Chapter 12 - Betrayal at Midnight
Clara’s hands shook uncontrollably as she stared at her own painted face on the antique canvas.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" a calm voice murmured behind her.
Clara spun around, expecting Arthur, but found Julian standing quietly in the doorway.
"Why is there a picture of me hidden behind my late wife's portrait?" Clara demanded, stepping back.
Julian’s face showed no emotion, cold and calculated under the gallery lights.
"Because you were never hired by accident, Clara," Julian said smoothly, stepping into the room.
"My wife didn't die from arsenic poisoning two years ago."
"She fled this house because she realized what we were creating."
Clara backed into the corner of the room, clutching the manila envelope against her chest.
"You lied to me," Clara whispered, her voice cracking with terror.
"Arthur isn't the villain here, is he?"
Julian chuckled softly, a chilling sound that filled the quiet room.
"Arthur is just a puppet I created to take the blame when the police started asking questions," Julian admitted.
"Every nanny who came through that door was chosen because she fit a specific profile."
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"A profile that matches the woman who vanished ten years ago—my real lost sister."
Before Clara could digest the horrifying reveal, heavy footsteps hurried down the corridor toward them.
