have to see this man’s terrifying face again.

Now, I was trapped in his house, assigned to report every detail of his life back to his aunt mrs victoria.

This was more than a job.

It was a death trap.

Looking into his cold, vengeful eyes, I knew my life was a mess for good.

I was trapped between a murderous aunt and a vengeful drugs addict. And I had nowhere to run.