Chapter two

CLARA POV

I'm packing my stuff in my office when Irene comes in. She's my friend at work. We're not super close, but we look out for each other.

"What's wrong, Clara? Where are you going?" Irene asks. She looks worried.

I don't know how to tell her. How do I say my husband, who's also our boss, divorced me and fired me? And I'm pregnant with his baby? It's too much.

Tears fill my eyes. "I got fired," I say. I pick up a brown box with my things.

Irene's eyes go wide. "Are you serious? There must be some mistake. You're joking, right?"

I look at her and sigh. "Do I look like I'm joking? You see me packing, don't you?"

"But why? You're one of the best workers here. They can't just fire you like that," Irene says. She sounds so confused. I am too.

"You didn't do anything wrong, did you Clara?" she asks.

I can't hold it in anymore. I start crying. I put the box down and sob.

"Clara," Irene says softly. She rubs my back while I cry.

"I don't know, Irene. I don't know what I did wrong," I say between sobs.

Someone knocks on the door. Two security guards come in.

"We're here to make sure Miss Clara has packed her things," one of them says.

I laugh, but it's not a happy laugh.

"Can't you see she's packing? Give her a minute," Irene tells them.

"She has to leave now. Boss's orders," the other guard says.

"What?" Irene sounds shocked.

I wipe my tears. "It's okay. I'm going," I tell the guards. I pick up my box and walk out.

Mike must really want me gone, I think as I leave the building.

I drive home. When I get there, I see something that makes my heart stop.

All my stuff is on the ground outside. And there's Lucy, my half-sister, telling some men to throw more of my things out.

"What are you doing?" I yell. My heart is beating so fast.

Lucy turns to look at me. She's smiling, but not in a nice way.

"Oh, hello dear sister," she says. "A little greeting wouldn't hurt, would it?"

I'm so angry. "Answer my question, Lucy. Why are you here?"

She shrugs. "I'm just cleaning up. Your services aren't needed anymore."

I laugh, but I'm not happy. "This is my home! You can't throw me out of my husband's house!"

"Husband?" Lucy laughs. "We both know Mike was never really yours. He's mine. He loves me. If he has to choose, he'll pick me. Every time."

I want to slap her so bad.

"He still loves you after everything you did to him and me?" I say through gritted teeth.

Lucy smiles. It's an evil smile. "Too bad. Pack your things and leave. Don't even think about going home. No one wants you there."

She turns to go inside. I'm not done with her. I follow her and grab her hair.

"I'm not done talking to you!" I yell.

SLAP!

She hits me. I'm shocked for a second. Then I hit her back, hard.

Lucy stumbles back. She looks surprised. "Did you just slap me?"

"I'll do it again if I have to," I tell her.

She comes closer. She looks so angry. "How dare you touch me with your dirty hands?"

"What are you going to do about it?" I ask.

Lucy laughs. "You've got guts now, huh?"

"You're evil. I'll never forgive you," I say. I'm trying not to cry.

"Oh honey, I don't care if you hate me," Lucy says. "I have Mike's love. I have everyone's love. You have nothing."

I feel so weak. But I can't let her win.

"If Mike loves you so much, why did you trick him? Why did you drug me three years ago?" I ask.

Lucy doesn't answer. She just smirks and walks up the stairs. I follow her.

"You don't know what you're doing," I say. I'm thinking about my baby. What will happen to us?

"Would you just go away?" Lucy turns and pushes me.

I almost fall, but I grab the rail. I feel a pain in my stomach.

"My baby," I whisper. I touch my belly.

"What?" Lucy looks at me. Her eyes go wide. "You're pregnant?"

I just glare at her.

"Answer me!" she yells. "You're pregnant with his baby, aren't you?"

"Why should I tell you anything?" I say.

I start to walk down the stairs. Suddenly, I feel hands on my back. Lucy pushes me hard.

I fall down the stairs. When I hit the floor, I feel a horrible pain.

"I'm leaving. You better be gone when I get back," Lucy says. She walks past me like nothing happened.

The pain in my stomach gets worse. I look down and see blood. A lot of blood.

No, not my baby. Please, not my baby.

I'm crying and scared. I take out my phone with shaking hands. Who can I call? I don't have many friends. My family doesn't like me.

I call Mike. He's my baby's father. He'll help, right?

The phone rings and rings. He doesn't answer.

"Please, Mike. Please pick up. I need you," I cry.

I try again and again. Nothing.

Mike, how can you be so mean? I think.

I'm getting weaker. There's so much blood.

I have to save my baby.

"Someone help! Please!" I yell as loud as I can.

Where are all the workers?

I look at my phone. I can barely see now. "Mike, please. I can't do this alone," I say. I'm choking on my tears.

No one answers.

I try Mike's number one last time.

"Mike, I love you, please..." I can barely talk now. My voice is so quiet and weak.

Everything is getting dark. I feel so heavy.

The last thing I think before I pass out is: Why doesn't anyone want me?