Derek’s POVClara settled on the couch. I sat beside her, trying to appear as calm as possible."Before I say anything, I want you to know that I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I didn't know about it until much later." He whined."You should start talking," I demanded. Clara gave him a cold stare; he rubbed the back of his head, letting out a deep sigh."This whole thing began shortly after I last met you, Clara in, at the park that day. I was in a dark place. I was addicted to alcohol, and I couldn't get myself to admit it or even how it was destroying me. I started hanging around dangerous people, and I became hooked on far more dangerous addictions. I didn't see it back then. It only numbed the pain for a little while, and then I'd start all over again. I even did a few bad jobs with them. At that moment, they became my new family." He paused. He sighed again. It Wasn't until I met an old friend from college that I decided to change my life. He helped me through all of my
Derek POV Clara would have been spared from whatever it was that happened next. It was my fault."She decided to speed things up. She didn't want to risk anyone else finding out about Clara. She wanted to get rid of her. I did my best to try and stop her, but she was too determined. When I gave her the idea to inject her instead, I replaced one of the drugs with a sedative so that she would appear dead if anything went wrong. She wanted her buried in some shallow ground almost immediately. That way, her family would find her, lose all hope, and wouldn't search for her." He explained. "I rescued her as soon as I could. I hadn't meant for things to get this far. I only wanted to find Clara's location and then hand in all the evidence of the recordings I had gathered."I couldn't believe this guy's nerves, trying to make himself sound like the hero. He should have told someone. I could have found her a lot sooner before any of this had happened. It was no wonder Clara was traumatised."
Derek POV I was still processing that she had betrayed me, but I hadn't had to throw it away or burn it like I'd said.I swallowed a hard lump as I read the letter. Suddenly, it was clear of all the times she had tried to talk to me. She wasn't who I accused her to be, and it's all because I didn't listen. I wish I could take back all my words, mostly my actions.If I had tried to listen, we could have been spared from so much more. I would ensure I spent the rest of my life making it up to her. I had been such a fool about everything.I shoved the letter back into the drawer at the sound of my phone vibrating. I looked at my phone to see several texts from Katy. She was still worried about Clara. I felt terrible not letting her know that her sister was safe, but for now, this was for the best.I walked into the kitchen to prepare food for Clara. She'd certainly be hungry when she woke up. I wasn't sure how long it had been since she ate. With what I had in the fridge, I salvaged a f
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
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 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 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 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