4. Nobody’s daughter

Clara's POV

"You can stay in your old room; don't worry about Mom and Dad; I'll talk to them." Lily said. I was at a loss as to how else to thank her. 

"Thank you so much, Lily."

"No problem. Goodnight, Clara."

I stepped into my old bedroom. This space was once a storehouse; this room just had a single bed and a wardrobe, we didn't have money to purchase additional furniture back then. Once I got married, it looks like my uncle and aunt decided to leave this room unoccupied.

I got into the shower and slipped into my old pajamas. Then a wave of drowsiness washed over me, and I drifted off to sleep. 

The sun was shining brilliantly when I woke up the next morning. I quickly jumped into the shower and got dressed. 

I was brushing my hair when there was a knock echoed from the door. It must be Lily. "Wait a minute..."

But it turned out to be David, my older cousin. I quickly stepped back. Throughout my time here, David treated me poorly, and it left me with trauma. 

"Look who's here. What are you doing in my house, little sister? Did your husband kick you out of his house? Does he not want you anymore?" David dragged me out of the room.

"David, stop it! Please let me go!"

"You have no right to order me around in my own house, Clara. Now that you're here again, you're no different from who you are, a maid to us!" 

It brings a wave of sadness anytime I recall how Uncle Thomas and Auntie Jena treating me like a servant despite being their niece. Lily was the only one who showed me kindness.

"But by the way, you've gotten even sexier, Clara. You live a dream life after selling your virginity to that wealthy man, huh?" David smirked.

I feel so humiliated. What he just said made me remember how much he tried to assault me before.

Before I could think, my hand slapped his face. “Mind your words, David!”

David recoiled, his eyes wide with disbelief. 

"You're getting too bold, little slut. You'll remember this forever when I strip all of this arrogance from you!"

David's grip tightened on my hair, causing me to cry out. Then his hand began to explore my body. I called out for help, and that’s when I noticed the sound of footsteps climbing the stairs. Auntie Jena looked shocked, while Lily tried to free me from David's grasp.

"David, are you crazy?! What are you trying to do to Clara?" Lily snapped at her brother.

Auntie Jena looks more worried about my presence than what her son was about to do to me. "Clara, since when did you come to my house? What do you need here?"

I caught a glimpse of Lily as she nervously bit her lip. Seemed she hadn't told her yet.

"Auntie, I... I want to stay for a few days if you allow me."

"Stay here? Why?" She realized something was off. "What happened? Don't say you have upset your husband. Don't tell me you made James angry enough for him to throw you out, did you? Answer me, stupid girl!"

Her sentence feels like a slap to me.

"You can't do this, Clara. Do you want to sacrifice your uncle's business again? You know how important James' money is to keeping your uncle's business running, don't you? Go back to James and apologize to him until he forgives you."

"I can't, auntie... "

James had hurt me; I always did what Uncle and Auntie asked, but this time I couldn't do it.

"Tell me what happened, or I'll beat you to death." Auntie Jena was starting to lose her patience.

I had insisted on not sharing my pregnancy with anyone yet. They didn't know about Zoe, but in time, they would discover the truth, wouldn't they?

"James plans to divorce me."

The color fade from Auntie Jena's face when I said that. The pallor was swiftly overtaken by a surge of anger.

Before I could fully grasp what was happening, she yanked me closer and struck my face with such force that I fell to the side.

As if the slap wasn't enough, she began to kick me repeatedly. I nestled in reflexively, wrapping my arms around my body. My baby! I have to protect it! 

Too much pain leaving me feeling overwhelmed.

"Please forgive me, Auntie; please stop.." I pleaded, clutching my belly firmly.

Lily tried to stop her mom while David observed us with a smirk.

"Mom, stop! It wasn't Clara's fault! James had hurt her! Stop this, Mom!"

"Don't defend her, Lily; there must be a reason why James hurt her. This stupid girl must have made him mad. Now tell me what you did to make James that angry?"

I shook my head as Auntie Jena insisted I look up and respond to her question.

"Whatever happened between you two, you can't let him divorce you, or I'll make you regret every single one of your choices, you foolish girl." She remarked and turned to leave, David trailing behind her.

Only Lily stayed; she helped me stand up. Her face filled with pity. "I'm so sorry Clara. I didn't expect Mom would react like this."

I shook my head. "Lily, this isn't on you. Thank you for allowing me to stay overnight."

Uncle and Auntie would not welcome me again, even only for a moment. I decided to leave today, even though I did not know where I would stay.

When i pass the living room i noticed that this house has undergone renovations since my last visit. The presence of new furniture and a new car in the garage suggested that Uncle Thomas' business was regaining its momentum. I'm feel happy for them.

"That stupid Clara will only destroy our plans if James is really going to divorce her. She's so ungrateful, just like her mother."

I was just about to open the front door when I hear Aunt Jena's voice.

"If James goes through with the divorce, we need to have alternative options to ensure he continues providing me with capital." Uncle Thomas answered.

"What if we ask Lily to seduce James and steal him away from Clara? It won't be a challenge; after all, our daughter Lily is far more beautiful than that stupid and useless girl."

I swiftly pressed my hand to my mouth, stifling the sobs that were on the verge of breaking free as Aunt Jena's words echoed in my thoughts.