Marcus pulled Clara up from the hard cold floor very gently.
She was shaking so hard she could barely stand on her feet.
Her thin cotton uniform was wet near the knees from the bucket.
Marcus looked into her eyes with deep concern and confusion.
He had spent thousands of dollars searching for her five years ago.
She had disappeared after their father passed away in San Antonio.
Every private investigator told him that the trail had gone cold.
Yet here she was, standing in his own grand hallway in Texas.
Clara wiped her teary eyes with the sleeve of her dark shirt.
She looked toward the large curved staircase with deep fear.
Marcus heard the faint sound of high heels clicking on marble above.
He turned his head sharply to look up at the top landing.
Evelyn stood there holding a tall glass of expensive red wine.
She wore a dark silk dress and gold jewelry that caught light.
A small, smug smile was on her face as she looked down.
She did not look surprised to see Clara crying on the floor.
In fact, her eyes were cold and completely empty of any kindness.
Marcus felt a surge of hot rage build inside his chest fast.
He stepped in front of Clara to protect her from Evelyn's gaze.
Evelyn slowly walked down three steps with her wine glass.
She acted as if nothing was wrong in the luxury house today.
Evelyn: You returned early from your business trip, darling.
Marcus: She was here all along! Explain this right now!
Evelyn: Don't yell at me in our house, Marcus.
Marcus: Why is my missing sister cleaning our marble floors?
Evelyn stopped on the middle stair step and took a small sip.
Her smug expression flickered for just a single second.
She narrowed her eyes at Clara with obvious disgust and annoyance.
Marcus clenched his fists tight at his sides as he waited.
He needed answers before his anger took over his common sense.
The silence in the grand hallway was thick and heavy now.
Clara pulled on Marcus's suit sleeve with a trembling hand.
She wanted him to drop the argument before it grew worse.
But Marcus was not going to let this secret stay buried.
He had loved his sister dearly before she vanished years ago.
Now he was standing in the middle of a massive betrayal.
He glared up at his new wife with sharp, demand-filled eyes.