Chapter 3 - An Unexpected Guest
Clara woke up to the sound of Lily drawing with crayons on the floor.
The morning sun filtered through the smog-stained window of their tiny apartment.
Clara felt a heavy knot of panic in her stomach.
She had no job, no money, and no way to buy groceries next week.
A sharp, authoritative knock echoed on her front door.
Clara grabbed her heavy iron wrench from her tool belt before walking to the door.
She peered through the peephole and saw a man in a ridiculously expensive suit.
Cautiously, Clara unlocked the deadbolt and opened the door a few inches.
Julian Sterling stood in the hallway, looking completely out of place in the rundown building.
“Clara Hayes, I am Julian Sterling,” he introduced himself smoothly.
Clara tightened her grip on the wrench.
“I know who you are,” she said cautiously.
“May I come in?” he asked, glancing down at the weapon in her hand.
Clara hesitated, then stepped aside to let him enter the cramped living room.
Julian looked at the peeling wallpaper and the patched furniture.
His eyes softened when he saw little Lily coloring on the rug.
“I came to thank you for saving my grandmother,” Julian said sincerely.
He reached into his jacket and pulled out a sleek, black envelope.
“This is a certified check for one million dollars,” he said, holding it out to her.
Clara stared at the envelope, her heart pounding in her chest.
May you like
It was enough money to fix every single problem in her life.
But a fierce, stubborn pride flared up inside her.
