Chapter 8
A week later, Clara came to my study looking nervous.
She stood in the doorway, twisting her hands in her apron.
“Sir… I mean, Alexander,” she corrected herself. “Can I speak with you?”
I put down the documents I was reading.
“Of course. Come in.”
She stepped inside and closed the door behind her. For a moment, she didn’t speak. Then she took a deep breath.
“There’s something I need to tell you,” she said. “Something I should have said earlier.”
I waited.
Clara looked down at her hands.
“My real name isn’t Clara Thompson. I changed it three years ago when I started working here.”
I stayed silent, letting her continue.
“My real name is Clara Bennett,” she said quietly. “Olivia Bennett is my older sister.”
The words hung in the air between us.
I leaned back in my chair, processing what she had just said.
Clara looked worried.
“I never told you because I didn’t want you to think I was working here to spy on you or help my sister. I cut ties with Olivia years ago. We were never close. When I found out she was involved with you, I almost quit. But then I saw how she treated you… and I couldn’t leave.”
She took another shaky breath.
“I stayed because I wanted to make sure someone in this house was looking out for you. Even if it was just a maid.”
I stood up and walked around the desk until I was standing in front of her.
“Why are you telling me this now?” I asked gently.
Clara looked up at me.
“Because I don’t want any secrets between us. Not if we’re going to… try to be something more. I was afraid you would hate me if you found out who my sister is.”
I reached out and took her hands in mine.
“Clara,” I said, “your sister’s actions are not your responsibility. You are not Olivia. You never have been.”
Tears filled her eyes.
“I was so scared you would send me away.”
I shook my head.
“I’m not sending you anywhere. If anything, knowing this only makes me respect you more. You stayed in this house, watching your own sister try to take everything from me, and you still chose to be kind. That takes strength.”
Clara let out a shaky breath.
“So… you’re not angry?”
I smiled.
“No. I’m grateful. Because while everyone else was showing me their worst, you quietly showed me your best.”
May you like
I squeezed her hands gently.
“And that’s something I will never forget.”
