Chapter 109

Clara's POV

It must have been six a.m. when my mother came to visit.

"Your sister wanted to visit but couldn't skip any more school days," Mom announced.

I felt her stroking my hair as she sat beside me.

"What happened?" She whispered.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"You looked a bit better last night and now look so sad. Besides, I saw Derek sleeping in the hall, and he didn't seem so good either. He seemed so relieved last night after hearing you were alright, so I must assume something had happened." She commented.

"It's nothing," I answered dismissively.

She sighed. "Look, you should probably talk about things. I didn't want to talk about things and look where it got me so many years later. He cares a lot about you. He wouldn't be here if he didn't. I told him not to show up, and clearly, he is not giving up." She said,

"Don't worry. Soon enough, you'll never see him again. It would help if you were happy about that," I answered. I turned away from her.

"But are you happy?" she asked.

"Can you just leave me alone? If you are finished, you can make your way out." I said.

She stayed around for almost an hour, then had to leave and go to the police station for questioning.

Turns out you can only sleep for as long until you become bored.

The doctors and nurses made frequent visits and were optimistic about my recovery. My body was still weak, but I felt a lot better.

I was relieved when the nurse announced I'd have a visitor until I saw who it was.

The sound of the walking stick should have been enough to know who it was. I could have used the time to pretend I was dead or, better still, leave the room,m but I was foolishly hopeful.

Derek's grandfather walked into my room with his usual sinister look and a mightier-than-thou attitude.

He looked over at me and smirked. "You don't look too bad. I guess everyone exaggerated how bad you were." He commented. If my hand weren't connected to an IV, I'd be the one leaving this room. He was here for a peace offering.

"Why are you here?" I asked.

"Don't worry," he replied, raising his hand. "I won't be here for too long. I wanted to be here in person to ensure my message was clear. I hope you liked my flowers." He smiled. "It's funny how I've tried to make sure you and I don't end up as a family, yet here we are." He chuckled. "You've cost me a lot lately, you and all your recent drama." He paused. "I'm sure we both agree that things will get ugly. You can bet that a lot of ugly things are going to come out in the tabloids. It would be best to stay as far away as possible from my grandson before you ruin him and his reputation." He continued."I'm not the one who told her to kidnap me and try to kill me twice," I answered.

"You have no idea how many people sympathise with her. Your mother was a whore, she ruined her marriage, and you were a mistake that should never have happened. I don't want your bad luck to rub off on my grandson. He can do much better and find a decent woman with morals." He continued. He should be the last to speak about morals.

"If you came here to insult me, you should leave. Nothing is left between Derek and me, so you have no reason to be here." I answered.

"He might seem infatuated with you right now, but someday, he will see you for who you truly are. I'd hope you'd look for at least an ounce of decency and stay away from him. I hope this time my message is clear." He added.

This time, he didn't bother faking his smile. He gave me a sinister look before leaving my room.

I felt numb. I just wanted this nightmare to be over and go back to a time in my life when I worked two jobs to pay the bills, and I didn't have to worry about people plotting against me. He was right; I was bad luck and was bound to brag Derek into my mess; he didn't deserve that. Perhaps there will come a day when Derek will be happier without me. I love him, but fate always seems to have other plans for us. Maybe if we ended, all of this would too. I didn't want anyone else to suffer.

I passed as I spent my time asleep and watching some TV. Before I knew it, it was almost sunset, and my sister had come to visit. I wish she would stop talking.

"Are you going to tell me what happened?" Katy asked, poking into my arm. She wouldn't stop; the longer I tried to ignore her, the more she persisted.

"Could you please stop talking about him? I already told you nothing happened." I answered.

"Then why are you doing this?" She asked, pulling my arm. "You have to get Derek back for us. Who else will cook with Mom? You know he is the only person who has ever told Mom her food was terrible and lived to tell the tale." She continued.

Right now, I was beginning to think that Derek had paid her to be his salesperson.

"If I hear another word from you, I'll stuff a pillow over your head." I threatened. My body is too weak right now. I'm sure she'd continue talking even as I strangled her.

"I spoke to him earlier. I think he is the only good taste you've ever had. Who else thinks hotdogs are the best food in the world? Out of all the sushi and steak in the world, why would that be your favourite?" she asked.

"Didn't you say you no longer liked him?" I asked.

"Yes, but he seemed very sorry. Besides, if someone lied about having my baby, I'd be upset, too. How many people do you know who lie about being pregnant and aren't a gold-digger? Maybe you need to see it from his point of view." She answered.

I wasn't mad about that.

"I was rooting for team Derek," she said. I wasn't even going to ask. "Come to think about it, Clara sounds so much better." She continued.

I took the pillow supporting my back to cover my face, hoping Katy's voice would be blared out.

Right now, I'd pay someone to date my sister so she'd stop talking.