Chapter 107

Derek's POV

Clara had remained quiet through almost everything. I noticed how she started to panic. "My family, I have to go to them right now. They must be so worried." She sobbed.

“Clara, you should stay here. They can't know you are still alive until everyone responsible has been arrested. You will be putting your life and everyone else's life in danger." Kevin interjected.

Luke and Kevin left the house to proceed with the plan.

I rushed to the kitchen to get Claraa a glass of water. I wouldn't want her to have another panic attack.

She drank the whole glass without breathing in between. She must have been thirsty.

I knelt beside her and wiped tears from her cheeks. "You should get some rest," I suggested.

She nodded. I helped her up and walked her back to my bedroom. She'd be more comfortable there. I tucked her in. To make the room more comfortable, I closed the curtains.

I had reached for the door handle when her voice stopped me. "Could you wait here for a while? I've been struggling to sleep." She whispered.

Returning to the bed, I nodded with a smile. I removed my shoes and settled beside her under the blanket. She was surprised when I pulled her into my arms, laying her head on my chest. I don't think she meant that, but I needed it more.

She didn't fight me or move away from me. We just lay there peacefully.

"I'm sorry this happened to you. I should have saved you. I should have checked upstairs that day. It's my fault." I whispered. I wasn't even sure if she had fallen asleep.

"But then she would have hurt you," she whispered back. Her voice was faint as she drifted off to sleep.

She was worried about me? After everything that happened to her, why would she still care about me?

I held her in my arms for a while longer. I was scared that I'd fall asleep too, and then I wouldn't be able to protect her.

I slowly pulled my arm away from her and rested her head on the pillow. I slipped out of bed. I was halfway across the room when my eyes fell on my drawer.

It's something that I had avoided for a long time.

Perhaps this was my only way ever to understand her.

I opened the drawer and picked up the letter Clara had written to me. It was still in the same condition I had left, torn halfway and crumpled up. I was too upset to read it. I was still processing that she had betrayed me, but I hadn't had to throw it away or burn it like I'd said.

I swallowed a hard lump as I read the letter. Suddenly, it was clear of all the times she had tried to talk to me. She wasn't who I accused her to be, and it's all because I didn't listen. I wish I could take back all my words, mostly my actions.

If I had tried to listen, we could have been spared from so much more. I would ensure I spent the rest of my life making it up to her. I had been such a fool about everything.

I shoved the letter back into the drawer at the sound of my phone vibrating. I looked at my phone to see several texts from Katy. She was still worried about Clara. I felt terrible not letting her know that her sister was safe, but for now, this was for the best.

I walked into the kitchen to prepare food for Clara. She'd certainly be hungry when she woke up. I wasn't sure how long it had been since she ate. With what I had in the fridge, I salvaged a few chicken wraps and laid them on a tray. I poured some juice for the two of us, too.

By now, she had slept for at least an hour. It would be good for her if she ate something.

I took the food upstairs, making sure not to spill anything. She was still sleeping in the same position I'd left her in. I placed the tray on the bedside table before leaning in to shake her shoulder.

“Clara, you should wake up," I whispered to her.

At first, she didn't respond. She finally woke up groaning in protest. Something wasn't right.

I placed my hand on her forehead. Her temperature was far too high. She leaned off the bed, throwing up all the water she had drunk earlier.

I started to panic. She looked cold. I couldn't understand it. She was fine not so long ago.

Everything else happened so fast. She looked like she was barely breathing, and her lips turned blue. I rushed her to the hospital, where she was placed in the emergency room. The doctors wouldn't say anything, and staff members ran in and out of the room. It was already nightfall, and I still hadn't heard anything.

All I could think about was that I wouldn't survive if anything happened to her. To think I spent so much time resenting her for lying to me, and now she could be gone. I couldn't afford to think like that. She just had to survive.

I checked my phone for a message from Luke. 'Amelia has been arrested.' The message read. At least one problem had been solved. I held my hands together in prayer, hoping she would wake up.

“Derek," I heard a faint voice over my shoulder.

I turned to see Clara's mother and Katy, who looked equally worried. "The hospital called us," Clara's mother explained. I noticed Clara's father right behind her.

I had been so worried that I hadn't even considered calling them. I was so stupid.

I wiped the tears off my cheeks. Their daughter was lying there sick. The last thing they needed was to have me around and be more emotional than they were.

"You don't look so well. You should go home and get some rest. We got it from here." She suggested.

"I can't just leave her like this." I was pleased.

"Please," she said. Something in the tone of her voice told me it wasn't a suggestion. "My daughter has already suffered enough. The last thing she needs is you to be here. It would be great if you never showed up in her life again. You should do that for her if you love her. That's the least she deserves. It's best if she stays away from people like you." She added.

I opened my mouth to speak, but she looked at me more adamantly.

"You should leave," she demanded. "I'm sure you don't want to cause a scene here," she added.

I sighed, picking up my jacket to get up. She might not have wanted me here, but I wasn't leaving this hospital, at least until I knew she was alright.

I understand her pain. I felt it, too. She was doing what she thought was best.

I had gathered my things to leave when the doctor left Clara's room. He looked calmer, unlike the multiple times I'd seen him stressed.

"She is out of danger now. We managed to reverse the effects of the substances she was injected with. She is awake now if you want to see her." The doctor explained.

We all sighed in relief.

As long as she was alright, I knew everything would be okay.