But moments later, he grabbed her hand again.
“Don’t go,” he whispered.
By morning, Austin slept deeply.
Claraara stepped outside the room and finally allowed herself to cry.
Martins stood nearby, his face tired and pale.
“I’m sorry,” he said quietly. “You didn’t sign up for this pain.”
Claraara wiped her tears.
“I didn’t help him because I expected anything,” she replied. “I helped him because he was human.”
Martins looked at her like he had never seen her before.
That day, Martins took Claraara back to the restaurant.
He didn’t want her life to pause because of his family’s trouble.
But trouble was already waiting.
Maria was back—not inside the restaurant, but across the street.
She stood beside a small food stall, watching. Her eyes followed Claraara as she entered.
Claraara felt the chill immediately.
Work continued smoothly. Staff respected Claraara now. They trusted her.
But whispers followed her.
“Maria is telling people stories,” one staff member whispered. “She says you slept your way to the top.”
Claraara’s breath caught.
“She’s spreading lies,” another added. “Even online…”
Claraara felt like the ground was shaking under her feet again.
That evening, Martins showed her his phone.
Headlines filled the screen:
Restaurant manager in scandal with billionaire owner.
Was promotion earned or given?
Claraara’s hands shook.
“I didn’t do anything wrong,” she whispered.
“I know,” Martins said firmly. “But lies move faster than truth.”
Claraara looked at him, fear shining in her eyes.
“I don’t want to ruin your name…”
Martins stepped closer. “You won’t. I won’t allow it.”
But Maria wasn’t done.
That night, she made her boldest move yet.
She snuck into the restaurant after closing hours using an old spare key she still had.
She poured a clear liquid into a bottle of juice—Claraara’s juice.
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