Chapter 108

Clara's POV

I woke up to a beeping sound and bright lights around me.

All the anxiety rushed in. It took me a while to calm down and realise I was no longer tied up there. I was safe. I still couldn't close my eyes and not reimagine everything. I wish I could forget everything. About a month ago, I never imagined my life would turn out this way.

The sedatives were wearing off when my family came rushing into my room.

Mom and Katy were the first to strangle me with their hugs and kisses. Soon enough, my room was covered in flowers and soon balloons got well.

It was a relief to see everyone again. I thought I never would.

We spoke for hours and even cried. You never know how to appreciate these small moments until they can be taken away.

I was glad to hear that the woman had finally been arrested. I hope she is locked away somewhere she can never hurt anyone again. Although everything seemed to settle, I couldn't help but think the real storm would soon follow.

A nurse stopped by multiple times to inform us that visiting hours were over. By then, Katy had fallen asleep beside me. It was difficult enough to wake her, let alone convince her it was time to leave.

"We'll leave you to get some rest. I'll be outside if you need anything," Mom announced. She pulled me in for a final hug. If I hadn't pulled away, she would have probably let go when my bones started cracking.

They finally left the room, and I was exhausted.

I hugged myself tightly to remind myself I was safe.

Someone knocked on my door. A nurse stepped in, holding a bouquet of pink roses. She smiled at me, approaching my bed.

"Someone sent these for you," she announced with a smile.

"Who sent them?" I asked, sitting up straight.

"I don't know, but they came with a card." She answered.

She pushed aside the flower vase on the desk beside me to make room for the bouquet. She didn't say anything before leaving the room.

I thought I had seen everyone already. Who were they from?

I smiled, reaching into the flowers for the note.

It was in an envelope; I unfolded the letter and began reading.

My smile immediately dropped; it wasn't a get well soon letter as I anticipated.

I quickly wiped my tears and choked them back to keep myself from crying. I wanted to be done with everything. I miss the days when my life was simpler. I was always broke, but at least back then, I wasn't choked up by all the lies and hate. I crumbled the letter in my fist and threw it across the room.

I was startled as the door slowly cracked open. I held onto my bed sheets tightly as I waited for the person to reveal them. This hospital had to be safe.

Derek's face emerged from the shadows.

I retreated slowly as he approached me.

"You are awake," Derek said, smiling.

He walked to my side and sat beside me. I could barely concentrate on him. My mind was clouded with too many thoughts.

He took my hand into his and smiled softly at me. "I'm sorry I couldn't be here when you woke up," He said. "You scared me, and I thought something terrible would happen to you." He paused.

I pulled my hand away from his.

He did not need to be here. It was best if he left. I was grateful for everything he had done for me, but here was when our journey ended.

He tore his eyes away and stared at the floor before looking at me again. "I know that many things have happened, but I promise you that from now on, things will be different. I'm deeply sorry for everything I did. I should never have acted that way. I lost sight of who you are when I felt hurt and betrayed. And mostly, I felt like I had lost you. As if I never had you in the first place. And that scared me. I acted out in the worst way possible without hearing you out first, and for that, I'm sorry." He explained.

I understood him, too. I made many bad decisions that I thought were good at the time, and he reacted that way because of it. I should have never done any of what I did, either. I know and understand that lies can never be good.

But I wish things were different.

"You should leave," I finally replied. My mouth became dry, perhaps because I knew I was about to tell one final lie.

"Of course, you need some rest. I'll see you in the morning." He concluded. He smiled weakly and leaned in to kiss me on my forehead.

"You shouldn't come back," I added as he pulled away.

He stared at me with confusion, but he dismissed whatever he was thinking as his face lightened up. "Of course, I'll be here," he answered.

I shook my head at him. "You shouldn't come back to see me, not today or ever. We should end this. Everything that did or didn't happen, all of it." I explained.

"You should get some rest. We are not thinking right now; so many things have already happened on the same day," he answered dismissively.

"My mind has never been clearer on this. We made a mistake. None of this should have happened or gone this far. We've been a disaster since the very beginning. There are far too many cues we can't ignore to know things will never work out. Let's end this now and go our separate ways before we destroy each other further." I said.

"We'll figure things out together. Why are you so afraid of what hasn't even happened yet?" He asked.

"I lied to you. I should have never done that or played with your emotions. How will you ever trust me going forward? Don't you hate me for it?" I asked.

"I know now that's not who you are. I could never agree with your reasons, but now I understand, and I'm willing to fight for us." He answered.

I sighed. "I nearly died, and all I could think about were all the things I never got the chance to do. I want to start my life over without all of this, and there is no room for you in it anymore." I continued.

"Why are you doing this? I love you," he asked.

"If you loved me, you'd leave and never return," I answered.

"You can't ask me to do that," he whispered.

"Please leave," I answered.

I turned away from him and pulled the bed sheet over myself.

A minute later, I almost slipped by before I heard him walk out of the room.

It might hurt now, but this was best for everyone. It's better for everyone this way.

A/N Thank you so much for reading 🥰🥰🥰. I hope you're enjoying the book. Please don't forget to tip me.