Chapter 4 - The Viper in the House
Marcus wore an impeccably tailored navy suit.
He looked at Nathaniel, then at me, and finally at the children.
“I thought this room was off-limits, brother,” Marcus said, his smile failing to reach his eyes.
“It was,” Nathaniel said, his voice surprisingly steady.
“The maid’s daughter wandered in,” Nathaniel lied smoothly. “I was just asking Clara to take the children upstairs.”
Marcus’s eyes flicked to me.
He stared at the pockets of my apron.
My heart hammered against my ribs like a trapped bird.
The heavy leather notebook pressed against my thigh.
If he noticed the bulge, we were dead.
“Of course, Mr. Reed,” I said, forcing a subservient tone.
I grabbed Sophia’s hand and scooped Eli into my arms.
“I’m so sorry for the intrusion.”
I bowed my head and hurried past Marcus.
As I brushed past him, I smelled his expensive cologne.
It smelled like copper and cold metal.
“Clara,” Marcus said softly.
I froze in the doorway.
“Yes, Mr. Marcus?”
“Your hands are shaking.”
I swallowed hard.
“I… I was afraid Mr. Reed would fire me for letting the children in here.”
Marcus chuckled. A low, dry sound.
“Nathaniel is too soft to fire anyone,” he said.
He stepped into the ballroom, closing the doors behind him.
I didn't wait to hear the rest of their conversation.
I sprinted up the stairs with the children.
I locked us inside Eli’s nursery.
I pulled the heavy ledger out of my apron and hid it inside a hollow space beneath Eli’s toy chest.
My hands weren't just shaking anymore.
My whole body was vibrating with terror.
Evelyn was right.
May you like
Marcus was a monster.
And now, Nathaniel and I were the only ones who knew his secret.
