Chapter 66

Clara's POV

I frantically turned behind me, my mind going into panic mode. Derek was just a few steps down the hall, his attention fixed on his phone as he continued walking.

I could feel my heart beat faster with every step that Derek took. Any more of this, and I'd collapse from a heart attack.

I couldn't risk the two of them ever meeting.

I've done way too many things for it to end like this. If Derek were going to find out, I'd rather be the one to tell him.

I did the only thing my brain could think of under so much pressure.

I quickly turned around and slammed the door into Waylen's face. This left him puzzled and his nose in pain. He took a step back, and for a second, he yelled out in pain.

I pressed my back against the door. Derek now stood a few steps in front of me as he looked up.

He stopped in front of me, his eyes staring at me suspiciously. His eyes then moved toward the door with a questioning look. It took him a few seconds to decide that I wasn't a flight risk and had not been doing anything suspicious.

By his expression, I could tell he had dismissed any thoughts he might have had.

"Do you want the cake or not?" He asked, facing me. "Your tantrums are only going to work against you." He added calmly.

Why was he here asking me about food when I told him I wasn't hungry? Besides, all the anxiety inside of me had more than sufficed for all the hunger I had.

"Just tell my mom to leave it on the counter," I answered dismissively.

He continued to stare at me, his suspicious look returning.

Why hadn't he left yet?

"What are you hiding?" he asked with his brow raised.

Why did he suddenly have to turn into a detective? I was surprised Waylen hadn't made another sound or even knocked yet.

"Nothing," I answered dismissively. "It's not like I'll be able to sneak in a bottle of alcohol or something," I replied, raising my hands to assure him that I wasn't hiding anything.

It seemed too soon for me to be throwing around such words. He didn't seem to get the joke.

"You should just go back inside, and I have a neighbour that I need to deal with outside. I'll be back in a few minutes." I said.

"Fine," he sighed. "I'll come back if you take longer than five minutes. If I don't find you, I'll call the police." He said.

He turned around and made his way back to the living room. I watched to make sure that he had completely disappeared.

I was getting tired of this side of him. Something had to change.

I opened the door again to Waylen, who held his nose, trying to prevent more blood from coming out of his nose. He used his other hand to wipe some blood off. Some of it was now covering his white shirt.

I felt a bit sorry for him, just a little bit.

This time, I stepped out, closing the door behind me.

Waylen now stared at me, annoyed, his cheeks reddened in anger. He fisted his hand while the other held his bloody nose.

"I knew it. You were cheating on me with that guy," Waylen exclaimed. He must have recognized Derek's voice. "I should have known better than to think that I could trust you." He yelled.

I couldn't have him yelling, Derek would come back, and this would have all been for nothing.

Besides, he was the last person to talk about trust. He left me with an unconscious man to deal with.

"No, I never cheated on you with him," I answered softly. "But he is here because he has been trying to find you. He has been trying to get all the information on you. You are lucky I haven't started talking. If he sees your face, he'll have you thrown in prison for what you did." I threatened.

Waylen's anger was now replaced by worry.Maybe Derek was right, and I could get a little creative. I needed to ensure he never reappeared, even if Derek wasn't here.

Whether he believed me or not was another issue, but he knew better than to mess with someone as powerful as Derek. Even I was bearing the consequences of it if only I'd known better.

"I don't know how often he will come here to get information, but my advice is to stay away from here and from me as far as possible." I continued.

"If you think you can replace me with that guy, you better think again." He answered. He paused for a moment as he weighed through all his options. "This won't be the last you see of me," He threatened.

He shot a dagger at me as I tried to remain confident.

What had I ever seen in him?

I opened the door and stepped back into the house.

I slammed the door again. This time, Waylen stepped back to prevent the door from slamming into his face.

I peeked through our keyhole as I watched him disappear. It was a relief to know that this would be the last time I would see him, hopefully. He was too big a coward ever to return. My threat had worked.

I sighed as I made my way back into the house. Facing Waylen made me a bit tougher and more courageous. With everything that has happened, I don't understand how it's possible that I haven't been caught yet. Maybe my luck will soon run out.