Chapter 2 - The Fifth Nanny’s Secret
A thick, icy darkness gaped from inside the open closet.
Mr. Morrison immediately placed himself in front of Clara and the children.
His posture shifted from blind rage to intense, animalistic protection.
He slowly reached into his suit jacket, gripping something hidden near his chest.
"Clara, step back," he commanded in a low, gravelly tone.
Clara took a step back toward the bed, keeping both toddlers behind her back.
The hallway outside was pitch black.
The wind outside howled against the heavy glass windows.
Mr. Morrison carefully approached the open closet door.
He pulled the door back completely with one swift movement.
Nothing was inside except heavy winter coats swaying slightly on iron hangers.
On the closet floor lay a small, dark object that had fallen from a top shelf.
It was a faded leather notebook tied with a worn red ribbon.
Mr. Morrison stared down at the notebook as if it were a venomous snake.
"Don't touch it," he muttered under his breath.
Clara stepped forward despite the warning, her curiosity overpowering her fear.
She crouched down and retrieved the small leather book before he could grab it.
On the inner cover, handwriting was scribbled in messy, panicked red ink.
"Property of Sarah - Nanny #5," the inscription read.
Clara flipped the page frantically while Mr. Morrison glared at her.
The entry was dated exactly two weeks prior.
"He thinks I don't see the bruises on the boys," the note read.
"The marks don't come from falling or playing."
"Someone in this mansion is slowly breaking them."
Clara raised her tear-filled eyes to glare directly at Mr. Morrison.
"Did you do this to your own sons?" she demanded, her voice shaking with anger.
"You know nothing about what happens in this house!" Mr. Morrison snapped, lunging toward her to seize the diary.
Clara dodged his reach and bolted out of the bedroom into the dark corridor.
She ran down the grand staircase, her heart hammering wildly against her ribs.
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Behind her, the sudden sound of heavy footsteps made her freeze at the bottom step.
A tall figure was standing silently in the foyer darkness, waiting for her.
