Unleashing When The Time Is Right

Maria’s POV

I followed Charlotte to that hotel out of worry, she’s been behaving strange lately. But what I saw when she came home surprised me.

She had fresh bruises on her thighs and neck, which confirmed my worst fears and forced me to make a choice I never wanted.

A cab dropped her off just after midnight. I watched from the side entrance, scared for what Charlotte is turning into.

She sneaked into the house but from how she walked it felt like she’s been manhandled. She was almost limping.

I’d have sworn she was raped. When she stepped into the living room and turned the light on, I saw marks on her body.

There were dark fingerprints on her inner thighs. A purple color that formed a ring around her neck. She tried to pull her coat to cover up but it was too late.

I already saw what I needed to see.

I waited until morning. Yet I couldn't sleep. When she came down for coffee wearing a sweater on a hot morning, I pulled her into the pantry and closed the door. “Miss Charlotte. Those bruises, you’re trying to hide. I saw them last night. Tell me the truth.”

She froze. She tried to laugh it off. “Oh, Auntie Maria. You think too much. I fell down. Clumsy me. It’s nothing,trust me.”

“Those marks aren’t from falling down.” My voice stayed low. “I followed you to the hotel. Who did you go to see?”

“You better start talking or else!” My voice became a bit loud.

“I…I… It was dinner with my classmate.” Her fingers were twitching.

“Dinner with classmates? Or you slept out with your dad. Because I noticed he didn’t sleep at home last night, and both of you came home, almost at the same time.” I folded my arms. “I might be old school but I know when I’m being fooled.”

Charlotte’s eyes filled with tears. She looked so innocent suddenly. “Please don’t tell her. It’s not what you think. I love him, Auntie. He makes me feel… seen. Mom’s never here. She only cares about the company and looking perfect. I can’t stop. I tried.”

Her voice cracked. I almost felt sorry for her. But I’d watched this family for years. I’ve Mrs. Stacy work herself to exhaustion, she might not be present in her daughter's life but she loves her family to a fault. “ Your mom doesn’t deserve this betrayal. You have to stop, both of you….. If this gets out of hand, I’ll be left with no choice than to tell her.”

She cried while begging me not to tell her mom. I made her swear on her father’s memory.

She nodded, wiping her face. I let her go, but inside me. I knew I needed to let this out.

I found Mr. Sebastian in his study an hour later. He looked like he hasn’t slept. “Maria. Please. Whatever you it is…”

“I’ve seen enough,” I cut in. “You’re supposed to protect this family. Not destroy it. Mrs. Stacy deserves better. Charlotte deserves a better father. If you don’t end things. I’ll have to involve your wife.”

He rubbed his face. Acting all innocent but I don’t trust men like him. “I know. I’m trying . I really am. She… she’s difficult to resist.”

“Sir, can you hear yourself ?”

“Charlotte told me you already know we were together last night, but it didn’t happen exactly the way you think.” He scratched his head. “What happened was…. Forget it.”

“But, please do not get Stacy involved in this. I’ll handle this myself, I promise….”

His voice cracked on the last part. I saw a man who genuinely cared about his wife and stepdaughter, so I gave him the benefit of the doubt.

I mean a part of me wanted to believe him.

“I’ll keep quiet,” I said. “For now. But if I see one more thing, I will go to her. Without any hesitation."

He nodded. “Thank you.” As he took a heavy breath, looking relieved.

The relief didn’t last long. I didn’t know Mrs. Stacy heard part of our discussion.

She came home early that afternoon. And walked in on the tail end of another quiet conversation between me and Mr. Sebastian in the kitchen. She only caught a few words, something about “keeping secrets” “having an affair” and “Charlotte.” Her face changed. “What secrets? What’s going on?”

I tried to wave it off. “Just household matters, ma’am.”

But she wasn’t having it. Her eyes went sharp. “Maria, if there’s something wrong with my family, I need to know. Now.”

I didn’t know what to say at that point. So she fired me on the spot. “I can’t have staff spreading rumors or keeping things from me. Pack your things. I’ll have your salary sent to you this evening.”

Mr. Sebastian tried to argue. But she didn’t listen, she probably thought I was insulting her husband or child.

Charlotte stood in the doorway smiling. I’d be finally out of the way, she won’t have me come in between her forbidden desires.

What Mrs. Stacy doesn’t know is that by firing me, she’s invited the devil to not only dine with her but also share a room in her home.

I packed my things in silence. My hands shook the whole time. I’d lost my job. The only steady thing I’d had for years.

Mrs. Stacy has been good to me and my family. But she fired me without thinking twice. Well it’s high time I leave the Lorrian’s mansion before the bomb explodes.

But worse, I still carried the secret. And the photos I’d taken of Charlotte’s bruises that morning. Just in case.

As I zipped my suitcase, my phone buzzed with a message. The security guy I tipped to find out who Charlotte was with sent a photo of Charlotte and Sebastian leaving the hotel together.

If I walk out and show this to Mrs. Stacy, her perfect family will crumble. But since she fired me without any consideration.

“I’ll keep this picture. I think it’ll be useful to me in the future.” I smiled. It’s better to stay on the side and watch things unfold.

“Maria, can I come in?” That was Sebastian’s voice. He didn’t wait for me to respond. He opened the door and walked in.

“I’m sorry about my wife’s outburst. She’s not always like this. Don’t worry I’ll send you some money for your upkeep.” He held my hands together. “Just don’t breathe a word about what you know to any one.”

“Okay, Sir.”

I left the mansion with photos and enough information that could cause havoc to the perfect “Lorrian’s Family” that everyone admired.

Mrs. Stacy will regret this, it’s only a matter of time.