The men came back from their trip. Lucas rushed into the room followed by Marcus and Nicholas.
“Sienna? What happened? What’s going on? You were fine when I left?” asked Lucas with concern. He sat down on the bed and pulled her close into his arms. Sienna sobbed into his chest brokenly.
“She lost the antique jewelry that belonged to your grandma. I had given her to wear on her wedding day. I know it’s been stolen, and I had my suspicions about that girl, Cara, since the moment I saw her. She comes and goes into Sienna’s room without permission. We searched her bags and found all the clothes that she stole from Sienna. I’m sure she has hidden the jewelry somewhere. We’ll find it soon if we threaten her,” said their mom in one breath, leaving them all gaping at her.
“Hang on, mom. What exactly are you saying? Are you crazy? Why should the jewelry be stolen? It was lying on Sienna’s bed, so I kept it inside my locker. I would have given it to her tonight, anyway,” said Lucas. Sienna stopped crying and released him, staring at him with surprise.
“It’s with you? I’m sorry. I might have forgotten to keep it inside my closet,” said Sienna.
“Did you search Cara’s bag? How could you, mom? Did you have any proof that she stole it?” asked Marcus, looking livid with fury while his mom looked a little guilty.
“Pam, Maria, and I thought Cara had taken it. We found out that she just stole Sienna’s clothes,” said his mom, trying to defend herself.
“Wait a minute! I gave Cara some clothes which wouldn’t fit me. I also gave her a new turquoise dress to wear tomorrow,” said Sienna. Mrs. Donnelly’s face paled, and she looked uncomfortable.
“There you go! She has stolen nothing, but you people have insulted her. Why mom? Just because she’s poor?” yelled Marcus. There was pin-drop silence in the room.
“I didn’t search her bag. Pam did,” said his mom, defending herself.
“But you didn’t stop her either. Who the hell is Pam? Who gave her the authority to interfere in our matters?” demanded a furious Marcus.
Pam arrived with the doctor, and they all quietened down. Marcus glared at Pam. “See me afterward,” he growled at her, before storming out of the room to look for Cara. His heart constricted with pain at the injustice that had been done to the innocent soul. How could his mom do this to Cara?
He searched for her everywhere, the entire house, her room, but couldn’t find her. He noted the clothes strewn around the floor and realized that they might be the clothes that Sienna had given Cara. A feeling of dread came over him. Did Cara leave? He rushed over to see Maria in the laundry room.
“Maria, where’s Cara?” he asked with concern.
“She left,” said Maria quietly.
“Left? But how can she leave?” asked a bewildered and lost Marcus. His heart was breaking for the girl and he did not know why.
“What else would she do when the poor girl has been humiliated this way? I’m very disappointed. I’m leaving work after the wedding,” said Maria, wiping her eyes.
“Please don’t leave, Maria. Can you give me Cara’s phone number? I want to apologize to her on behalf of everyone. We have found the jewelry. It was with Lucas all this while. Sienna had gifted the dresses to Cara. How could they accuse her without checking?” said Marcus angrily.
“Cara doesn’t have a phone,” said Maria, wiping her tears. “She went away without even taking her pay. She needed the money to buy food for her siblings,” said Maria, wiping more tears away. Marcus looked pained and hurt hearing Maria’s words.
“Give me her address. I’ll give her the money,” said Marcus, looking determined. Maria gave him her address, and Marcus stormed out of the room. He was so disappointed with his family that he didn’t wish to inform anyone. What had come over his mom? While she loved Sienna and her friends, how could she detest Cara for no reason? Was it only because she was poor?
After the doctor left, Sienna was feeling much better. They gathered around the dining table.
“Where’s Marc?” asked granny. Everyone shrugged, since no one knew where he was. Maria was silent. She realized that Marcus might have gone to Cara’s house, but she didn’t say a word to anyone and quietly served the food.
“Why are you doing everything alone, Maria? Where’s Cara?” asked granny. There was a pin-drop silence at the table as everyone looked up to hear Maria’s answer.
“She left without even taking her pay,” said Maria. Sienna felt tears prick in her eyes.
“It’s all because of me she was so insulted. If I had been careful, she wouldn’t have been accused of theft,” said Sienna, getting up and rushing towards the elevator. All her appetite left her, and she just didn’t feel like doing anything else. Lucas ran after her to stop her while Lucas’s mom looked on with guilt.
“It’s not your fault, Sienna. If anyone is at fault, it’s me. I forgot to tell you I kept it safely away. Please don’t punish yourself for this. You’ll fall sick. Eat, for Adrian’s sake,” said Lucas. He led her back to the table.
“Just call Cara and tell her that there has been a misunderstanding. Call her and pay her. If she wants to continue, then let her,” said granny.
“She doesn’t have a phone,” said Maria quietly.
“Oh, in that case, you can go to her house and pay her double,” said granny, ending the issue. No one spoke a word after that. Marcus didn’t come back.
It was past lunchtime when he reached Hempstead Village at the address Maria had given him. It was an old house with the paint peeling off at different places. He wondered if Cara would be at home.
Even if she were, would she be too hurt and refuse to meet him? He walked in through the rusted gates of the house, but strangely, not a single noise could be heard from inside. Did anyone even live here?
Suddenly, the main door opened and an old man emerged, ready to go somewhere. He looked at him with surprise.
“Yes? How can I help you?” asked the old man.
“I’m looking for Cara Rose Sullivan. Does she live here?” asked Marcus. The old man frowned at him, checking out his expensive clothes.
“Yes, she does. I’m Joe Smithfield, the owner. Cara and her siblings stay at my house. You can speak to me,” said Mr. Smithfield, a little apprehensive about the man’s surprise visit. He had never seen him before and was afraid that Cara might be in some kind of trouble.
“Are you related to Cara? I’m Marcus Donnelly and I would like to talk to her, if you don’t mind,” said Marcus.
“I’m Cara’s landlord and soon to be their legal guardian,” said Mr. Smithfield. Marcus nodded at the old man. His wife peered outside the house to see who her husband was talking to.
“Maggie, this gentleman here wishes to talk to Cara,” said her husband. “Mr. Donnelly, this is my wife, Margaret Smithfield,” he introduced her. Marcus went forward and stretched out his hand for a shake.
“I’m Marcus Donnelly. Cara worked for me at my Southampton beach house for a few days. Then she worked at my brother’s wedding but left without her pay,” said Marcus. “I came here to give her the money and talk to her,” explained Marcus. Aunt Maggie’s eyes widened, and she shook hands with him.
“Does my sister Maria work at your grandmother’s house?” she asked, unable to believe her eyes. How could such an important and rich man come all the way to their humble home looking for Cara? Marcus nodded. He did not know that this lady was Maria’s sister.
“Please come inside, Mr. Donnelly,” she said, welcoming him into her small reception room that might have seen better days. Marcus looked around for Cara. Didn’t she live here?
“I’ll just call Cara. She and her siblings live in the backside of my house,” said Margaret Smithfield. Marcus nodded, wondering why he wasn’t being taken to her home instead. Joe Smithfield sat with him to give him company while he waited.
“Did something untoward happen to make her leave so abruptly? Cara is a very responsible girl, else Maria would never have taken her along with her,” said the old man. Marcus looked a little uncomfortable, not knowing whether to tell him the truth.
“Yes, there was a misunderstanding in my absence and when I returned, she had already left,” said Marcus at last. Margaret Smithfield rushed into the room with an agitated expression on her face.
“Cara doesn’t wish to see you, Mr, Donnelly. She’s very upset. I’m sorry about this,” said the old woman. Marcus was shocked! He hadn’t expected her to deny him at all. But he just couldn’t leave without seeing her. He had to comfort her and tell her he had cleared her name. He wanted her to at least accept the money, since she needed it.
“No, you don’t understand at all. I just want to comfort her and tell her I’ve cleared the misunderstanding at home. I want to hand over the money she had worked hard for. Please, can I see her?” asked Marcus earnestly. The old couple looked at each other and then at him. He looked genuinely concerned.
“Fine, come this way,” said Margaret Donnelly. Marcus’s heart raced with excitement as he followed her towards the backside of her house.