Chapter 55

Clara's POV

On my way out, as I wheeled out the bucket filled with some of the cleaning stuff I had been using, it accidentally knocked into the table. This caused the stacked folders on the table's edge to fall to the floor. These accidents had to stop.

I sighed, bending down to pick up the folders and the loose papers now sticking out.

I suddenly froze as I stared at the pictures scattered on the floor.

It was pictures of me, not just of me, some including my mom and Katy. Some pictures date ten years back, including some embarrassing twelfth-birthday photos.

I couldn't wrap my head around it while scanning the pictures. What was this, and why did he have pictures of my family and me? Was he some sick psychopath? Does that mean he knew me before arriving here, or was this part of some unhealthy obsession?

My hands stopped as I stared down at an old photo. It was a younger version of my mom, probably around my age. I could recognize her smile and the same golden brown hair I inherited from her. Beside her was a boy who smiled as brightly, their arms held together. It took me a while to realise that was Leonardo's familiar face. The thought sent a shiver down my spine.

Sounds were coming from the door. Someone had arrived.

My hands quickly moved as I tried to stash all those photos into the folders. My trembling hands only made things worse.

Suppose this man was collecting pictures of my family and me. Who knows what else he could do? I could be murdered here for all I know.

His horrified expression matched mine, and so many emotions swept across me.

"Let me explain," he said.

I felt too frightened even to move or speak.

My left hand held onto the picture of my mom and him as I slowly rose.

He didn't dare step any further. Anyone could see how frightened and confused I was.

What if he was a serial killer?

For the first time, I started running through all of my options. Seeing me here, he had left the front door open so I could quickly escape.

I chose that option, running out of the suite and not looking back despite his calls.

Luckily, the elevator arrived just in time. I pressed the button for the ground floor and stood at the far end of the elevator. I was just too confused about everything. Nothing made sense to me right now. I would have stayed to find out, but the thought of possibly getting murdered outweighed my curiosity.

The elevator stopped two floors down. I tried to mask my emotions. I didn't want anyone who walked in to think I was some psychopath.

Much to my surprise, it was Ivy who walked in.

At first, she hadn't seen me. She looked tired, her eyes fixed on the floor as she dragged her feet.

“Clara," Ivy exclaimed, looking up.

I didn't answer, and I didn't know how not with the many thoughts running through my mind. Ivy quickly picked up on this as she stepped closer to me.

The elevator doors closed again.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"Can you please tell Marcus I'm sick and must go home urgently? Tell him I have already finished both rooms." I stated.

"Sure, but you don't look very well right now. Did something happen?" she asked.

To explain, I handed her the picture. My hands were still shaking.

"Holy cow," she muttered, her eyes widening. I could tell that she thought about it, too.

"It was a lot more disturbing. He had more pictures of my family and me dating back ten years ago." I continued.

I would have loved to explain more to her, but I still didn't know what was happening. Maybe my mom had the answers.

"At least now we know that he knows your mother." She said, examining the picture.

"It doesn't explain why he has a whole album of our photos," I said.

This was just too creepy, some stranger whom you've only spoken to a few times having your family pictures, plus he visited my mom. Putting things together just made me all the more curious.

"Do you think that what I said could be true? Maybe he is your father." She exclaimed.

"I thought that was already ruled out. It was far too outrageous," I replied.

"Think about it. Your mother never told you about it. Maybe she left because he was some creep to protect you, and now he has been researching and finding out about your whereabouts." She rumbled.

She was suffering from the side effects of watching too many telenovelas.

"He was at our house the other day. Katy said that the two of them were too friendly. You don't smile at the creeps you are trying to escape." I reasoned.

She sighed as she tried to think of another hypothesis.

The elevator doors opened on the ground floor.

"Tell me about how everything goes." She pulled me in for a quick hug. "Be safe." She added.

I smiled back as I collected the picture back from her. I hurried to gather my things in the locker room before getting a taxi.

I tried to think through things to the point that I was even more confused. But one thing was certain: my mother knew the truth, and I would have to get it out of her. She owned me so much since she could call me stupid for getting pregnant.

Thanks to me leaving work a bit early, there wasn't much traffic.

I handed the driver his fee as I stepped out of the cab in front of the house.

I matched into our yard. The front door was unlocked. Around this time, both Mom and Katy were likely to be at home.

The front door emitted its usual loud noise. I wouldn't say I like this door.

Mom was in the living room. Multitasking as usual, she read through her baking magazine while the TV was on.

Katy was lying on the floor, her school books laid out as she worked through some sums.

They looked surprised to see me here at this time.

"Did he already put you on maternity leave?" Mom asked, looking up from her magazine.

I took in a deep breath, not wanting to lose all of the calm that I had been holding in.

I handed her the picture.

Her eyes widened as she stared at the picture.

Just then, there was a loud knock on our front door. Katy stood up to get it.

I wanted to tell Katy not to move and that she should stay here and be safe because it could be someone dangerous. However, that would allow Mom to lie to me again or try to get herself out of this.

"Are you going to explain who he is?" I asked.

Mom sighed, her body relaxing slightly as she looked up at me.

Why did she look so calm? I imagined that she would have been freaking out. It's not like she wanted us to find out, or she would have introduced us.

Katy returned, but she wasn't alone. Leonardo was right behind her as they slowly walked into the living room.

It's great that both of them were here. I could get the truth out of someone.

There was less chance of him murdering all three of us at once.

Mom looked back at Leonardo as if she was looking for his permission. I think I saw him nod.

She sighed, her gaze returning to me. "He is my brother," she explained.

"What?" I whispered.