The First Apology Came Too Late
Chapter 06 - The First Apology Came Too Late
I found another job cleaning rooms at a small hotel near O'Hare.
The pay was lower.
The commute was longer.
And I no longer had staff housing.
But the manager was kind.
He didn't ask why I'd left the Vance estate beyond confirming that I'd been employed there.
He simply said, "Can you start Monday?"
I nearly cried.
"Yes, sir."
For the first time in weeks, I felt as though the ground beneath my feet might become steady again.
Then Owen's treatment coordinator called.
One of the assistance applications I'd submitted was under additional review.
There was no accusation of wrongdoing, and his medical team reassured us that treatment decisions remained separate from the funding paperwork.
But the delay frightened me.
I immediately thought of Margaret.
Her warning echoed in my head.
Financial support programs have limited resources.
I couldn't prove she'd interfered.
And I didn't want to accuse anyone without evidence.
But I was afraid.
That evening, I returned to my rented apartment and found a black car parked outside.
My stomach tightened.
For a second, I considered walking past it.
Then the rear door opened.
Ethan Vance stepped out.
He wasn't wearing a tuxedo.
Just dark trousers, a white shirt, and an overcoat.
He looked exhausted.
"Clara."
I stopped.
"Mr. Vance."
He approached slowly.
"Can we talk?"
I tightened my grip on my grocery bag.
"About what?"
He looked uncomfortable.
"Grace."
My heart jumped.
"Is she okay?"
"Yes."
I exhaled.
He studied my face.
"She's been having trouble sleeping."
I looked away.
"I'm sorry."
"She seems to be looking for you."
I swallowed.
For a moment, all I could imagine was Grace lifting her little hands, searching for someone familiar.
Ethan continued.
"I wanted to ask whether you'd consider returning temporarily to help with her routine."
I stared at him.
"You fired me."
He nodded.
"I know."
"In front of everyone."
"I know."
"You accused me of putting your baby in danger."
His jaw tightened.
"My mother said—"
I stepped backward.
"Please don't."
He stopped.
I looked at him.
"Don't stand outside my apartment and tell me what your mother said. I was there."
Ethan's expression changed.
"I understand you're upset."
I laughed bitterly.
"Upset?"
I shifted the grocery bag to my other hand.
"I held your daughter underwater long enough to reach her and bring her to the surface. I was terrified she would die before I could get her out. And while I was trying to catch my breath, you called me a liar."
He looked down.
"I was frightened."
"So was I."
Silence fell.
Then I said something I'd been carrying inside since that night.
"The difference is that you had power. And you used it against the person who couldn't fight back."
His face tightened.
He opened his mouth.
Then closed it.
I watched him.
"Your daughter deserves someone who will believe the truth, Mr. Vance. Not just whoever has the most expensive clothes."
I walked around him.
He didn't follow.
Inside, I placed the groceries on the counter.
My hands were shaking.
I sat on the floor and cried.
Not because I regretted what I'd said.
Because seeing Ethan had brought everything back.
Grace underwater.
Her tiny hand.
The sound of her crying after the medic helped her breathe.
For days, I'd tried not to think about her.
Now I could see her face every time I closed my eyes.
My phone vibrated.
A message from Ethan.
I'm sorry for the way I spoke to you.
I stared at it.
Then another appeared.
I should have thanked you for saving Grace.
I read both messages.
Neither changed what happened.
I set the phone down.
And didn't answer.
Across the city, Ethan returned to his mansion.
He found Luis waiting outside his study.
"Sir, there's something you need to see."
Ethan frowned.
"What?"
Luis held a tablet.
"It's about the pool."
Ethan's stomach tightened.
"Has something happened?"
"No, sir."
Luis took a breath.
"But I found a recording from that night."
For several seconds, Ethan didn't move.
Then he opened the study door.
"Come in."
Luis followed him inside.
He placed the tablet on the desk.
Opened the video.
May you like
And pressed play.
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