Chapter 14

Clara's POV

Running back inside the house, I went straight to my bedroom.

Breathing hard, I leaned my back against the door.

"What was it I just did?" I mumbled.

It was never intended to progress to this point. I didn't think things through; it was meant to help me keep my job. How was I going to escape this one at this point?

It signaled my demise. I had no choice but to leave the city, hoping he would never track me down. That, I believe, was going to be my answer.

Frantically, I reached into my upper cupboard and retrieved my suitcase, packing my clothes neatly. I was unable to focus. I just knew I was ready to let go of everything. There didn't seem to be much chance to tell him the truth. Nothing was forgiving about him.

Officially, my life was over.

*****

I slept for not even a wink. Despite my inability to focus and racing my mind, I had persuaded myself that moving away was the wisest course of action.

Before my family members, I was the first to wake up. Before they knew it, I had taken a shower. After the two of them had departed, I decided it would be best for me to leave as well.

I dressed and then put on my bathrobe over my clothes so my mom and sister wouldn't be suspicious if I ran into them.

Was I doing the right thing? Was it the right choice to leave my family behind? However, what options did I have? I can already picture my mom's disappointed expression when Derek learns the truth, and I know that he will ruin my life. If I relocated, maybe before Derek finds out and ruins my reputation there, I could support my family and find employment in a different city.

I was already ahead of the game. I would purchase a bus ticket with my remaining savings. When my mother and sister leave the house, I'll depart. I would have to write a note explaining that I have been offered a fantastic job.

My mother entered after hearing a loud knock on my door.

"Why do you not prepare for work?" she enquired.

I replied, "Today is my day off."

"Well, your boss is quite considerate," she remarked.

Mom was getting ready to shut the door as she walked out.

It could be the last time I see her for a while. Our parting couldn't end here.

"Mom," I interrupted her, halting her movement. "I want you to know you are loved no matter what," I uttered.

She turned back to me, perplexed.

"Did you learn that you have cancer and are dying?" she inquired.

I looked different. I answered, "Of course not, Mom."

"I'm saying that Ms. Welson should be dropping by shortly to pick up some cupcakes I baked for her son's bake sale." She said something.

Without saying, "I love you too," she left and shut the door behind her.

To see Katy off, I went downstairs.

Mom was packing her bags and preparing the cake she needed to deliver.

Mom said sounding warning we need to go right away."

With ease, Mom carried everything as she left the house.

"I hope you have a wonderful day," I bid Katy farewell.

She was annoying, but I was going to miss her.

"What have you been doing today?" Asking Katy.

"Nothing at all. Why would you inquire about it? Asking, I did.

"You seem a little more foolish than normal," she retorted.

It took me some time to get over that. When I try to treat my family nicely, this is what transpires.

"Come on, Katy, it's time for us to go. Alternatively, you risk being tardy to school." Mom shouted.

With a sigh, Katy stamped her feet and left the house.

I gave it a few minutes before deciding that I could be sure they wouldn't come back.

Running up to my room, I grabbed my suitcase. It was much more complex to carry than I had thought, even though I thought I had packed a lot. I struggled for several minutes before I succeeded in getting it downstairs. I removed and set aside the bathrobe.

I let out a sigh and took a moment to reconsider my choice.

I should probably tell him that I'm ill. That would allow me enough time to inform him that the baby was lost. All of my issues would then be resolved.

I was startled out of my reverie when the doorbell rang. It had to be Ms. Welson arriving to pick up her cupcakes.

I grinned as I unlocked the door.

Staring at Derek, my eyes grew wide.

Why was he here, and why so early?

I couldn't tell him I was sick since he had already seen me.

"Are you set to leave?" With eagerness, he inquired.

I looked at him awkwardly, faking a smile.

"Should I enter?" he inquired.

He walked past me and into the room before I could respond.

After him, I shut the door.

"Where did you go for your travels?" He gestured toward my suitcase across the hallway.

I lied, saying, "No." "We wanted to donate some clothes," I pretended.

Derek followed me into the living room. He sat on the couch and studied our family photos.

He said, "You live in a beautiful home."

That was his first kind remark to me.

Why I felt uneasy around him all the time is beyond me. Was it something about me that was always lying around him, or was it something about him?

I was startled out of my reverie when the doorbell rang.

Mrs. Welson was grinning at me when I opened the door.

She walked past me and said, "Good morning, dear." "I'm curious who owns that stunning vehicle. Whoever it is, caution should be taken to avoid being robbed." Ms. Welson carried on.

Her eyes grew wide as she looked at Derek and then back at me, startled.

"At last, Ashley, you have a boyfriend." I was concerned that you might pass away alone when your mother and I were discussing it the other day." Added she.

Pinch! She was going to call my mother now to let her know that she had seen me with a man.

"Well, we're not together," I shot back.

Ms. Welson's expression gave me away that she did not think I was telling the truth.

"He's just a customer. For his daughter, he would like to order a cake." I was untrue.

Raising his eyebrows, Derek turned to face me.

No longer did Ms. Welson appear to be persuaded.

"Well, I'm in the kitchen with your cupcakes." Taking her hand, I led her to the kitchen.

The box my mother had just placed on the kitchen counter was given to her. With equal swiftness, I led her outside. I knew she would make me look even worse if she stayed longer.

I pointed at the door after Ms. Welson departed, saying, "I'm sorry about that."

He continued to fold his hands and raise his eyebrows. I had just shown him that I was a dishonest person.

"I have a gift for you," He made a statement.

His fingers went into his blazer pocket. He pulled out a box and gave it to me.

As I opened the package, I became anxious because I was surprised to see the newest iPhone.

I shook my head, refusing, and my eyes grew wide. I returned the phone to him and apologized, saying, "I can't accept this."

He pushed my hand aside. It seems that you required one. It wasn't complicated at all," he answered.

"You didn't have to," I remarked.

"It was my desire," he cut me off. "I wanted to express my regret for how I handled you the previous time as well. I behaved like an absolute jerk. He made a statement.

I felt much worse about myself after hearing his apologies.

"We should prepare to go before we postpone this any longer. In less than thirty minutes is the appointment," said he.

It was almost something I had forgotten. There was no way that any of my ideas would work anymore. I could not deny feeling ill, and I most surely could not flee at this point.

Could you kindly wait a little while for me? Asking, I did.

With a grin, I hurried to my room.

I had to devise a strategy, and I had to do it immediately.

A stocky guy wearing a black suit stood outside as I peered out my window. He had to be Derek's bodyguard or driver since he always grabbed me before I could get anywhere, not even that I could flee.

I hope Ivy can devise a plan to get me out of here. I went to Ivy's number on my new phone. She wasn't answering when I listened to the phone ring. I took one final look at Ivy's phone.

When I needed her the most, why wasn't she responding?

I decided to pray briefly for Derek to become the world's strongest person.

It was time for me to go. I had to let him wait for a while. I should have told him the truth by now.

I'm not going to survive this; only a miracle would.

Derek was eager to part ways with me. He had already unlocked the front door so we could go before I could say anything.

Before attempting to catch up with Derek, I closed the front door.

As he opened the front door, his driver grinned at me. Although he seemed menacing, he was much kinder.

I entered the vehicle. With his driver there, how would I be able to tell Derek the truth?

Ivy got another SMS from me.

The automobile was going off in a couple of seconds.

I became very anxious. It was far too tiny an automobile for the two of us. My breathing became labored.

Derek must have sensed my nervousness.

He looked straight into my eyes as he grasped my hand in his.

"I want you to know that this is not something you are doing alone," His mouth dropped a grin. I also want you to know that you can share anything with me. He made a statement.

Why did you think that was a threat? Did he think I was telling a falsehood?

With trepidation, I withdrew my hand from his and backed away gradually.

To feel more in control, I texted Ivy again, using exclamation points this time.

Ivy wasn't responding to any of my messages; why? Perhaps she knew of a way to save me from this.

Our arrival didn't take too long. The journey seemed to be the shortest of my life.

Derek's chauffeur hurriedly opened the door for me. I exited the vehicle.

I peered at the towering medical structure. I had the impression that I was about to die as I entered the building.

Why did I comply with this? I should tell him what's going on.

Derek visited the front desk agent.

"We're here for an appointment," he said.

The receptionist acknowledged him as "Mr. Montenegro." "This way, please." She said something.

Walking us down the corridor, she abandoned her workstation. After riding the elevator up two stories, she eventually showed us to a room where a nurse awaited us.

We were left in the hands of the nurse by the receptionist.

Thely, the nurse questioned, "So, are you delighted to be parents?"

Neither Derek nor myself responded.

"All right, you guys may settle down. The nurse went on, "The doctor will arrive soon.

I curled my hands into fists, trying to calm myself down, panicked, perspiration streaming down my forehead.

"Would you want to say anything?" Asking Derek.

As I nodded.

"May I please use the restroom? I'm a little queasy," I enquired.

"On your right, two doors down the hallway." The nurse replied.

I hurried to the restroom after leaving the room in an instant.

I was careful to lock the door as soon as I closed it.

Sitting on the toilet seat, I searched for a way out. When did my life take such a terrible turn that I was in this predicament?

In my pocket, my phone rang. Ivy was there, which gave me a sense of relief.

Hello, how are you? Ivy said. "I saw that you missed calls."

I murmured into the phone, "I'm in a problem."

She questioned, "Calm down, what's wrong?"

To keep anyone from hearing us, I got up from the toilet seat and turned on the faucet.

Speaking as quickly as I could, I started outlining the specifics.

Is it possible to escape? Is it possible for you to leap from the window? Ivy said, 'You can always think up an excuse later.

"I would leap to my death, but I'm two stories above," I shot back. Additionally, I'm sure he's just outside the door. Here, I'm confined." I said what I said.

There was a knock at the door.

Are you ok in there? Banging on the door, Derek screamed.

"I'm leaving in a minute!" And I shouted back.

"It's outdoors; what should I do?" I called the phone in a whisper.

"Calm down, and try to remain in there as long as you can. Give him a little time to wait." Ivy replied.

"My time here is limited. In addition, if he learned the truth, it would make him more angry." I replied.

Alright, please relax. Just stay there for a little longer; I must go now." Added she.

After hanging up, she said.

It's unbelievable that she hung up on me while I was having trouble.

I let out a sigh and leaned my back against the wall. It was fair to state I think that there was no way out of this predicament alive.

I think I went to the restroom for an additional 10 minutes. That was how long it took me to come to terms with things.

I went out of the restroom to see Derek resting against the wall.

"Are you ready to go in now?" He made a statement.

"There is something I need to tell you I responded," I stated.

He stood up straight, placing both his hands in his pocket.

Here I went; there was no going back now.

I took a big breath.

In my pocket, my phone rang. I needed to ignore it before losing this little bravery I had just collected.

Derek and I sat quietly for a long as I struggled to find the appropriate words to convey the issue. Where was the most excellent spot to start with all this?

My phone continued to ring.

"Maybe you should answer it," Derek said.

With my hands shaking, I took my phone from my pocket and answered it.

"Is this Ashley Owens?" A guy asked.

"Yes," I responded.

"I'm phoning to notify you that your mother has just been admitted to the hospital. She experienced a heart attack and is in a severe state." The guy said.

_____________________________ A/N: I appreciate you reading so much. Please vote and comment; I'd love to hear your opinions.