Chapter 60

Clara's POV

I automatically performed the first thing that sprang to mind.

I embraced Ivy as I turned to face Derek. I had to keep her from him.

Ivy withdrew and exclaimed, "What are you doing? You're going to mess up your hair."

I gave her an even closer embrace. I said to her in a whisper, "Derek is coming."

Ivy hesitated, caught off guard, too.

Derek was drawing nearer yet.

"You poor thing, don't worry. Everything will be alright," I said loudly while rubbing Ivy.

"Thank you," Ivy said.

She withdrew from the embrace without saying anything else. To keep Derek from seeing her, she acted like she was crying, keeping her head down. Her face was hidden behind her hands.

I lied when Derek approached me and said, "Her boyfriend just broke up with her."

I suppose that these days, I tell lies with ease.

Derek stopped and tried to figure out whether he could recognize Ivy by looking at her back.

"We ought to depart," I tugged at his sleeves.

He turned to face me, whispering, "You look very