Chapter 73

Clara's POV

Derek?" she asked next.

I nearly choked on my drink. I had to blink a few times before I could process that question.

I coughed, clearing my airways before I could speak again. "We are not getting married," I clarified.

Where did that idea even come from?

"Come on, you can be honest with me. You don't just get pregnant without wanting a stake in the fortune." She winked.

This was where she was heading with it. I didn't have any money; I worked as a maid, so I must only be after Derek's money.

I tried my best to remain calm.

"I'm not planning anything," I answered. I tried not to sound defensive as much as I could. I didn't want to show her that her words rattled me.

I wasn't going to allow her to ruin my morning. But I wanted to get out of here as soon as possible.

She gave me a fake smile as she poured a cup of steaming coffee for herself.

They must have set the table not too long before I got here.

We spent the next two minutes in silence as I finished my plate. I was ready to leave when two equally annoying voices approached us.

Jocelyn's eyes brightened as two women approached us.

I thought I'd be having breakfast in a private area, but now it turns out not to be so remote.

"Jocelyn," the two women greeted her.

"Ellianna and Noemi, so gracious of you to join us." Jocelyn acknowledged them.

With the way the two women were dressed, it screamed trust fund or a very rich husband. I was guessing it was both.

"Who is your little friend?" the one woman asked as she eyed me.

"Noemi, you remember Derek Montenegro, right?" Jocelyn asked.

"Of course, who doesn't know him?" Noemi responded.

"Well, she is his little... project." Jocelyn hesitantly answered.

I didn't want to be that girl from the hood who ended up beating up a bunch of rich snobs, but right now, the thought seemed tempting. Why kill someone with kindness when you can just knock them out with your fist?

The two ladies had their eyes widened; they didn't need anyone to invite them for a seat.

"That explains the clothes," Ellianna answered.

"Don't be so mean. She is pregnant, and you wouldn't want anything happening to her baby." Jocelyn laughed.

"Oh, how far along are you?" Noemi asked. A more serious expression now occupied her face.

"About five weeks," I replied hesitantly, tracing my lie.

"Oh, you look a lot bigger than I would've expected," Noemi commented.

Why had I even bothered entertaining them? This was all my fault.

"Don't be so mean, Noemi, and it's not her fault the poor thing doesn't normally get food like this." Ellianna laughed.

"I'm sure this place must be such a step up from the bump you are used to." Jocelyn mocked.

"Please excuse me," I said with clenched teeth. My chair nearly fell as I pushed it back.

I walked a few steps further down towards the pool. I needed space away from them. I couldn't stand them for another second.

I thought being away from them would be enough to calm me, but it only made things worse. When I neared the pool, I was completely out of breath as I ran through some breathing techniques.

'You need to calm down, Clara,' I reminded myself.

I tried focusing my eyes on the water, but at some point, it calmed me down.

I couldn't breathe. I felt like my lungs were slowly closing up. My chest was on fire.

They were completely right about me. I might not have done this for money, but it was just as terrible. I came from nothing. I had no business thinking that I belonged here. People like me don't travel to places like these.

My breathing only seemed to be getting worse. I didn't know why I felt this way. I haven't experienced this in years.

My mind was all over the place, a million things racing forward.

I needed to talk to my sister. I hadn't heard from her in hours, and who knows what could have happened to her? She is still a minor, and she very well could have been murdered while I was here. I was a terrible sister and an even worse human being.

My trembling hands made it difficult to get a firm grip on my phone. I was losing control, and nothing worked out how I wanted.

Now I could barely see straight, I was dizzy, and all I wanted was to hold on to something for support.

I felt a hand on my shoulder. For a moment, I thought I would be okay. Maybe that was just what I needed to help me get through this moment.

Before I even had another second to react, I was falling into the water.

I gasped, the cold water sending shivers down my skin. But it wasn't enough to calm me down. I felt even worse than before.

And suddenly, I was reliving my childhood all over again.

I was in the water, and I was drowning, losing focus and all the strength I had. All the memories I buried deep within me came back to resurface.

I was slowly sinking to the bottom of the pool. All I could see was a shadow standing above the pool as I struggled to breathe and keep myself from slipping.

Everything in me wanted to survive, but it wasn't enough. Along the way, my body slowly lost power as everything turned pitch-black, the water overtaking me. Maybe this was the end of me.

A/N: I promise the next chapter will be more interesting. Thanks for reading.