Chapter 2 - The Bloodstained Watch
Clara wiped her hands on her apron and rushed up the stairs to find her missing daughter.
She found Mia wandering happily near the second-floor landing with her stuffed rabbit.
Clara scooped the child into her arms and scolded her quietly for leaving the designated staff area.
As she turned to carry Mia downstairs, Clara noticed something strange on the pristine carpet.
A small, silver medical tray was overturned near the entrance to Lorenzo's suite.
Clara cautiously walked closer and saw an empty syringe rolling slowly across the floorboards.
She quickly grabbed Mia and hurried back to their cramped bedroom before anyone could see them.
The next morning, Clara reported to the kitchen for her daily cleaning assignments.
Isabella Romano, the strict head housekeeper, handed Clara a ring of heavy brass keys.
"Nurse Elena quit unexpectedly during the night," Isabella announced with a completely emotionless face.
"You will be responsible for cleaning Mr. Moretti's medical suite from now on."
Clara felt a cold knot form in the pit of her stomach.
She knew Elena needed this job desperately to pay for her mother's expensive nursing home.
Elena would never abandon her prestigious position without collecting her final paycheck.
Clara took the keys and walked upstairs to begin her new, terrifying duties.
The medical suite smelled strongly of bleach and heavy industrial cleaners.
She began wiping down the expensive heart monitors and checking the empty trash bins.
When she reached the laundry basket in the corner, she pulled out a pile of soiled white towels.
Something heavy and metallic fell from the towels and hit the floor with a loud clatter.
Clara dropped to her knees and picked up the object with shaking fingers.
It was Elena's silver wristwatch, covered entirely in thick, dried crimson blood.
The bathroom door behind her suddenly clicked shut, locking from the inside.
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A tall shadow moved slowly behind the frosted glass of the shower door.
Clara realized she was completely trapped in the room with whoever had murdered the nurse.
