Clara's POV Derek stepped onto the stage, accepting the mic from the MC, who then walked off the stage.Everyone focused on him as he brought the mic closer to speak."Before I met Clara, my life was black and white. Till you brought so much colour and so many other things I will never forget and forever cherish." He paused. He stared at me intently from the stage.This was his reaction?I just told him the one truth that could shutter everything, and this was his reaction. Did he not care that I lied to him? Had he already known?“Clara, could you please come up to the stage?" Derek called out.I stood frozen and unable to respond. I could feel my heart beating out of my chest. Everything in me told me to walk away and run out of this venue and never return.But the crowd began closing in on me and cheered, everyone yelling my name in unison as they clapped.Before I knew it, my mother was behind me. Rubbing my shoulders, she encouraged me to walk to the stage.The crowd cheered eve
Clara's POV "Why did you do this?" I managed to ask. I looked into his cold stare. My voice must have squeaked, but I got a sentence out.His anger worsened, his cheeks turning into a brighter shade. "Let go of me," he demanded, his voice forceful. If it were possible, I would have grabbed his arm even tighter. I had avoided this conversation for a long time, but it was about time it happened.Some guests had left the hall and were now watching Derek and me as the murmurs continued. But I didn't care. I needed an explanation from him, and I would get it. Maybe he'd finally hear mine, too.Derek pulled his arm away from mine forcibly. I thought he'd walk away, but he didn't. Instead, he grabbed hold of mine and pulled me away towards a door I hadn't noticed had been there earlier. It blended in perfectly with the wallpaper.We stepped into the room. It looked like a study, with a desk and bookshelves. I didn't bother taking in the rest of the room.He let go of my arm as I stood behin
Clara's POV "I didn't mean for things to end up this way, and I wanted to tell you. If you already knew, what else did you expect from me?" I answered, my voice low and in a whisper."That you'd at least have an ounce of decency to say it to my face. That's the least you could have done, right?" He answered. "I realised something. It's not that you are just a coward, but you would happily continue lying to my face." He paused. "I don't even know if anything about you was ever real, every moment we spent together. I now realise it was all just a part of your act." He added.I didn't know if his words hurt because they were coming from him or if it was that there was a small chance that what he said about me may have been true.I shook my head. The tears somehow found their way back to my eyes.It hurt me more knowing that this was what he thought of me. By then, I could only stare at my feet on the ground. He was right; I was a coward, and I shouldn't have done this. If I could turn b
Derek's POVI rushed out of the building and went straight to my car. I couldn't stand to be around here anymore.This place was far too small to contain Clara and me. Despite seeing Vincent behind me, I walked faster and hopped into my car. I knew exactly what he would say with that judgemental look he had.I don't know why I felt this way. I thought I'd feel much better after this, that I'd feel liberated and be able to smile again. Instead, I felt sick to my stomach. I tried to assure myself that this feeling would soon pass.I drove to my country house right outside town. It was the only place I'd be able to be alone for a while, and that's what I needed. It took me nearly two hours to arrive.The house was silent, as expected. The house staff only came here twice a week, which was mostly empty. I haven't been here in a while, mostly because I'm out of the city most of the time, and it's inconvenient to travel here from work.I took my jacket off, placing it on the floor. I tried
Derek POV I tried to convince myself I wasn't doing it for her but to get one less psychopath off the streets."They found the guy," Luke paused again. "He was found badly beaten, and he is in critical condition." He explained.I took a long sigh. If that guy dies, we may never know why he did it or if someone else was behind it. But who would want to kill Clara? Maybe she pissed off an old boyfriend."Let me know if there's anything else I need to know," I replied. "Can you do me another favour?" I paused. "I did something stupid. I'm going to need you to have many pictures and videos deleted," I asked. I proceeded to explain the rest in detail. I wouldn't have any of those pictures and videos spread around that the guests took. I didn't care what he had to do to ensure that. My conscience wouldn't let me live.I was never going to have the photographers publish any of those photos. I just wanted her to feel the pain I did. But the damage I caused was far deeper than that. I wouldn'
Clara's POV I placed my hand over my mouth in shock as Ivy walked over to me and hugged me."I can't believe you guys did all this," I said, almost in tears."I know that technically, it isn't your birthday today, but since the last one didn't go too well, we thought we might celebrate it today," Ivy said, holding me tighter."If you are going to cry, we are all going to start crying, too," Ivy said, rubbing my back."You should make a wish." Mom approached me with the cake. I blew out the candles. I wished for more happy days just like this one. "You are going to have so much fun. We can have a sleepover and dance all night, and we are all going to get drunk." Ivy cheered. "Except for Katherine, she is still underage." She added slowly."Mom is going to get drunk?" I chuckled in disbelief.It was surprising enough that she got drunk with Layla. I never imagined her doing it again."I wasn't always boring, you know. How do you think I had two babies?" Mom asked nonchalantly. I can a
Clara's POV"You are dating Marcus, my old boss?" I said in disbelief. "That's who you were hiding?" I asked, amazed.Ivy's face went pale as she tucked her phone into her pocket. "It's a different Marcus." She replied dismissively."Didn't you say I knew him? I had no idea you had an eye on our boss this whole time." I answered."Fine," she sighed. "We've been going out for some weeks now." She admitted.Now that she had confirmed it, I couldn't help but wonder how that could have happened.Why Marcus? All I could think about was that he was the person who gave me all the grumpy customers just because I was good at my job. He was the reason I first encountered Maddison. If not for him, maybe I would have never crossed paths with Derek.How did that happen? Wasn't he on the verge of firing her?"You can't judge me right now, and you weren't straight for the big boss." She said, dragging me out of my thoughts."If anything, I should be used as a case study of why you should not date so
Clara's POV This would probably be a problem, especially when Mom and Ivy woke up. I decided to make a trip to the drugstore. I left a note on our kitchen counter saying I'd be gone for a while. I might as well grab a coffee and use the time alone to reflect.I wore my hoodie over my head as I left the house.I hadn't almost forgotten just how relaxing walking can be at times. It can help to relieve you of anxiety and all your negative thoughts. I was lost in a daydream as I continued walking. Exactly why I hadn't expected it when a hand grabbed my arm and pulled me into a corner of the street. There was a hand placed over my mouth as I used all my strength to try and fight back.I was about to get kidnapped! My mind yelled in panic."Please don't shout," a voice said.Wait, I knew who that was.What was Waylen doing here? My mind registered.My body relaxed for a moment as Waylen's grip on me loosened. I pushed him back, and he fell on the tar."What is wrong with you?" I yelled, st
Derek POV The things he is willing to do make me sick to my stomach, and I'm finally done. He deserves everything coming to him. I was glad that the trial with Maddison's mother went smoothly. Turns out, there is nothing Maddison loves more than her reputation and money, and for that, she is willing to let her mother rot and make herself the victim.I was finally done with the cooking and dished our food in the dining room.I slipped my hand into my pocket, ensuring the ring was safely secured.Clara voiced her approval. I'd made a Pad Thai dish for her, knowing it was her favourite. I finally influenced her. "If my mom calls, please tell her I'm not pregnant." She stated this in the middle of her dinner.I nearly choked on my food as my eyes widened."Are you pregnant?" I questioned, puzzled. "Of course yes. She came over the other day and found a pregnancy test in my bathroom." She explained."Oh," I noted, amazed. "That explains why she's been texting me a lot more often." I am
Derek’s POVI must have looked at my watch about five times in the same minute. Why was I nervous? I've made far more risky decisions, and none have ever made my heart beat this fast. The house had already been set, our dinner table was perfect, and the garden was just as I had instructed. Clara would be arriving any moment from now, and I was almost done cooking. Everything was perfect, so why was I this nervous?I wiped the sweat off my brow. Vincent was right; my idea was stupid. What was I thinking about planning a proposal here? Surely, I could have thought of a better idea.I needed to calm down. Hopefully, she had another busy night, and she wouldn't show up.Maybe I should turn off my lights and pretend I wasn't home. But she'd walk in. That's what I get for giving her an extra key.Since we've both been tied up with work, we have dinner almost every evening. It made sense that we'd both have the keys to each other's apartments after she moved out of her mother's.I needed to
Derek POV About a month ago, my mother decided that the best way to end her obsession was to start a new one. She went and got herself a replacement kid. I don't know who in their right mind decided that it was okay for her to adopt a ten-year-old kid. I'd be fine with all this, except the kid hates me. I've done nothing wrong to him. Maybe I'm a bit biassed, but it only took one visit to know there was no longer any space for me in that house."You should be happy about this," Vincent laughed. "Your mother will finally get to fix all the mistakes she made with you. It happened to me, too." He laughed.The secretary walked in to announce that an old friend of ours, Dexter, had arrived. We were working on a new business venture, and we had been waiting for him to start our meeting officially.Dexter walked into my office as laid back as usual. He had barely changed much since I'd last met him. He had a few classes in college together.We exchanged greetings as Dexter settled himself i
Derek's POVSOME MONTH LATERI swivelled in my chair, fiddling with my pen as I tried to develop ideas. When I needed my brain the most, I couldn't think of anything. I've never felt this anxious about anything before."Are you certain that's a good idea?" I inquired of Vincent, who sat across from me.He had visited my office to discuss our new business deal. We just happened to have moved on to the next item on the agenda.He looked at me in disbelief, as if there was only one obvious answer. "Yes, which woman wouldn't want you to take her to Paris and propose to her in front of the Eiffel Tower?" He answered sarcastically. He threw his hands in the air in disbelief.As incredible as his idea sounded, that didn't sound like something Clara would want. She wasn't that sort of girl.I leaned into my chair and stared at the ceiling. I always thought the proposal would be the hardest part, but I guess so was how to propose."If you think that is too cliché, you can go on a private islan
Clara's POV I leaned on the door and peeked through to stare at Derek's motionless body. My eyes were quickly whelmed in tears. I never wanted things to end this way.Without thinking, I pushed open the door and walked in.I collapsed into his chest, held onto him tightly, and sobbed."Please wake up and get back to me; I'll do anything. I love you." I whispered. I held onto him even tighter.I wish I'd said this when he wasn't fighting for his life. There were so many things I would have loved to have done differently, but now I can't take any of it back.I suddenly froze as I felt a hand patting my head.I looked up.I blinked at Derek, who was staring back at me. For the first time, I saw clearly. Derek wasn't covered in bandages or had wounds all over his face, as I expected."It's okay, I'm alright." He answered.I wiped away the tears, my vision becoming clearer. "You are not hurt?" I asked, finally realising what had happened."No, but I will be if you continue squeezing me li
Clara's POVDAYS LATERIt took a few days before the doctors could clear me out and send me home. I was being discharged today, and I had decided it would be the start of my new life.Derek hasn't come over as much, at least not to see me. It meant he was starting to get it. This way, we'd both be able to move on eventually.I was packing the few items Mom had brought to make me more comfortable when I heard a knock on my door. Layla peeked through the door before walking in.She has been responsible for ensuring a fresh batch of flowers in my room every day. She visited me a few times. I was glad she never pushed anything between Derek and me. Without me explaining, she said she understood.Today, there was something different about her. She didn't look like she was dressed for the runway, nor did she carry around her fancy handbag. She was wearing flat shoes. I noticed her eyes were red."I'm so sorry I haven't visited you much in the last few days. How are you, sweetheart?" she ask
Clara’s POV I was relieved when the nurse announced I'd have a visitor until I saw who it was.The sound of the walking stick should have been enough to know who it was. I could have used the time to pretend I was dead or, better still, leave the room,m but I was foolishly hopeful.Derek's grandfather walked into my room with his usual sinister look and a mightier-than-thou attitude.He looked over at me and smirked. "You don't look too bad. I guess everyone exaggerated how bad you were." He commented. If my hand weren't connected to an IV, I'd be the one leaving this room. He was here for a peace offering."Why are you here?" I asked."Don't worry," he replied, raising his hand. "I won't be here for too long. I wanted to be here in person to ensure my message was clear. I hope you liked my flowers." He smiled. "It's funny how I've tried to make sure you and I don't end up as a family, yet here we are." He chuckled. "You've cost me a lot lately, you and all your recent drama." He pau
Clara's POV I understood him, too. I made many bad decisions that I thought were good at the time, and he reacted that way because of it. I should have never done any of what I did, either. I know and understand that lies can never be good.But I wish things were different."You should leave," I finally replied. My mouth became dry, perhaps because I knew I was about to tell one final lie."Of course, you need some rest. I'll see you in the morning." He concluded. He smiled weakly and leaned in to kiss me on my forehead."You shouldn't come back," I added as he pulled away.He stared at me with confusion, but he dismissed whatever he was thinking as his face lightened up. "Of course, I'll be here," he answered.I shook my head at him. "You shouldn't come back to see me, not today or ever. We should end this. Everything that did or didn't happen, all of it." I explained."You should get some rest. We are not thinking right now; so many things have already happened on the same day," he
Clara's POVI woke up to a beeping sound and bright lights around me.All the anxiety rushed in. It took me a while to calm down and realise I was no longer tied up there. I was safe. I still couldn't close my eyes and not reimagine everything. I wish I could forget everything. About a month ago, I never imagined my life would turn out this way.The sedatives were wearing off when my family came rushing into my room.Mom and Katy were the first to strangle me with their hugs and kisses. Soon enough, my room was covered in flowers and soon balloons got well.It was a relief to see everyone again. I thought I never would.We spoke for hours and even cried. You never know how to appreciate these small moments until they can be taken away.I was glad to hear that the woman had finally been arrested. I hope she is locked away somewhere she can never hurt anyone again. Although everything seemed to settle, I couldn't help but think the real storm would soon follow.A nurse stopped by multip