Chapter 3 feeling devastated by Samuel's words

That morning, the sun had just risen on the eastern horizon, illuminating the grand house where Clara now lived and worked. Clara, who was still feeling depressed after the incident some time ago, tried hard to go through her day calmly, especially since she had to take care of Leo, Samuel's young son. Leo, with his curly blond hair and big blue eyes, is an energetic child who always makes the atmosphere more lively. Although Samuel is his biological father, Leo has grown closer to Clara because of Samuel's often cold and distant presence. Today, as usual, Clara is sitting in the living room with Leo, helping him build a tower of wooden blocks on the floor. "Mama Clara, look! I made a tall tower!" Leo exclaimed excitedly, his innocent face radiating with pride. Clara smiled softly, trying to hide the pain that still haunted her heart. "Well done, Leo. You're so smart." Leo paused for a moment and looked at Clara seriously, "Mom, what else are we going to play later?" Clara gasped when she heard Leo call her "Mom". Although Leo had called her that for a long time, this time it felt different, considering what happened between her and Samuel. She felt trapped between her love for Leo and the complicated situation with her father. Before Clara could answer, the sound of the door opening roughly made them both turn. Samuel entered the room with a cold expression, his blue eyes staring at Clara with an unreadable gaze. "Leo, come here," Samuel ordered loudly, causing Leo to freeze and look at his father with a little fear. Clara immediately stood up, trying to explain, “Mr. Samuel, we were just playing. Leo—” "Shut up," Samuel cut in sharply. "I didn't ask what you were doing." Clara was silent, her heart pounding. Leo, who felt the tension, slowly approached Clara, holding Clara's hand tightly. "I asked why Leo called you 'Mama,'" Samuel continued, his voice full of suspicion. "What did you teach him?" Clara shook her head quickly, feeling cornered. "Mr. Samuel, I never taught him. Leo... he did it himself—" "Don't lie!" Samuel snapped, causing Clara to take a step back. "My child would never call a nanny 'Mom'." Leo looked at his father with teary eyes, not understanding why Samuel was angry. "Papa, I like Mama Clara... Mama is good." Samuel turned his face away, as if he didn't want to hear Leo's words. "You're still young, Leo. You don't understand." Clara bit her lip, heartbroken to see Leo so confused and scared. However, she knew that arguing with Samuel would only make things worse. "Leo, why don't you play with the blocks anymore? Mama Clara will be here soon," Clara tried to calm Leo down, even though she herself felt nervous. Leo looked at Clara with sad eyes, but he obeyed and sat back down on the floor, carefully starting to build his tower again. After Leo turned away, Samuel approached Clara, his voice turning softer, but still cold. "Listen, Clara. Don't ever think you can take Leo's biological mother's place. You are just a nanny. Remember that well." Clara lowered her head, not daring to look at Samuel. "I understand, Mr. Samuel." Samuel snorted and turned towards the door, but before he left, he turned back to Clara. "And one more thing, Clara... Don't let Leo get too close to you. I don't want my son to be confused about who his real parents are." Clara just nodded slowly, feeling devastated by Samuel's words. When Samuel left the room, Clara sat back on the floor, trying to hold back the tears that were about to fall. Leo, who had been watching Clara from a distance, walked over again and hugged her tightly. "Mama Clara, don't be sad," Leo whispered innocently. "I'll make a tall tower for Mama." Clara hugged Leo tightly, feeling how heavy the role she had to play in this house was—a mother to Leo, but still nothing more than a nanny in Samuel's eyes.