Chapter 64

Clara's POV

Derek was here! I couldn't believe it. My mind jumped into a panic.

What did he want?

I'd think that after everything he said and did today, he wouldn't show up here for at least a few more days.

I jumped off my bed and toward the window to confirm it with my eyes.

And sure enough, he was here, in the flesh. He was climbing out of his car wearing a navy blue tux. I saw him unload some things from the vehicle.

Whenever I feel that things can't get any worse, something bad always happens. I didn't want to face him now. I needed some time to think things through. Telling him the truth no longer seemed like an option. I couldn't stay fake pregnant forever, so I needed another way out.

Besides, I was still mad at him. He not only fired me but humiliated me by kicking me out of the building.

I took a deep breath, taking in everything. What was I even worried about? It was his funeral. Despite not talking to my mother, I don't think she has forgiven him yet. If he wanted another round of punches, that was his decision.

I sighed as I made my way back to my bed.

"Aren't you going to change into something else or at least brush your hair to look better?" Katy asked.

"Who said I was going to see him?" I asked with a chuckle. "You know, Mom, she will kick him out soon. He'll be here for about five minutes at best." I answered.

"What do you mean you are not going to see him? How else are you supposed to have his baby if you don't even want to speak to the guy?" she asked. "Besides, I like him as a brother-in-law. You can't let Mom kill him." She said,

"You are just going to have to find another sister because he is going to kill me when he finds out. Besides, I'm never having his baby," I answered. I settled myself on the bed. I was pulling my phone out to play a video game.

I would never choose to have a baby as a backup plan to get out of trouble. It would not be in the way of everything I believe in. Besides, with Layla as the grandmother, I'm sure she'd be the one to raise it; it wouldn't be mine.

Katy sighed. "Fine, I'm going downstairs to do some damage control on your behalf." She answered.

I waved her goodbye as she made her way downstairs. If she wanted to join them, it was her funeral.

I pushed away all negative thoughts as I concentrated on the game.

Minutes passed without hearing any police sirens nearby, which meant everyone was still alive. I only heard occasional laughter in the living room. Thisimeh things were going well, which was problematic for me.

Katy barged into my room, running in breathlessly. "You should come downstairs." She said breathlessly. "Things are bad; it turns out that while we were in the room, Mom and I had a very long conversation, and now they are friends again. They are already looking at baby pictures now; who knows what they will get to next?" She said,

"I'm not coming downstairs." I insisted.

"Oh, I don't mean to stab you in the back, but he brought some food, which looks very delicious." She added.

"You should just join them then," I dismissed her.

Katy sighed and ran out of my room again.

I didn't feel like sitting at the dinner table and speaking to either of them.

I returned my attention to my phone and began watching YouTube videos I had saved on my playlist five years ago. The phone that Derek brought me. Why did everything have to remind me of him?

Katy returned to my room, barging in like earlier.

"Diner is being served; you should come downstairs now." She said,

"I told you I wasn't joining them," I answered.

"I don't know, but he just joked that if you refuse to eat, he must get you a nurse. I don't think he was joking." Katy said. I wouldn't be surprised if he did that. "He is also wondering if you are feeling well; otherwise, he'd have to take you to the doctor." She added."That would be great," I answered sarcastically. "Maybe if this time it was the doctor who told him I wasn't pregnant, he would believe it," I said.

"Why are you bent on sabotaging yourself?" Katy asked. "I get that you don't want to have his baby, and I respect that, but this isn't the way to deal with this. "Do you want him to be alone in there with Mom? Free to stir the conversation in any direction. What if they find out what's going on? You know you'll be in trouble then." She said,

I sighed as I jumped off my bed. "Fine," I answered. "But I'm not staying there for longer than ten minutes." I would have to deal with this situation sooner or later, so it might as well be now.

I couldn't keep doing stupid things. I might have been fired, but I was still getting paid.

"Are you seriously leaving the room like that?" she asked.

"He is just going to get used to seeing all of this." I pointed to my messy hair in a bun and to the oversized t-shirt and grey sweatpants I was wearing.

I pulled my door open and made my way downstairs.

Katy followed right behind me. I followed the voices to our small dining area. The table had already been set, and Derek and Mom were busy dishing their plates.

"Nice of you to join us," Derek's face lit up as I entered the room.

Mom smiled, too.

I ignored their looks and walked around the table to take my seat.

As expected, Katy quickly filled her plate and began digging into her food.

I glared at Derek across the table, clearly showing him how upset I was. He smiled at me in return, unbothered by my reaction. He knew he had won.

I crossed my arms, leaning back into my chair.

"Are you going to eat? You haven't had anything since you came here." Mom asked.

I had a few packets of chips under my bed. Not exactly a healthy option to supplement any of my meals, but at least my stomach wasn't empty.

"I'm not hungry," I replied angrily.

"We shouldn't push her. Besides, you can always choose to have a drink," Derek answered.

I couldn't believe him; he was already taking it there. That was low of him. "I meant the orange juice, of course," he added, masking the bitterness in his voice with a charming smile.

"I miss the days when I could just strap her into her chair as a baby and feed her until the plate was empty," Mom said.

"That's why we were chubby in all our baby pictures," Katy said.

"No, you were; you were just well-fed," mom answered.

Both Katy and Derek laughed.