Clara’s POV“Mommy?”Our chat got cut short when my daughter came over to us. I got up right away. I pushed aside all my thoughts about James and walked over to my daughter, wrapping her in a warm hug for a moment.“Did you just get up? Feeling like grabbing a bite?""I've been awake for a while." She said, there was a slight concern on her face.Layla seems a little frightened. I shot a quick look at Lily, raising an eyebrow in curiosity. What’s going on? Did James meet Layla? Is that why she looked so scared?"Really?""Yes. I was too scared to step out of my bedroom since I could hear a commotion happening outside." Layla said. "It sounded like there was a fight going on, and I also heard you shouting, Mommy. Are you fighting with someone?"I think it was when I shared my frustration with James earlier. I smiled, aiming to offer her a comforting expression. She shouldn't stress about what just occurred because I won't allow this issue to affect her."Mommy didn't put up a fight. I
Clara's POVAs I walked back into the apartment, I caught the sound of waves of laughter coming from the TV room. I recognize one of them is Lily's voice. And It got me thinking about who she was chatting with. Is it possible that it's the nurse?Every day when the nurse arrives, Lily puts on a poker face and acts all stiff. She wasn't fond of being examined, and she directed her frustration at the nurse. I walked into the living room and noticed she was with a woman I didn't recognize. They're sharing a laugh. When Lily's gaze landed on me, she paused and stood up. "Oh, my cousin is back!" Lily exclaimed.Seeing the stranger in our apartment, my daughter rushed into her room, she is not used to having other people here. I placed the groceries on the table and walked over to them. "Clara, I'm sorry for not letting you know beforehand that I would have guests over today. I hope you're not upset" Lily said to me.Her friends get to her feet. She's a gorgeous woman, probably about our
Clara's POV"I feel like there's something off about your friend Lily." After Krystal left, I finally spoke up about what was bothering me, and now it was just me and Lily together.Don't get me wrong, it's not I don't want her to think that I don't like her. She seems like a decent woman, nothing about her indicates she's a criminal or anything like that. But something about her is just suspicious, I know you must have had that feeling sometime. Something feels off, but you just can't put your finger on it."I don't know why but she gives me an uneasy feeling," I said, giving an apologetic smile. I honestly feel bad to say this. But Lily doesn't stop asking me what's wrong since Krystal left and I suppose she also notices my anxiety.“Did she say something that upset you while I wasn’t paying attention?” Lily is asking me. Her expression was strict and grave. "No! No!" I said right away.I absolutely don't want my relationship with Krystal to become strained just because of this u
Clara's POVI didn't want to spoil the vibe, so I set aside any doubts I had about Krystal and went along with the plan for dinner together. Maybe Lily was onto something; perhaps I was just having negative thoughts. Now, as we go out together with my daughter, Krystal is always trying to brighten the mood. Krystal's inviting and cheerful personality is why my daughter said yes when I asked her out tonight."Here is good but I like New York better since all of my friends are here," Layla said. Krystal started the light chat with my daughter joked about several things and shared some laughs about various topics. "New York, it's a dream for everyone else including me. Once my career is stable enough I think I'd like to live there." Krystal said."Can we be a neighbor when you move there?" Layla asked and it made me can't help but smile.Yet there was a realization tugged on me hearing that; in our apartment neighborhood, there are very few children her age, almost none. I didn't reali
Clara's POVIs this the reason why Keith refused when I wanted to meet him? Because his family has arranged for him to meet that woman tonight? I couldn't quite find who the woman was, I'm sure I'd never seen her before. But the way his family reacted to her, made it clear she held a special significance to his family.I dropped my gaze, feeling a strange burning sensation in my chest from the sudden realization. I just clenched my hand when there was nothing more I could do to express it."Hey Clara, you alright?" I heard Krystal's voice just as she came up behind me.I couldn't look at the view before me any longer, so I turned around and left.I hurried to the bathroom, not wanting Lily or Layla to catch a glimpse of how I was feeling. When I got there, I tried to focus on calming my heartbeat.Why do I feel this way? I can't help but wonder. Am I feeling down because Keith lied to me, or is it because him having dinner with that woman? And not just an ordinary dinner. His family
Clara's POVKrystal reached the room with all the Morgan family members gathered before I could stop her. The event came to a sudden halt as we got into the room. They frowned, their displeasure evident as they fixed their gaze on us, the uninvited guests. "Who are you?" Iris Morgan inquired, a frown creasing her forehead. When her gaze finally landed on me standing behind Krystal, her lips pressed together.She didn't ask any more questions, as if she could already guess who Krystal was just because I was here. The moment Keith's Keith looked my way, I noticed his lips moving as he seemed to say something, but I couldn't catch what it was from my spot."I'm sorry for interrupting the event, but I just have to share something with all of you," Krystal said without any hesitation."First of all, who are you?" It was James who answered her while the other family members appeared to still be too puzzled by Krystal unexpected appearance. James glanced at Krystal for a moment before his
Clara's POVZoe rushed into the room, darting over to Krystal in an instant, her hand reaching out to slap Krystal's cheeks. The sound when Zoe’s hand met Krystal’s face echoed so loudly. Krystal staggered back, she brought her hand to the side of her face where Zoe hit her. I could see she was trying to hide her pain, yet her gaze on Zoe remained unwavering."Please don't listen to what this woman said. She's been jealous of me forever she'll do and say anything to drag me down." Zoe said to no one in particular, her gaze swept across the room. She put a fake sad expression on her face even though there were tears in the corner of her eyes now.I didn't notice those tears at all earlier in the bathroom."Calm down Zoe. We won't believe her." Iris Morgan walked over to her daughter-in-law, gently resting her hand on Zoe's shoulder as she spoke. "We have full trust in you. We won't take the claims of this woman seriously, especially since she has no evidence to prove her silly claim of
Clara's POVWhen I stay silent, Zoe used the moment to speak right away."What do you expect her to say, James? Of course, she doesn't have any answer because what Krystal said is not true. I'm sure they have been working together, they have planned my downfall for a long time.""Yes, Zoe is right. I also don't believe your wife paid someone to do that disgusting job." Iris Morgan said to his son.James didn't respond to any of them; he was just waiting for me to say something. What would he even do if I told him the truth? Is he going to laugh at me? Is he going to believe that I've been innocent this whole time? But even if he did, what difference would it make? It was already too late to fix anything."Mind my words, Mr. James. I know not like the rest of them you still have some common sense. Clara was once your wife so there's no way you don't know how's her character at all. You must know she can't steal something that isn't hers." But Krystal spoke again.I was taken aback
James' POVAs I walked into my office after the evaluation meeting with a few of my colleagues, I noticed a lunch box and a tumbler sitting on my desk. I scowled. I don’t recall placing any orders today, and it’s not lunchtime yet. I hate having anything unrelated to work in my office while I'm on the clock. I headed over to the telephone and quickly dialed my secretary's number.Jennifer, my assistant, walked into my office a minute later. A concerned expression so clear on her face. "Yes, Mr. James? Is there an issue with the letter document I sent you? Is there something that was overlooked?”"Was that your doing?" I gestured at the lunchbox on my table.I can't think of anyone other than Jennifer who might have done this. She was here when I was at the meeting, so even if she wasn't the one responsible, she certainly knows who brought it here. But her expression suddenly changed as if she recalled something. “My apologies for not letting you know sooner, Mr. James. You ha
Clara's POVThe following morning, I was awoken by the sound of someone knocking at my door. I was still feeling sleepy, but I managed to get up on my feet. My mascara had smudged under my eyes, and my face was still marked by the remnants of last night's makeup, half-washed away by tears. So I stopped infront of the mirror to tidy up my face a bit before heading to the door.I couldn't hide my puffy eyes right away, but a smile might just do the trick to keep it from being too noticeable. "Morning," Lily said as she stood in front of my door. She came in with a tray of a bowl of cereal and milk. “You've skipped breakfast and it's nearly noon now. I don't want your stomach acid to act up."I swung open my bedroom door and welcomed her inside. Lily placed the breakfast on my nightstand. As I pulled back the curtain, sunlight flooded the room immediately. It honestly feels like I’ve only gotten two hours of sleep. Did I really cry myself until dawn last night?"Is Layla awake y
Clara's POVWhen I stay silent, Zoe used the moment to speak right away."What do you expect her to say, James? Of course, she doesn't have any answer because what Krystal said is not true. I'm sure they have been working together, they have planned my downfall for a long time.""Yes, Zoe is right. I also don't believe your wife paid someone to do that disgusting job." Iris Morgan said to his son.James didn't respond to any of them; he was just waiting for me to say something. What would he even do if I told him the truth? Is he going to laugh at me? Is he going to believe that I've been innocent this whole time? But even if he did, what difference would it make? It was already too late to fix anything."Mind my words, Mr. James. I know not like the rest of them you still have some common sense. Clara was once your wife so there's no way you don't know how's her character at all. You must know she can't steal something that isn't hers." But Krystal spoke again.I was taken aback
Clara's POVZoe rushed into the room, darting over to Krystal in an instant, her hand reaching out to slap Krystal's cheeks. The sound when Zoe’s hand met Krystal’s face echoed so loudly. Krystal staggered back, she brought her hand to the side of her face where Zoe hit her. I could see she was trying to hide her pain, yet her gaze on Zoe remained unwavering."Please don't listen to what this woman said. She's been jealous of me forever she'll do and say anything to drag me down." Zoe said to no one in particular, her gaze swept across the room. She put a fake sad expression on her face even though there were tears in the corner of her eyes now.I didn't notice those tears at all earlier in the bathroom."Calm down Zoe. We won't believe her." Iris Morgan walked over to her daughter-in-law, gently resting her hand on Zoe's shoulder as she spoke. "We have full trust in you. We won't take the claims of this woman seriously, especially since she has no evidence to prove her silly claim of
Clara's POVKrystal reached the room with all the Morgan family members gathered before I could stop her. The event came to a sudden halt as we got into the room. They frowned, their displeasure evident as they fixed their gaze on us, the uninvited guests. "Who are you?" Iris Morgan inquired, a frown creasing her forehead. When her gaze finally landed on me standing behind Krystal, her lips pressed together.She didn't ask any more questions, as if she could already guess who Krystal was just because I was here. The moment Keith's Keith looked my way, I noticed his lips moving as he seemed to say something, but I couldn't catch what it was from my spot."I'm sorry for interrupting the event, but I just have to share something with all of you," Krystal said without any hesitation."First of all, who are you?" It was James who answered her while the other family members appeared to still be too puzzled by Krystal unexpected appearance. James glanced at Krystal for a moment before his
Clara's POVIs this the reason why Keith refused when I wanted to meet him? Because his family has arranged for him to meet that woman tonight? I couldn't quite find who the woman was, I'm sure I'd never seen her before. But the way his family reacted to her, made it clear she held a special significance to his family.I dropped my gaze, feeling a strange burning sensation in my chest from the sudden realization. I just clenched my hand when there was nothing more I could do to express it."Hey Clara, you alright?" I heard Krystal's voice just as she came up behind me.I couldn't look at the view before me any longer, so I turned around and left.I hurried to the bathroom, not wanting Lily or Layla to catch a glimpse of how I was feeling. When I got there, I tried to focus on calming my heartbeat.Why do I feel this way? I can't help but wonder. Am I feeling down because Keith lied to me, or is it because him having dinner with that woman? And not just an ordinary dinner. His family
Clara's POVI didn't want to spoil the vibe, so I set aside any doubts I had about Krystal and went along with the plan for dinner together. Maybe Lily was onto something; perhaps I was just having negative thoughts. Now, as we go out together with my daughter, Krystal is always trying to brighten the mood. Krystal's inviting and cheerful personality is why my daughter said yes when I asked her out tonight."Here is good but I like New York better since all of my friends are here," Layla said. Krystal started the light chat with my daughter joked about several things and shared some laughs about various topics. "New York, it's a dream for everyone else including me. Once my career is stable enough I think I'd like to live there." Krystal said."Can we be a neighbor when you move there?" Layla asked and it made me can't help but smile.Yet there was a realization tugged on me hearing that; in our apartment neighborhood, there are very few children her age, almost none. I didn't reali
Clara's POV"I feel like there's something off about your friend Lily." After Krystal left, I finally spoke up about what was bothering me, and now it was just me and Lily together.Don't get me wrong, it's not I don't want her to think that I don't like her. She seems like a decent woman, nothing about her indicates she's a criminal or anything like that. But something about her is just suspicious, I know you must have had that feeling sometime. Something feels off, but you just can't put your finger on it."I don't know why but she gives me an uneasy feeling," I said, giving an apologetic smile. I honestly feel bad to say this. But Lily doesn't stop asking me what's wrong since Krystal left and I suppose she also notices my anxiety.“Did she say something that upset you while I wasn’t paying attention?” Lily is asking me. Her expression was strict and grave. "No! No!" I said right away.I absolutely don't want my relationship with Krystal to become strained just because of this u
Clara's POVAs I walked back into the apartment, I caught the sound of waves of laughter coming from the TV room. I recognize one of them is Lily's voice. And It got me thinking about who she was chatting with. Is it possible that it's the nurse?Every day when the nurse arrives, Lily puts on a poker face and acts all stiff. She wasn't fond of being examined, and she directed her frustration at the nurse. I walked into the living room and noticed she was with a woman I didn't recognize. They're sharing a laugh. When Lily's gaze landed on me, she paused and stood up. "Oh, my cousin is back!" Lily exclaimed.Seeing the stranger in our apartment, my daughter rushed into her room, she is not used to having other people here. I placed the groceries on the table and walked over to them. "Clara, I'm sorry for not letting you know beforehand that I would have guests over today. I hope you're not upset" Lily said to me.Her friends get to her feet. She's a gorgeous woman, probably about our