Clara's POVMadison flinched away from Derek.Layla walked over to where we were.In horror, she examined his wounds, turning him around to assess the extent of the damage."Derek, are you okay?" Layla exclaimed; she noticed the blood stain on his shirt."Don't worry, Mom, I'm fine," Derek answered."But you are bleeding," Layla said, her voice filled with worry.Derek sighed again. "Don't worry, it's not my blood," he answered.Layla now seemed a bit more relaxed as she sat next to me."Are you sure that you are okay?" Derek turned to me.I nodded, forcing a smile. I pressed the ice pack deeper into my skull.Derek walked away to the kitchen. He came back holding a cold glass of water, which he then handed to his mother to drink, hoping it would calm her."Please excuse me. I have to speak to the officers," Derek informed.He then moved over to where the offices were standing.Layla took a shot at the water and drank it in one gulp. Within minutes, she appeared calmer."So," Layla be
Clara's POV"I heard they hit your head hard," Layla said. She turned her attention to me. "Derek, it's your job as an employer to ensure your employees are safe and well-taken care of. I'll take her somewhere to rest." She turned to Derek."You can take her to my penthouse mother, and I'm sure she will be comfortable there." Derek offered.Madison couldn't seem more displeased. "So, I see you are already well-informed about everything that happened," Madison replied, faking a smile at Layla."Sweetheart, I'm always informed. I know everything." Layla laughed. Layla returned her attention to me as she stroked my hair. "I will put this poor girl to rest." Layla smiled.Derek pulled me aside, away from the two of them. I could feel Madison's glare on me throughout."Are you sure you are alright?" Derek asked. He took my hands into his.I responded with a nod.He sighed. "If my mother starts acting crazy or does anything you don't like, just call me, and I'll be there to save you," Derek
Clara's POVHe sighed. "It's something really strange. We still don't understand how this could have happened. A woman, a guest who was booked at the hotel, told security that she had three men here to deliver some things. They arrived here, checked into the woman's hotel room, and then changed into other clothes. It happened to be on the same floor." He paused. "We found the clothes they were wearing in the trash can. Just as the incident occurred, the woman just vanished. Now, it turns out her ID could have been fake, too. We don't know how this could have happened. The cameras didn't get that much, and the men seemed smart enough to hide their faces behind their caps. It's like they knew exactly where the cameras were. We only managed to get descriptions from the security guards. I guess when they walked out, they managed to blend in with the other guests." He explained."You think that this could have been an inside job?" Layla asked."Maybe, but the whole thing is just suspicious
Clara's POV"I told you already, I'm fine. Besides, your mother took really good care of me." I smiled.He sighed before pulling me into a hug."You know, I nearly died today after the way that guy just shoved you aside. The thought that something could have happened to you and our baby completely frightened me." He spoke. His voice almost sounded like a whisper.My eyes filled with tears as I became overwhelmed by emotion. He cared so much about me, yet I just lied to him."I'm sorry," I whispered to Derek. A tear rolled down my cheek. I tried to choke back the rest of my tears. He didn't deserve this. I knew I was apologising for all my lies."No," Derek answered as he hugged me even tighter. "I should have done my best to protect you." He spoke.I pulled away from our hug to face him. "Promise me you won't do anything like that again, that you will be more careful." I sobbed.He stroked my cheek, wiping my tears away."I promise," he answered back with a smile.He leaned in as he c
Clara's POVI texted her back, informing her I would be home, which seemed to shut her up.What was I going to tell my mom? Probably that I had an unexpected night shift to cover and that I couldn't answer my phone. If my mother ever gets to meet Derek, she will hate him.The cab drove, and I looked out at the pouring rain.In less than an hour, the cab was pulling into my neighbourhood. I sighed again, preparing myself for my lies.From a distance, our house came into view. I noticed a Range Rover parked in front of my gate.I wonder who it was. We didn't know many people, including someone with a car like that.The driver slowed down as we neared my house.Our front door opened. Mom came into sight as she smiled.A man left our house soon after as Mom waved him goodbye.Tall, dark-haired, and wearing a black tux. He matched my mom's enthusiasm as he waved her goodbye.I guess I wasn't the only one hiding secrets in my family. "You can stop right here," I informed the driver. We wer
Clara's POVKaty walked downstairs to approach us. She looked warm and snuggled up in her thick fur jacket."It's nice to know that you are working hard for this family, breaking your back and taking extra shifts just for us," Katy said sarcastically. She crossed her arms, shooting me a glare.Not even a 'good morning' or 'how was work?'"It would be best if you considered taking a different job. Things are going much better for me. Maybe you could work with me instead and help deliver the cakes." Mom suggested."I would be of no use to you in your business. I don't even have a licence. We don't even have a car." I answered. "Besides, I'd like to know who that man was who just left our house." I changed the subject. The focus was now on Mom."He is no one. Why are you so suspicious? I'm sick of you and your sister thinking you can control my life." Mom answered dismissively.She threw her hands in the air dismissively as she turned to walk to the kitchen.Katy and I weren't having it.
Clara's POVThen she tucked me under the blankets after opening my bedsheets."I'm not five anymore," I reminded her."But you are still my baby." She smiled back. "Sleep tight," she whispered.She left my room, followed by a loud bang as the door closed.I lay in bed and stared at my ceiling. I wasn't even tired, and I slept through the whole night.In my boredom, I started making sounds with my mouth, but that wasn't enough to entertain me.My phone rang on my nightstand. Yes, finally, something to do.I slipped my phone underneath the cover as I answered the call."Thank God you are alive. Your mom would have killed me if you ended up dead somewhere," Ivy said."Why did everyone think I was dead?" I asked."Because you are Saint Clara, you hardly do anything wrong. At least not before." She answered. "My mom would have loved to have had you as her child instead. She told me to leave you because I'm a bad influence." She joked.I chuckled."Anyways, I'm glad to know that you are ali
Clara's POV"Well, good thing you were born with two arms and two legs." She replied with a smile. "Besides, you have a rich boyfriend now," she added.I looked at her in astonishment."Firstly, that's his money, not mine. Secondly, I haven't even been paid yet." I continued listing my reasons.She moved in to hand me the cup, but then she backed away. "I think I'll keep it," she said, pulling the cup to her lips."Fine," she sighed. "Your boyfriend is on TV. It's your decision whether to show up or not." She stood up from my bed.She turned to leave but then stopped in her tracks."One more thing, don't be surprised if I show up at your work pretending to be an orphan. I'm sure Derek would gladly help me out." She said, She brushed her hair off her shoulder before stepping out of my room.What a drama queen.Wait, did she say Derek was on TV?Without hesitation, I pushed out of my blankets and went downstairs.Walking down, I could already hear the TV in the living room.Katy threw h
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