Clara's POV She paused, staring at the perfume label a bit more closely. I would have assumed that she had spotted it was a fake, but what she said was a lot worse."It says here it's a sample," she pointed at the label on the side of the perfume as she shot daggers at him.I nearly laughed, walking to the kitchen to clean up the counter. Even from there, it was still very easy to listen in on their conversation."Of all your money, you must be so cheap." She yelled.He sighed. "Babe, my wife keeps track of every cent in my bank account. Besides, the samples are always much better than anything you can buy." He tried to justify himself."So, when are you finally planning to leave your wife? You've been making excuses for months." She yelled next.He was a lot more shameless than I could have thought. He was the type that if his wife walked in, he would cower and pretend it had all been a setup.I rushed through the rest of my work. I wanted to be out of here before knives started bei
Clara's POV I chose that option, running out of the suite and not looking back despite his calls.Luckily, the elevator arrived just in time. I pressed the button for the ground floor and stood at the far end of the elevator. I was just too confused about everything. Nothing made sense to me right now. I would have stayed to find out, but the thought of possibly getting murdered outweighed my curiosity.The elevator stopped two floors down. I tried to mask my emotions. I didn't want anyone who walked in to think I was some psychopath.Much to my surprise, it was Ivy who walked in.At first, she hadn't seen me. She looked tired, her eyes fixed on the floor as she dragged her feet.“Clara," Ivy exclaimed, looking up.I didn't answer, and I didn't know how not with the many thoughts running through my mind. Ivy quickly picked up on this as she stepped closer to me.The elevator doors closed again."Are you okay?" she asked."Can you please tell Marcus I'm sick and must go home urgently?
Clara's POVI felt more confused than I had ever when I left the hotel. Not to mention the anger that was building up inside me. The feeling of being lied to was overwhelming. I didn't know what to believe in anymore. So many things didn't make sense to me. Why would it make sense when suddenly thrown in my face?I would have expected anything but this."We have an uncle?" Katy asked, trying to make sense of the situation. She, too, was just as confused about the whole thing, even more so than me, because at least I had had some forewarning."Yes," Leonardo confirmed hesitantly.My mother's expression remained unchanged, maintaining her calm and probably giving us a chance to process. Maybe she was just very good at hiding her emotions."How come we are poor?" Katy asked, her eyes widening.I thought this would be one of the few moments she takes things seriously, but apparently, it wasn't."It's just some complicated family history, things you wouldn't understand." Mom sighed.Has sh
Clara's POV "It's not every day that you discover that you may have an uncle. The worst part is that I'm unsure if I believe you." I answered bitterly."He's my half-brother on my father's side." She clarified softly, relaxing her arms. "I was alone and scared for a very long time. My family had cut all ties with me. I had no support whatsoever. I had no idea about babies or even how to work since I never had. I had to work and look after you. My past is something that hurts me. I didn't ever want anything from my past life to get to you. That's why I never told you." she rumbled.Was that supposed to be a valid reason for lying to your children?"And your supposed half-brother abandoned you too?" I asked."He was younger than me and also a child at the time. It was not his responsibility to do anything for me." She answered."When will you tell me who my father is?" I asked.Now that I had gotten to know a little bit, I wanted to know everything. Before, I would have just settled fo
Clara's POV"What can I get you, Miss?" the bartender asked."Something really strong that would help me forget all about my problems," I answered."I'm sorry, she doesn't get out much. We'll get two vodkas." Ivy interrupted.The bartender nodded and then carried out our orders."Are you sure you don't want to go to a place a bit quieter with preferably less sweaty people?" Ivy asked."This is right where I'm meant to be," I answered assertively.The bartender slammed our two drinks on the counter, two tiny glasses.I was surprised that that was it. I expected a lot more.Maybe I should go out a lot more often.I took a shot of the strong liquor, the fluid running down my throat.With alcohol tasting this horrible, how was it ever supposed to help anyone feel better?"I want a whole bottle," I said, slamming the glass down.Ivy looked at me, concerned, as the bartender nodded at my request.We started drinking, both of us taking turns taking our shots as I continued to elaborate on my
Clara's POV I sighed. "I feel like I've been deceived my entire life, and I don't ever want to do that to anyone else or for them to feel how I feel now. It hurts. I hope he will forgive me. It's the right decision for me to make." I answered. Maybe I wasn't so drunk after all; a part of my brain was still working.Ivy shook her head in disapproval of my newly found moral compass."I think I'm going to move out. Leave and go to a very faraway place where no one knows me so that I can escape all of my problems." I deducted next. I raised my glass to take my final shot."You should put that glass down. Do you want me to phone Derek and tell him that his baby mama is an alcoholic?" she asked."I won't be anymore in less than twenty-four hours," I answered.I'll be jobless and probably ruined.I couldn't help but laugh at my misery. Doing the right thing was not going to be easy.Loud cheers were erupting from the far end of the bar. I couldn't help but look.Surprisingly, the star of th
Derek POV Maybe I should make the announcement already and leave."Well..." I said, grabbing both of their attention. "I have someone I'd like the two of you to meet," I announced.They were both quiet, just staring at me like some lunatic. I thought they'd be happy about it, maybe not too happy since the last time I brought someone, it was Madison."You mean an actual woman can stand to be around you? That hopefully isn't a mad person?" Mom laughed.I couldn't answer that without saying something that would possibly land me in the hospital."Maybe you might get the grandchild that you so desperately want." I hinted at it.Mom continued staring at me as if I'd lost my mind."You don't have to try and get my hopes up, and I already know that you've insisted on not giving me any grandchildren." She answered.I wonder where the change in attitude came from. Not long ago, she was ready to pair me up with almost anyone so I'd have a child."We should be happy about this," Dad said. Finall
Derek POV “Derek, what would you think about a wedding in the summer?" Mom asked.I nearly choked on my food. I don't know why my mother continues to surprise me. These are all things I'd expect her to do.From everything, at least now I knew she planned to get rid of Madison and find me a wife. She was trying to get her way again."Didn't you and Dad have three weddings? Why would you want another one?" I asked.Mom stared at me murderously.I sighed. "I think I'll excuse myself. I'm already full, and I'd like to get some fresh air," I said, pushing out of my chair."Oh, why don't you take Susanna along with you? Take a stroll in the garden. The evening is quite lovely. I'm sure the two of you will have some fun together." Mom smiled.Susanna stared at me pleadingly; I figured the poor girl hoped to escape this madhouse. This wasn't her fault."Okay," I answered hesitantly. "But I prefer to have my walks in silence."Susanna nodded gratefully as she rose from her chair.We set off f