Two Times the Charm (Clara and Emmett) novel Chapter 493

Though Clara and Emmett were no longer married, she still wanted to see with her own eyes that he had come home healthy, to see him stride through the door with that commanding presence she remembered so well.

If that could be, then whatever she had to do was worth it.

But tossing and turning, Clara's bed creaked with every move.

Beside her, already fast asleep, Rose stirred awake. Rubbing her eyes, she mumbled, "Clara, why aren't you asleep yet?"

"I just can't seem to drift off," Clara said, turning to look at her. "Did I wake you? I'm so sorry, I'll try to be quieter."

Rose offered a sleepy smile and swung her legs out of bed to pour herself a glass of water. "It's alright; I should have been up soon anyway. Got to start my shift in a couple of hours, so waking up now doesn't hurt."

"You have to work that early?"

"Yeah, the butler's orders!" Rose made a face. "Feels like he does it on purpose, always assigning me the early bird shifts! Told him a million times I'm not a morning person, but does he listen? Nope."

Clara pressed her lips together, guilt washing over her. It seemed that her presence had brought trouble for Rose as well.

The butler's dislike for Clara had unfortunately spilled over.

"I'm sorry, Rose. If it weren't for me, he wouldn't be giving you such a hard time..."

Rose looked puzzled by the sudden apology. "What are you apologizing? This isn't your fault. The butler and I never really got along, and I think the guy's a piece of work!"

"What are you doing?" Rose frowned. "Do you think I'm the type to bow down to bullies? I'll have you know, even if we weren't roommates, I'd still stand up to him if I saw him treating any of the staff unfairly!"

Clara bit her lip, realizing that in the Melendez estate, Rose might be the only one who genuinely wanted to help her.

"I've always believed that I came to work for the Melendez family, not to be enslaved by them! They pay me a good wage, and that's why I work loyally. But that doesn't mean I've given up my dignity! If they think that throwing money my way means I can't have self-respect, then this job isn't worth it!"

A twinge of envy surged in Clara.

She envied Rose for living so freely, for her simplicity and clarity that allowed her to live such an unburdened life.