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's POVI've been reading through one page in the last hour, and I haven't been able to process a single thing. Whenever I try to read a few words, my mind drifts away.It's been three days since everything happened with Clara, but my mind replayed everything. I was in my office and back in my suite at the hotel. This made it easier to be at all the other places I needed to be on time.I hate being back here, though. I think about the time Clara brought me coffee in my office, the time we'd spent talking in the living room, or even the vague memory of how I'd first met her in my bathroom. It's unbelievable to think that I had forgotten everything that happened that night.Vincent was right, and it was my conscience I was left to answer.Maybe she didn't deserve what I did, but I didn't deserve to be lied to, either.Lately, I've been avoiding my whole family. From my grandfather, who finally saw me as having' business partner potential,’ to my parents, who wouldn't stop calling m
Derek POV The texts were mostly about an anxious Katy asking her where she was or when she would return. The replies from Clara were mostly the same, reassuring as she texted that she would be back soon and that everything was alright. I didn't know what Katy was so worried about."She never sends a text without a full stop at the end," Katy pointed out. With the back of her hand, she wiped the tears off her cheeks. "And here..." She pointed again. "She texted O-K, Clara would never do that. She always writes it out in full as Okay. This is not her. Someone else has been using her phone." She concluded.I placed the phone on my desk. Her reasoning was absurd, but I was not about to say that to an emotional teenage girl deeply worried about her sister."Did you try calling her?" I asked instead."Just once, but she sounded very strange. We only spoke for about ten seconds before she cut us off. Something is wrong." She continued.I didn't know what to make of all of this. For all I kn
Derek’s POVThroughout the car ride, I considered turning around several times.Sure, I wanted to find Clara and ensure she was okay, but was this worth it?Either way, I had to get over myself. There was a family who was worried about their daughter.I pulled into my parent's driveway. Three days ago, I never imagined that I'd step back into their house, especially without a gun over my head.I considered turning back, but if there were someone who had something to do with this, it would be my mother. She was manipulative enough to do it. She has done things equally twisted before, so she is capable. As for the reason, I have yet to find out. I wondered if she did it because she wanted my attention.I stepped into the house. A few maids welcomed me in, who looked surprised to see me. I followed my father's voice, which led me to the living room."You should give him a break and some time to process everything. We can't keep getting new phones to call him," Dad said.Dad was seated on
Derek POV "I tried to tell him that, but he said he trusted you more. He would like you to do it as soon as possible. He mentioned something about a potential buyer being on the line." He continued."Can't you just tell him I'm busy?" I replied as I scratched the back of my head.My grandfather and his problems are the last thing I want to deal with right now."He's just going to keep calling if you don't. I'm sure it won't take long. Might as well get it over and done with." Luke insisted."Fine," I sighed. "I'll be there in half an hour. Tell him to send the location." I answered."Sure thing," he answered. "And also, about the DeLuca contract, you still need to sign it. They want things prepared as soon as possible," he added."Why don't I meet you at the site so I can sign it there?" I suggested."I'll be there," he answered.We then ended our call.I returned to the living room to see my parents still looking worried."I'd love to stay here and argue with you guys, but I have to
Derek POV I wonder why he suddenly stopped the project when they were so close to finishing. Some bricks and cement had also been left here. If it weren't so remote, homeless people would probably camp here."I don't know what he sees in this place," I muttered, looking around the area. It wasn't bad, but I expected more from him.I was beyond surprised to see a woman descending the stairs. She moved closer to the wall, probably to keep herself from falling. I wonder what she was doing up there.I looked closer, realising it was Maddison's mom. What was she doing here?She also noticed us as she stared at us with her eyes widening. The black clothes she wore and the sour look on her face made her look like she was going to a funeral.“Derek? What are you doing here?" she asked."I should ask you the same thing," I replied, putting my hands into my pockets.I guess that explains who the third car belongs to.Maddison was a snake. She probably got it from her mother, which meant I coul
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