: Bait!MIKE She let my question linger in the air. Her eyes faltered by two blinks, and she stopped moving, stepping away from me as I retained eye contact."What child?" I asked again, refusing to give her the space that she was asking for. Lucy glared at me like my question was unbelievable, but beneath that hardened glare was a front that was cracking so hard by the edges.This was merely a hunch, and it had appeared in my mind countless times that Lucy could be faking her pregnancy. These accusations might be the most hurtful thing a person could throw around like this, but I stood by it merely from her reaction. Something was not adding up."Or do you think I don't know?" I pushed further. Throwing these questions felt like walking in muddy waters on a rainy night with no flashlight. The probability that I might be right was so slim. "When did you plan to tell me the truth?!""You're sick!" Lucy spat, finally finding her voice as she retreated backwards to the bed and sat on
Even In A Mad World, She's Insane.CLARAHere I was, trying to get myself in jail because I felt like I'd done something so wrong,g only to find out that it was all an act from the very beginning? I could feel the hair at the back of my neck stand when I started to decipher everything and remembered how it played out.How desperate was Lucy for her to have lied like this? If Mike hadn't caught up to her lie. No, if she hadn't confessed, it would have been such a messy situation for me. I stood to my feet. It was the dead of night, for fuck's sake, and I left my daughter on her cold bed. I was supposed to be by Velma's side right now!The anger I felt bubbled up to my throat, and it burned! It painted my cheeks and my ears as I fumed, waiting to storm out of the police station despite everything Beverly was saying to hold me back. I just wanted to grab Lucy by the neck and slam her head against the edge of a table a couple of times; maybe then her brain wouldn't sink closer to its o
Back Home!CLARAI heard my heart crack as I slammed against the bed and told myself. Just one more day to go. That's all that was left of this impossible dream and I woke up to reality.I'd been defying the will of the universe by dreaming a bit too hard. I clutched my pillow and dialed Agatha's number, after which I talked with Velma and they seemed to be having a lot of fun.I mean, one of us had to be. I missed her so much and I couldn't stop thinking about what Mike had said. Anyone in his shoes would have suggested the same. It was a kind of thirst that just cannot easily be ignored and I'd done worse in making those fantasies of his a reality.I was no Saint. All the walls that I'd built had finally come back to bite me in the ass. Not that they weren't there for the right reasons, but on days like this, it gets a little harder to breathe. Memories danced in my mind and the imagination of what could be if I'd just choke on all these obstacles and be normal.If I'd just deal wi
Runaway Princess.CLARAShe's gonna die, and I'd be the cause of it. The only thought that rang in my head as I held Lucy 's numb body in my hand and tried to urge her to wake up. The doctors stormed in with Beverly, approaching me as I administered first aid.I'd never been more terrified of a person's madness than I was at this moment, and it dawned on me, as if I didn't know before, that I wasn't even the obstacle between Mike and me. It had been Lucy , always had been her. My eyes were wet with tears when Mike held me up and tried to walk me out of the ward according to the doctor's command.My outfit had a new decoration attached to it. Blood red, literally. So much of it that I wondered what Lucy had left in her. My body vibrated like I would collapse at any time, and the only thing keeping me conscious was Mike 's arms around me. Beverly's speaking echoed in my ears at a distance as if she wasn't standing next to me.The shock was so difficult to process. I couldn't tell whe
Authority!MIKE I kept looking at the empty bedspace as if Lucy was going to magically materialize from it but with the look of things, she was long gone. How did this even happen? I hadn't told Clara but I knew Lucy was fine since I passed the night in my car outside the hospital.I was first to hear from the nurses that she was okay by midnight when I'd come to check but Clara and Beverly were fast asleep then. I didn't even blame her, the stress from traveling and everything else must have taken a toll on her and Lucy met her with this too. The only reason I hadn't told her when she asked was because I wanted her to see for herself that she had no reason to be worried.Heck. And now she was missing? I watched the nurses run helter skelter to the ends of the hallways as they alerted themselves that Lucy was missing and I just stood limply, feeling the stress set in again. Seriously, I thought I was over this. Clara stared in horror before she started moving around, too with Bev
Crossing T's And Dotting I's.CLARAThe ride was quiet, tense even, and my head was glued in one position, staring outside the vehicle as the houses blurred by. It seemed like Mike had been an undeniable part of my life for too long. I thought when I got home, I would be able to get him out of my air, but here I was now, in his car.I didn't know what I was supposed to say. I had been judgy and undeniably mean to him, especially about Lucy . No, about everything, and I knew why I continuously did that. I just wanted to push him away, irk him, and show him all of the ugliest parts of me so he could get sick of it and go away!That didn't seem to be happening anytime soon, and the guilt I felt was only amplified. However does one get over this? Jeez. I glanced at him from the corner of my eyes; he even looked good from the side, focused on the road. The silence was so thick that I felt it in my chest.Felt it deep inside my heart like an ice-formed dagger and it was slowly pressing in.
Incrimination.CLARAWhy was she talking to me, asking me to come like I was at her beck and call? What the hell was going on? I sucked my teeth, exhaling hard. "What are you saying? What business could we possibly have to discuss?""Come around and find out. Tomorrow by noon.""Is Lucy with you?" I asked the other question that rested on the tip of my tongue. "Is she?"The line disconnected before I could get a response. Agatha was still standing before me, looking at me with her brows pulled together. My expression was a dead-ass giveaway that I'd just received an unpleasant phone call. I didn't bother to call back, neither was I sure that this would lead to anything meaningful, but deep down I wanted to know if Lucy was with her. That way, my mind could be a bit at rest that things weren't exactly going horribly."Is there a problem, ma'am?""No," I lied. I was worried, I mean, that old hag hadn't called me in years and she randomly chose to today, right after her daughter had pu
Murder Taint.CLARAI was in trouble.Shock sneaked in like a thief in the night and I was rooted to a spot, trying to understand how this happened, why it happened, and how to take care of it. Lucy was standing directly before her mother and I was still at the top of the stairs, trying to comprehend what just happened.She wasn't moving! She didn't bulge! "Oh my god!" I opened my eyes yet it seemed like there was a veil cast over my eyes. Like I wasn't seeing clearly even though it played out right before me. My body was stiff."What did you do to her!?" Lucy screeched, falling to the floor and grabbing her mother who was unresponsive. "What did you do, Rosaline!?" She continued to yell and I didn't dare take umbrage.I couldn't feel anything was the case. The shock was getting to me, wounding into my chest and stifling my heart. I turned blue, my breathing slow and labored. She wasn't responding! Lucy must think this cavalier attitude was on purpose, or I didn't deign to say a wo
Chapter 122 :A New BeginningMike pov It’s strange how life changes in an instant. One moment, you’re proposing to the love of your life with sweaty palms and a missing ring, and the next, you’re staring at a pregnancy test that says “positive.” Clara’s still asleep next to me, her hair a mess of golden waves sprawled over the pillow, and I’m lying here trying to figure out how my life got so... perfect. Except, it’s also terrifying. “Dad, I’m hungry,” Velma’s voice cut through my thoughts. I blinked at the ceiling before turning to see her standing by my side of the bed, clutching a stuffed bunny with one hand and rubbing her eyes with the other. She looked up at me with that sleepy little pout that made me realize she wasn’t a baby anymore. She wasn’t even my “little girl” anymore. And soon, there was going to be another little one in the house. “I’ll make you something in a sec, kiddo,” I whispered, ruffling her hair. Velma narrowed her eyes at me, all suspicious-like.
Crossing T's And Dotting I's. CLARA The ride was quiet, tense even, and my head was glued in one position, staring outside the vehicle as the houses blurred by. It seemed like Mike had been an undeniable part of my life for too long. I thought when I got home, I would be able to get him out of my air, but here I was now, in his car. I didn't know what I was supposed to say. I had been judgy and undeniably mean to him, especially about Lucy . No, about everything, and I knew why I continuously did that. I just wanted to push him away, irk him, and show him all of the ugliest parts of me so he could get sick of it and go away! That didn't seem to be happening anytime soon, and the guilt I felt was only amplified. However does one get over this? Jeez. I glanced at him from the corner of my eyes; he even looked good from the side, focused on the road. The silence was so thick that I felt it in my chest. Felt it deep inside my heart like an ice-formed dagger and it was slowly pre
: Viva La Vida.THREE MONTHS LATER.MIKE "Ughh! This dude doesn't know how to give up, does he?" I rolled my eyes as I fell on the couch next to Clara and wrapped my arms around her. She was looking at her phone again, for the second time today. He just wouldn't stop sending her those pictures, would he? Clara snuggled closer, "I should just block him, right?" She joked. "Love really had made him mad. I mean, look at that smile!"I shrugged. "I mean, did you see what it did to me?" A giggle ripped out of her throat and I snatched the phone from her playfully. "Is it just me or does he look fatter here?""Claire must be doing such a wonderful job!" Clara beamed, sighing. "I'm just glad he's okay! He looks so happy!""He does." I pecked her. "But I look happier, look at me alone." Rodney had been on vacation with Claire for the past two months, so we get blessed with pictures like this every second.It was tons of Claire's pictures, literally every part of her had been sent to Clara a
Hope.CLARAMike didn't respond, and more tears trickled down his cheeks as he stared into my eyes. His eyes were red, and swollen, evidence that he had been crying for a longer time than right now. My eyes prickled at the sight of him crying, and tears began to roll down my cheeks as well.Why was he crying? And why was I crying too. I didn't know why but my heart felt heavy in my chest, and it ached terribly. His silence stung me all over like a thousand bees. Why was he answering? What had happened to our baby?"C-Mike ?" I stammered, arching a brow, "What happened to Velma?" The question barely left my lips, but again he was quiet. Almost like he couldn't speak, and I couldn't take it anymore.The silence was killing me, just as much as not knowing what had happened to my baby. Could she-No. I shook my head frantically at the thought of that. No way. I didn't even want to think about that. I couldn't bear the thought of it, and it felt like a part me died at that brief thought.
Where Is She?CLARAI knew it was stupid and I shouldn't be here alone but what else could I do?! Lucy had threatened to harm her if I told anyone. I'd rather get hurt in her place as long as nothing happens to my daughter!I parked the car and looked up ahead at the building. No one lived there and the whole thing looked like it would fall apart at any moment.My heart thumped in my chest when fear gripped me and the possibility of all the bad things that could happen flashed before my mind. I closed the car door immediately I stepped out, my hands balled into fists.I'd rather die than have anything happen to Velma! Oh, god! Oh god! Agatha, too! I desperately clung to the hope that she had nothing to do with this, and that she was safe, just as Velma was.The video replayed in my head in an unending loop and I almost burst into tears.My baby. My little girl was fucking tied to a chair. I was going to kill Lucy ! I was going to rip her to shreds the moment I set my eyes on her. I s
The Foe.CLARAI felt a knot immediately tighten in the pit of my stomach as my eyes scanned the empty room from the doorway. The bed was empty, Velma wasn't here. Velma wasn't here?It was 2 a.m. Why wasn't she in bed by this time? Panic was slowly setting in, and I could feel it claw it way up my stomach. Where was she?My eyes shot to the restroom at the corner of the room, and I felt a bit of calm wash over me. Perhaps she was in there. I swallowed the uneasiness that had crawled its way to my throat, slightly panicking as I dashed across the room to her bathroom. "Velma," I called as I knocked on the door or rather banged it but there was no answer, and I pushed it open, "Velma," I called again.The door swung open, and my heart sank as it turned out empty too. She wasn't in the restroom. My head spun around the room, and my palm was beginning to feel clammy as I released the door and it slammed shut in my face. Where the hell was she? Where could she go?My stomach tightened, a
More Trouble!CLARA I came out of Velma's room after I'd registered that she was asleep and I took Mike into mine.We barely made it past the door. My urges were all over the place and I'd clenched my thighs all through the ride. I needed him so badly.Mike managed to slam the door behind me and pushed me in, crashing his lips into mine! "I'll take care of you," he whispered between kisses. "I'm so sorry, Clara. I'm so sorry I made you doubt me."His breath was hot against my face and he nibbled kisses everywhere. I was dripping wet, unable to contain my hunger.He whispered lovingly as he placed kisses on my naked body. I hastily unbuttoned his trousers, and he pulled it off before tossing it aside."Mike ," his tongue twirled with mine as if I'm trying to taste all his secrets. "I know. And I'm sorry too," I replied, out of breath. "Please. I'm ready. I want this. I want you. I'm done fighting you. Let me feel you, please."I reached down between us and gripped his cock, a little
Misconceptions.ClaraMy eyes locked onto Alice as she stepped inside my home, and I clenched my palm into a fist, feeling the slight tremble of my hands, and body as the rage simmered inside of me. It felt like a fucking earthquake was happening inside of me, and I hated that she made me feel this way-this small.What the hell was she doing here? How dare she even show her face here after what she had done? How dare she? Anger clawed it way up my throat, and I swallowed it back down, struggling to stay in control as my gaze fixed on her.My mind raced with a mix of emotions-Anger, hurt, betrayal, each feeling fighting for dominance, but I kept my expression blank, masking my feelings. I couldn't let her know how much her presence was affecting me or how much she had hurt me. No way. I didn't want to give her the satisfaction of a reaction so I feigned calm even if I felt nothing like that.Even if I felt like I was caught in the middle of a freaking storm or hurricane. My emotions we
Loss!MIKE *THREE HOURS EARLIER*I didn't touch Alice! I didn't do anything with her so who captured these incriminating photos? My eyes burned when I looked down at the envelope once more. The weight had multiplied in my hand, like I carried the problems of the world inside that piece of paper.Fuck! Who the hell took this?Why?I was...just a step away from having my entire life together and this happens? I felt like a car running on fumes. Why was I stupid enough to think things would continue to go smoothly like they had these past few days?My heart had ripped from my chest and my hands wouldn't stop shaking no matter how I tried. I gulped hard as I tottered towards my car from Clara's building.She'd shut down and those entrances were slammed in my face. The ones I'd worked so hard to reopen. It felt like a knife was being carved into my chest and I swear, I couldn't breathe!I couldn't breathe. Who sent those photos? What did I do? If only she'd let me explain! Nothing happene