Chapter 68

Clara's POV

Whose side was she on?

Derek nodded, agreeing with her before taking a deep breath.

"If you want your friend to stay at the company, you must ensure you never speak to her again." He said.

"So now you are making me choose between my friend and her job?" I asked.

"You have a choice. Are you going to let your sick friend's mother starve, or will you think about someone else yourself?" He asked.

That didn't seem like an option. I'd never allow Ivy to lose her job, especially if I could help it.

I crossed my arms, resting my back in my chair.

He smirked back at me as I glared at him.

Katy was watching the two of us amusingly, now sipping on her juice loudly to draw attention.

"How about we watch a documentary instead?" Katy suggested. "There is this cool show on how to hide a dead body."

"Only if he ends up in a shallow grave in our backyard," I answered, crossing my arms.

"It's going to take a lot more than those cute little eyes of yours to kill me, sweetheart." He mocked.

He was trying to get to me.

"You fired me and then had security throw me out like a common criminal," I fired at him.

"It was for your good." He smiled. "Besides, I have more good news. Since your mother dearest is leaving for a while and I obviously can't leave you alone here, you will have to come with me. We are going on a short trip to Greece," he announced.

My jaw nearly dropped.

Katy stared at the two of us, her eyes filled with amusement.

"You can't do that. I'm not going anywhere with you," I answered. "I'll report you for kidnapping me," I threatened.

"You can try. Besides, we've already been through this. I can't trust you enough to leave you alone." He answered.

"So now you are threatening me to leave with you? My mother is going to file a restraining order against you when she finds out. You are just trying to take advantage of the fact that she will be gone for a while," I said.

"I'm pretty sure she would agree with me when she finds out that you are trying to poison our child." "Fine, I'll just go and tell your mother about how you are poisoning our baby. Then she can keep an eye on you for me. That'll solve most of my problems." He answered.

My mom couldn't find out. She'd never trust me with anything with as much as one percent alcohol content, not even mouthwash.

I was losing this battle. There was no negotiation with Derek, especially not in this condition.

"You are out of your mind," I exclaimed, pushing myself out of my chair.

He did nothing but stare at me like a lunatic. I stared at the food on the table. I took three closed bowls from the table, balancing them the best I could. "I'm taking this with me," I announced.

I had officially turned into a lunatic.

I stormed out of the dining room before stopping halfway. "By the way, I'm only taking this so you won't have it!" I yelled back at him.

"Good," he yelled back.

*****

I woke up to some gentle strokes in my hair. At first, it felt relaxing until my mind finally registered.

My eyes shot open to see Katy lying beside me.

"Good morning," she whispered.

I pushed away from her, letting out a sigh.

"Since you acted like a baby last night, I might as well treat you like one." She answered. "Good thing you are not having a real baby; otherwise, it would have to do all the parenting." She added.

"Just get out," I answered, sitting up straight.

Katy obliged as she moved off my bed.

"Good news, Mom is packing her bags to leave, and you will be leaving soon, so I'll be home alone," Katy announced.

Was mom being serious? She has never left the house to go anywhere. I thought she'd talk herself out of it.

"I'd never allow that," I answered, putting my feet on the side of my bed. "You should get out of here and get ready for school," I added.

Katy shook her head at me in disapproval as she made her way out of my room.

I slipped into my morning shoes and pushed my hair back to move it away from my face.

I needed to be sure for myself that Mom was leaving.

I made my way downstairs, hearing the sound of a suitcase being dragged to the door.

There were two suitcases left beneath the staircase.

Seeing those bags made it feel even more real. She was leaving. Despite everything, she was always the only constant in my life, despite everything falling apart. All the emotions I had been suppressing were finally starting to sink in.

I continued walking down and stopped at the bottom of the staircase.

"You are awake, "Mom m said as she approached me to take her next bag.

I didn't answer. Instead, I just stared back at her. It took me a while to realise that I had started shaking and crying.

Without hesitation, she pulled me into a hug.

"It's okay, baby, it would all be alright." She whispered.

"I promise that when I get back, I will make things all better. It's going to be okay." She said assuringly, her eyes tightening around me.

But it wasn't.

She pulled away from me and wiped tears from my cheeks.

Right at that moment, I realised something. She was the only one who could help me out of this situation I'd gotten myself involved in with Derek. I was going to tell her everything, the whole truth.

She would not agree with what I did, but she would understand. Perhaps she would help me and know how to explain this to Derek better.

I was getting into trouble because I kept inventing more lies and hiding things. Right now, only the truth could save me.

"Mommy," I whispered, nearly choking on my tears.

She smiled back at me, wiping away the last tears streaming down my cheeks.

"I did something stupid," I confessed.

She paused, her eyes now holding a more concerned look.

"What is it?" she whispered.

I took a deep breath to gather my words.

Right then, the doorbell rang.