Chapter 3 - THE VANISHING OF CLARA
"Six months, Clara... you vanished without a single trace," Thomas whispered, his voice cracking with restrained emotion.
"You gave me no choice, Thomas," Clara replied softly, her dark eyes reflecting the warm light of the hotel chandeliers.
Behind them on a wooden floor stand, the US flag caught the ambient light of the luxury corridor.
"My mother showed me the signed settlement papers," Thomas revealed, his eyes searching her pale, exhausted face.
"Your mother paid off my landlord and threatened to destroy my family if I didn't leave New York!" Clara revealed, tears brimming in her eyes.
Thomas felt his chest tighten with overwhelming guilt as the dark truth finally came to light.
"I never authorized those papers, Clara... I’ve been searching every hospital and shelter in the tri-state area for you," he confessed.
Clara looked down at her burgundy uniform, her breathing shallow as she clutched her pregnant stomach in pain.
"It doesn't matter now, Thomas," Clara whimpered softly. "I'm just a hotel housekeeper trying to survive."
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Before Thomas could respond, the hotel manager marched down the hallway with a scowl on his face.
***
