Clara's POVThe location Lily shared was an ordinary sidewalk, somewhat removed from the hustle of the main road. What was she doing in such a quiet location? And what caused her to sound so panicky when she called me earlier?“Lily, where are you?” I called. I can’t see her anywhere.At that moment, I heard a vain woman's voice calling for help, and I immediately recognized it as Lily's. I moved closer to where the sound was coming from.Behind the wall that divided the settlement from the street stood my cousin, accompanied by a tall, robust man. The man was attacking her, causing her to scream like that earlier. He seized her neck, causing Lily to cry out in pain.My anger surged as I was about to rush forward, yet my instincts whispered a warning that he could harm me as well.I activated the camera and started recording as I moved closer to them. Directing my phone towards him.“What on earth? What are you doing to my sister? Release her immediately, or I will ensure this video g
Clara's POV"I’m sorry for the delay, ladies. The traffic was quite heavy on the way here. I hope everything is going well?" Keith approached us with a look of concern.Lily clearly doesn't expect to see him here. Noticing her tension, I held her hand a bit tighter and said to Keith, "The doctor said that Lily doesn't require hospitalization; she can head home tomorrow after settling the bill for the medicine and room."“Thank God,” Keith nodded. A sense of ease on his face, "There's no need for you to stress about the expenses."I glanced at him with a hint of confusion; I still had enough savings to manage it, so there was no need for him to step in like this."Thank you so much, Mr. Morgan," Lily answered quickly. I could feel she was still a bit uncomfortable with Keith being here, she might think he could harm her as well."Please just call me by my name. Lily, that's your name right?" Keith turned to Lily, and my cousin responded with a nod. "What happened? How did you end up he
Clara's POVThe next morning, Lily was finally allowed to go home. Keith insisted on driving her to my uncle and aunt's house. When Auntie Jena asked, Lily said that she was hit by a car, she didn’t want them to know what really happened."Thank you, Clara, I can't imagine what would have happened to Lily if you hadn't arrived on time. And please send my gratitude to Mr. Keith Morgan for his generosity." Uncle Thomas said.Auntie Jena guided Lily up to her room, leaving me alone with Uncle Thomas. I felt a sense of ease because he appeared much more inviting than during my last visit. "You're welcome uncle, please take good care of Lily."After chatting with him for a while, I went back to the car where Keith was waiting.“I will drive you to your apartment, is the address still the same? Or do you want to go somewhere else?” He asked.I tensed but I quickly masked it, "Please drop me off right in front of the restaurant. Thanks again for all your help.""Did you begin your shift tod
Clara's POVI know we were both taken aback by our unexpected encounter, but Zoe caught on first and swiftly altered her expression."Clara? What a surprise to see you in a place like this! And looks who did you come with, my future brother-in-law."Even without turning my head, I could feel Keith's intense stare directed at James and Zoe; he didn't like the way Zoe addressed him. Zoe's gaze then locked onto the pink dress we were about to select earlier. "This one! I found it! This is what I want James, Can I have this dress please?"She turned to James, circling her hands on his arm, making sure that he would give her what she wanted. James nodded and ordered the dress to be packed right now. As I realized that Keith was on the verge of protesting, I reached out and placed my hand on his arm, yet it felt like there was nothing I could do to hold him back now."This one is for Clara only, Zoe. I've already picked it for her first. You can choose another dress." Keith said to her, ca
Clara's POV"I want you dead right now!" Zoe's voice was throaty, now she was no different from someone who just lost her sanity. “Get out of my and James' life you parasite!"I lifted my hand to protect myself from her strike, and while my hand wasn't entirely safe and ended up with a few scratches from her, at least my face was untouched."Stop it Zoe!" I pressed my lips together, trying to suppress the pain I felt. I couldn't just stay silent, I couldn't let Zoe do this to me."Stop it!" I exclaimed.Zoe continued to mutter some curses at me, and when she let her guard down, I quickly seized her wrist."Stop it Zoe! You can't hurt me like this, I just want to solve this problem properly."She finally calmed down. Her blond strands tumbled across her face, giving her a messy appearance."Solve it properly? After being insulted like that right to my face? You wish! You have to pay what you just did!""Zoe, Keith was just acting on impulse in a moment of emotion because—" I hesitated,
Clara's POVIt was so easy for James to hurt me like this, without caring about my feelings at all. The door opened, Keith's gaze locked on me, and then to James. He walked over and then pulled me to his side, distancing me from his brother."Don't touch Clara James, you just want to hurt her. Don't you know that Clara is-" Keith paused for a moment. My heart was beating twice as fast, he almost revealed to James that I was pregnant.James turned his attention to his brother "This woman has tried to hurt my wife. And anyone who dares to hurt my wife will have to deal with me."Keith stole a glance at Zoe, who immediately placed her hand on the spot where her shoulder had grazed the glass, her face turned into a look of pain and hurt. But it seemed that it wasn't easy to fool Keith. Keith turned to me instead, he examined my condition as if to make sure that I was okay. When I smiled, he gave me a reassuring nod as if to assure me that he was on my side."Open your eyes James. You ca
Clara's POV"Wishing you all the best, Grandpa," James said curtly. He offered a cold smile, while Zoe made every effort to appear warm and likable to the old gentleman"Happy birthday Mr. George, It's a pleasure to finally meet you in person. James told me how thoughtful and compassionate you are, and it truly feels like an honor for me to attend your birthday celebration." Zoe said with a sweet smile plastered on her face.But Mr. George didn't spare her any attention, he didn't even thank her. He looks confused and displeased as he looks at his grandson. "Who is this lady, James? Why did you bring her to my birthday party?"I think since they started dating, James has yet to introduce Zoe to his family, which explains why his grandfather appeared not to recognize her. Well, given how Mr. George is very strict when it comes to accepting new people into his circle, James must be waiting for the right timing."Grandpa, let me introduce you to Zoe Sinclair, my wife. We will hold our w
Clara's POV"I swear I had it on tonight; I never really take it off, you know. I take it along with me no matter where I am." James' mother's voice wavered.Behind her panic, I could see a guilt stemming from the fact that the necklace had been a gift from James's father to her.So losing it, a cherished gift from her late husband, must have been so heartbreaking for her.In that instant, our previous conversation faded away as everyone in the room quickly focused on what Mrs. Iris Morgan said."I have to find it. I can't live without it.""You must have dropped it somewhere without realizing it, Iris." Said Mr. George. "You've been busy welcoming our guests since evening."But Mrs. Iris only shook her head, and I could see tears beginning to well in her eyes."No father, I'm sure I'm not that careless."Zoe, who was standing beside James, moved to take her place beside Mrs. Iris and offered a sympathetic smile. She rested her hand on the elder woman's shoulder and said reassuringly.
Clara's POVI took a taxi to the place. I need to get Arlo to leave before I go; otherwise, he'll definitely get suspicious. And he would trail behind me and then tell James that I'm meeting Keith tonight. I didn't tell Lily about this either. I just said that I went out to catch up with an old friend. I waited for thirty minutes, and my heart was racing like crazy as I anticipated his arrival.I felt something I couldn't quite put into words when I got his message yesterday. I’m excited that we’re finally going to meet, but I can’t help feeling a bit nervous about what he might say tonight. Is he here to say goodbye? From now on, we’ll need to maintain some distance between us.He is engaged. Even though some people believe that friends can stay friends regardless of one having a partner, I know this doesn't hold for friendships with the opposite sex.I stood up from my bench and strolled over to the koi pond. I admired the vibrant fish gliding through the crystal-clear water, but
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