The Girl Who Chose the Maid Over Her Father

Chapter 4: Clara's Last Secret

Vivian tried to run.

Julian caught her before she reached the nursery door.

"Tell me what happened to my wife."

Vivian's perfect face twisted. "Your wife was going to ruin everything."

Anna stepped forward. "Because she found the account transfers."

Julian looked between them. "What transfers?"

Anna opened the diary with shaking hands. Between the pages were folded documents, bank slips, and a letter addressed to Julian.

Clara had discovered that Vivian, who was then only the family's social secretary, had been moving money from Sophie's trust through false charity accounts. When Clara threatened to expose her, Vivian had help from someone inside the house.

Julian's voice dropped. "Who helped you?"

Vivian said nothing.

Anna answered.

"Your uncle."

Julian went still.

His uncle, Robert West, had managed the family estate after Clara's death. He had also encouraged Julian to marry Vivian, telling him Sophie needed a mother.

Vivian laughed bitterly. "Robert did what you were too weak to do. He protected the West name."

Julian's jaw tightened. "By killing Clara?"

"I didn't kill her," Vivian snapped. "The medicine did."

The room went silent.

Sophie began crying.

Anna pulled the little girl into her arms and covered her ears.

Julian looked at Vivian as if he no longer recognized her.

"You poisoned my wife."

Vivian's voice broke into anger. "She was going to take Sophie and leave. She said she would expose us all. Robert said a slow illness would be cleaner."

Anna whispered, "Clara knew. That is why she gave me the diary."

"Why didn't you come to me?" Julian asked.

Anna's face crumpled. "I tried. Robert had me dismissed. Then Vivian threatened my family."

Before Julian could answer, heavy footsteps sounded in the corridor.

Robert West entered the nursery with two private guards.

His eyes went straight to the diary in Julian's hand.

"Give me that," he said coldly.

Sophie clung to Anna.

Julian stepped in front of them.

Robert smiled.

"Don't make this harder in front of your daughter."

Then one of the guards locked the nursery door behind him.