Derek POV I found out the moment he smirked back at me from the crowd. I was meant to announce our new hotel opening in a few months. Instead, I left the podium as an engaged man. I should never have followed along with the madness. "You wouldn't be the first rich man to have a mistress. It would be best to learn to handle your private business more discreetly. Just think about getting married to Madison—the kind of influence it would bring to you. Maybe I'd finally be able to respect you as a businessman. After that, you can sleep with whomever you want. Women like her know better than ever to expect men like you to be loyal." He smirked. I laughed sarcastically. "Good thing I've never needed your permission to do anything. Even more so when it comes to my business," I answered. He sighed theatrically. I knew his next words were about to be worse. "Do you intend on being this weak and pathetic for the rest of your life? Think about all the things you could achieve. Do you think y

Clara's POV The car came to a stop. I had arrived at my destination.Derek turned to face me as I unbuckled my seatbelt. "I don't want to keep dropping you off the corner like this. It feels wrong and sneaky," he said."I know," I agreed.He bent forward, capturing my lips with his.Our lips were in sync, the kiss becoming more passionate and intense by the second."I have to go," I moaned against his lips."Don't," he whispered back.His lips were back on mine again. I should stay away from him. My common sense and Derek could not coexist in the same room.I pulled away from him, breathing heavily, trying to gather all my senses. "If I don't leave now, I'll never leave. It's getting late, and you should drive home safely." I answered.I reached for the door as Derek stared at me, disappointed.I emerged from the car and stepped onto the street. The weather today seemed more friendly.I turned around for the final time, waving Derek goodbye, who waved back at me from his driver's seat

Clara's POV Minutes later, Derek donned an apron, the two cooking and laughing together. I never knew suggesting experimenting with spices and recipes could be this funny.I felt like a third wheel around them. Neither of them noticed when I slipped out of the kitchen to watch some TV in the living room.That's when I saw Katy peeking from upstairs. She walked downstairs, her footsteps barely audible."Is anyone dead yet?" she asked.I pointed to the kitchen, where my mom and Derek laughed.Katy looked disappointed. "I was hoping that I'd upgrade to a bigger room." She joked.Katy cozied up right next to me. Of all the space on the couch, she couldn't leave me alone. "He seems like Mom; Mom just doesn't warm up to everyone. You should start working on having that baby." Katy whispered.And have to explain why the child was born a whole month late. Lying was not going to get me out of this one. I sighed, leaning my head back.The TV didn't seem that interesting. Not when I was on edge

Clara's POV "After everything I've said to you, you did this. Do you have any idea what it takes to raise a child?" She yelled.I tried to make my way out of the kitchen, hoping I'd still make it on time for my bus."I made breakfast," she breathed more calmly."I can't, I'm-m getting late for work." I stuttered. I pointed at the door, ready to make my way out."Sit down," Mom demanded. "If your boss had the time to get you pregnant, he can also give you time to eat." She snapped.Without another word, I sat down.She placed a plate of toast and scrambled eggs in front of me."Maybe if I had fed you, those brain cells of yours would have been working, and you wouldn't be walking around doing stupid things." She said next.Ouch!"You are already starving the poor thing. How are you supposed to be a parent?" She said as she poured a glass of orange juice for me.She slammed the glass before me, giving me a stern look.Mom returned to chopping her carrots. That was probably the only thi

Clara's POV Everything makes sense now. I should have known. Now I understand why he mentioned the security cameras to Derek and why he suddenly kept quiet."You know Derek could have easily seen that footage. Who knows what he would have thought about the whole thing? He'd hate to find out you've been up to something." He continued.Now, I was a bit unsettled by his words. Was this a threat to uncover everything I was hiding?"Don't take it as a threat, love. I'm just warning you to be more careful." He added.His gaze remained fixed on me as he studied me. I didn't dare flinch, and I didn't want to look more suspicious."I won't keep you here any longer. As you said, you might be needed." He smiled.I forced a smile, gathering my things so I could leave.With a smile, he waved me goodbye.Was that supposed to be sincere, or was that a threat? I couldn't quite figure out which side he was on.Everything was spiralling out of control. This had to end soon.I walked down the corridor