Home / Romance / Second Chance For Him? / 102. Stand up for myself

Share

102. Stand up for myself

Author: Queen Ash
last update Last Updated: 2025-02-14 19:49:05

Clara's POV

I watched the cars go by in front of me, my mind blank. Right now, I'm sitting by myself in a coffee shop. The order I placed a while back is still sitting untouched because I just don't feel like eating anything at the moment.

I really want to head back to the apartment right now, but I’d rather not run into James again. Why does my ex-husband keep leaving me more and more confused about what he truly wants?

I'm confused by his attitude of not wanting to let me go even though we officially divorced five years ago. Why can't he just leave my life in peace and always feel the need to interfere in everything I do?

I'm feeling increasingly restless as the day gets brighter. My daughter is probably awake by now and likely searching for me. I need to call Lily to check if James has left yet, but I accidentally left my phone. So, how can I tell if James has left or not at this point?

The coffee shop seemed to be getting more and more crowded. I was so caught up in my thoughts t
Continue to read this book for free
Scan code to download App
Locked Chapter

Related chapters

  • Second Chance For Him?   103. Meeting someone

    Keith's POVAfter leaving James' office building, I hop back into my car. I ran my fingers through my hair in frustration. He's once he's trying to prove he’s better than me. That he can keep her safe better than I can.Anger coursed through every part of me. Why did Clara just go along with James' decision so easily? She stated that she won't allow him to interfere in her life any longer. But why didn't she let me know the moment James switched to the job I handed over to Stevan to the person of his choice?Could it be, that Clara still also has feelings for him?I’ve told her countless times that she deserves someone way better than my brother. It was time for her to let go of everything related to her ex-husband and begin a new life with someone new. After they got divorced, I figured they would move on and sever any lingering connections between them. But it turns out it's not as simple as I thought, since her life is still so connected to his. Fuck. But seriously. Given everythi

    Last Updated : 2025-02-14
  • Second Chance For Him?   104. Tense

    Clara's POVWhen I got back to the apartment, Lily was there alone, looking really relieved to see me. I felt a sense of relief seeing that James wasn't around anymore. Good, at least he still has some self-consciousness not to stick around until I return.I didn't see Arlo anywhere. But I was sure he was keeping an eye on the apartment complex and would follow us wherever Lily and I went. Lily noticed me glancing around and said. "Hey, where have you been? He's home. Don't worry."I let out a sigh of relief."Do you know who I'm running to today?" I flopped onto the sofa, feeling completely wiped out even though I hadn't done anything strenuous today. "You won't believe this." "Who? Stevan?" Lily looked at me with a glimmer of hope in her eyes. I can't help but give a downward smile, I know Lily was so disappointed when James transferred Stevan's job to Arlo and made Stevan have to leave. I told you that the root of today's problem is James. "If you're already missing him, you co

    Last Updated : 2025-02-15
  • Second Chance For Him?   105. The bodyguard

    Clara’s POV“Mommy?”Our chat got cut short when my daughter came over to us. I got up right away. I pushed aside all my thoughts about James and walked over to my daughter, wrapping her in a warm hug for a moment.“Did you just wake up? Feeling like grabbing a bite?""I've been awake for a while." She said, there was a slight concern on her face.Layla seems a little frightened. I shot a quick look at Lily, raising an eyebrow in curiosity. What’s going on? Did James meet Layla? Is that why she looked so scared?"Really?""Yes. I was too scared to step out of my bedroom since I could hear a commotion happening outside." Layla said. "It sounded like there was a fight going on, and I also heard you shouting, Mommy. Are you fighting with someone?"I think it was when I shared my frustration with James earlier. I smiled, aiming to offer her a comforting expression. She shouldn't stress about what just occurred because I won't allow this issue to affect her."Mommy didn't put up a fight. I

    Last Updated : 2025-02-16
  • Second Chance For Him?   106. A friend

    Clara's POVAs I walked back into the apartment, I caught the sound of waves of laughter coming from the TV room. I recognize one of them is Lily's voice. And It got me thinking about who she was chatting with. Is it possible that it's the nurse?Every day when the nurse arrives, Lily puts on a poker face and acts all stiff. She wasn't fond of being examined, and she directed her frustration at the nurse. I walked into the living room and noticed she was with a woman I didn't recognize. They're sharing a laugh. When Lily's gaze landed on me, she paused and stood up. "Oh, my cousin is back!" Lily exclaimed.Seeing the stranger in our apartment, my daughter rushed into her room, she is not used to having other people here. I placed the groceries on the table and walked over to them. "Clara, I'm sorry for not letting you know beforehand that I would have guests over today. I hope you're not upset" Lily said to me.Her friends get to her feet. She's a gorgeous woman, probably about our

    Last Updated : 2025-02-16
  • Second Chance For Him?   107. Deeptalk

    Clara's POV"I feel like there's something off about your friend Lily." After Krystal left, I finally spoke up about what was bothering me, and now it was just me and Lily together.Don't get me wrong, it's not I don't want her to think that I don't like her. She seems like a decent woman, nothing about her indicates she's a criminal or anything like that. But something about her is just suspicious, I know you must have had that feeling sometime. Something feels off, but you just can't put your finger on it."I don't know why but she gives me an uneasy feeling," I said, giving an apologetic smile. I honestly feel bad to say this. But Lily doesn't stop asking me what's wrong since Krystal left and I suppose she also notices my anxiety.“Did she say something that upset you while I wasn’t paying attention?” Lily is asking me. Her expression was strict and grave. "No! No!" I said right away.I absolutely don't want my relationship with Krystal to become strained just because of this u

    Last Updated : 2025-02-17
  • Second Chance For Him?   108. Matchmaking

    Clara's POVI didn't want to spoil the vibe, so I set aside any doubts I had about Krystal and went along with the plan for dinner together. Maybe Lily was onto something; perhaps I was just having negative thoughts. Now, as we go out together with my daughter, Krystal is always trying to brighten the mood. Krystal's inviting and cheerful personality is why my daughter said yes when I asked her out tonight."Here is good but I like New York better since all of my friends are here," Layla said. Krystal started the light chat with my daughter joked about several things and shared some laughs about various topics. "New York, it's a dream for everyone else including me. Once my career is stable enough I think I'd like to live there." Krystal said."Can we be a neighbor when you move there?" Layla asked and it made me can't help but smile.Yet there was a realization tugged on me hearing that; in our apartment neighborhood, there are very few children her age, almost none. I didn't reali

    Last Updated : 2025-02-17
  • Second Chance For Him?   109. Ruined my life

    Clara's POVIs this the reason why Keith refused when I wanted to meet him? Because his family has arranged for him to meet that woman tonight? I couldn't quite find who the woman was, I'm sure I'd never seen her before. But the way his family reacted to her, made it clear she held a special significance to his family.I dropped my gaze, feeling a strange burning sensation in my chest from the sudden realization. I just clenched my hand when there was nothing more I could do to express it."Hey Clara, you alright?" I heard Krystal's voice just as she came up behind me.I couldn't look at the view before me any longer, so I turned around and left.I hurried to the bathroom, not wanting Lily or Layla to catch a glimpse of how I was feeling. When I got there, I tried to focus on calming my heartbeat.Why do I feel this way? I can't help but wonder. Am I feeling down because Keith lied to me, or is it because him having dinner with that woman? And not just an ordinary dinner. His family

    Last Updated : 2025-02-18
  • Second Chance For Him?   110. The answer

    Clara's POVKrystal reached the room with all the Morgan family members gathered before I could stop her. The event came to a sudden halt as we got into the room. They frowned, their displeasure evident as they fixed their gaze on us, the uninvited guests. "Who are you?" Iris Morgan inquired, a frown creasing her forehead. When her gaze finally landed on me standing behind Krystal, her lips pressed together.She didn't ask any more questions, as if she could already guess who Krystal was just because I was here. The moment Keith's Keith looked my way, I noticed his lips moving as he seemed to say something, but I couldn't catch what it was from my spot."I'm sorry for interrupting the event, but I just have to share something with all of you," Krystal said without any hesitation."First of all, who are you?" It was James who answered her while the other family members appeared to still be too puzzled by Krystal unexpected appearance. James glanced at Krystal for a moment before his

    Last Updated : 2025-02-19

Latest chapter

  • Second Chance For Him?   231. Dimmed light

    Keith's POVHave you ever felt that moment when you finally get what you want, yet it leaves you with an emptiness? The satisfaction, happiness, and sense of victory that should have accompanied it, seem to just vanish into thin air.I feel completely empty, lacking any sense of fulfillment even after finally being able to breathe the fresh air outside the damned cell. This should be the moment for me to go ahead and carry out my plan. Without Clara by my side, the spark of life within me has... faded away.What did I do wrong?What did I do to deserve her hatred?Maybe, I have gone too far. But believe me, I did this solely because I wanted her to return to me, as she was meant to. Clara belongs to me.Back in those times when my brother treated her more like a disgrace than a wife, I was always there by her side. I knew that her life had been never easy, so I ensured that in our fake and cold social sphere, she had at least one person she could truly call a friend.This feeling th

  • Second Chance For Him?   230. A friend of hers

    Clara's POVI finally met up with Lily on the same day. But not at the penthouse where her friend took her; instead, it was at one of the cafes. Lily said that her friend is somewhat shy and doesn't like to meet new people. I don't mind about the meeting location, as long as I can finally see her and make sure she's okay."Clara," Lily got to her feet as soon as I got to her table. I was silent, completely at a loss for words. What left me utterly speechless wasn't her, but rather her 'friend.' So this is the man she has been calling friend all along? I needed to raise my gaze when he finally got up. I'm not sure of his exact height, but it's pretty obvious that he's around 6,7 feet tall. He's so handsome, but not in the typical way that most looks. I have no idea where Lily even met him. "Hey, you must be Clara. Great to meet you." He said, reaching out his hand. I accepted his handshake even though the way he was looking at me made me feel a shiver down my spine. It feels like

  • Second Chance For Him?   229. What she has in mind

    Clara's POV"We’ve located the address. It's still in New York." James said. I quickly got up and made my way over to him and his subordinates who assisted us in locating Lily. Since I didn't have much information about her actual location, we just tracked her using the number she called me. I have no idea whose number it was. James shared with me the outcome of Lily's whereabouts. And sure enough, it's still in New York City. I narrowed my eyes, spotting the spot where the phone number was located. The area felt somewhat familiar.I realized it's due to its spot in the city center; the location is pretty upscale. But Lily mentioned that she was kidnapped. I never even thought about this place before. The person who kidnapped her definitely wasn't poor; they could afford to live in that neighborhood. "Do you happen to know anyone who lives there, Miss? Could it be her friend?"I just shook my head. Unfortunately, I don't know who Lily's friends are around here. I don't have their

  • Second Chance For Him?   228. Proposed

    Lily's POVAshley snatched the phone from my hand just as I was about to wrap up my conversation with Clara. Shit! “You said you were only going to order food? Who did you just ring up?" She asked, her voice raised. "I-" For a moment, I found myself hesitant, too anxious to answer after just being caught red-handed. But suddenly, it dawned on me that I really shouldn't have. Cause there's no chance I'm sticking around here forever, right? Iits my right if I tried to find a way to escape this place.I don’t need to be scared. Especially since Dominic's actions went against my wishes. I can't just accept this and remain quiet. I have to stand my ground. "Answer me." "Yes!. I just called the cops!" I responded with just as much intensity. Ashley was mistaken if she thought I would feel intimidated simply due to my status as a captive. She just confronted Lily Russel. She had no idea how headstrong I could be. “Cops?”"Yes! Soon they'll come and arrest your master. Does he believ

  • Second Chance For Him?   227. Got kidnapped

    Clara's POVWhen I woke up, my body was aching. I spent a few minutes stretching before getting up to check on Layla. She was still asleep, so I went to the kitchen to get a drink and then headed to the living room. I settled into the couch, my gaze locked on the door.I was kind of hoping it would open and that Lily would appear. She really should have come back to let me know that she was okay. Instead of just vanishing without any trace.Lily already mentioned she wouldn't be staying in my apartment forever, but she hasn't said when she's planning to move out. I didn't expect that she would move out this quickly, especially without giving me a heads-up. Opening my phone, I tried to dial her number. "Can you please answer it, Lily?" I began to feel that anxiety creeping back in.Once more, an automated voice picked up the call. I didn't have the number for her friend to reach out to and I had no idea where to find her. She really shouldn't have just vanished like this.Her careles

  • Second Chance For Him?   226. My girlfriend

    Lily's POVMy head hurt, I blinked a few times, trying to lift myself. I reached out for anything nearby to steady myself."Ouch, what just happened to me?" I rubbed my temples. It feels just like that moment when I dozed off at three in the afternoon and woke up all confused. I can't even tell if it's day or night. I can't even tell where I am right now.I shifted my gaze to the unfamiliar room around me. This isn't Clara's place. I didn't even like the apartment I checked out to live in. This feels like it’s straight out of a penthouse, something I could never dream of affording. How did I end up here in the first place?I tried to remember what was happening before I lost consciousness and the memory slowly came back into my mind. Oh, god....Keith Morgan came to Clara's apartment. He claimed that he wanted to see me. And then...That dick! He drugged me! He applied something to that cloth that caused me to pass out. Before he did, I recall him mentioning that someone wanted to m

  • Second Chance For Him?   225. He's free, and I'm trapped.

    Lily's POVA week later.I got back to Clara's apartment in NYC three days ago. Clara, James, Layla, and I are heading back to New York today. I had to leave before them because of some things I needed to take care of. I just finished my shower and answered a call from my mother, she asked how everything was going. Before I left LA, I told them that besides meeting Clara, I was going to look for a job here. It wasn't a lie, I want the opportunity to work in this city.My phone buzzed with another incoming call. “What’s up, Josh?” I nervously bit my tongue, waiting for his response. Why did he call me? Is it related to that man again? "Are you still in Italy?" "No. I'm back here again. What is it?" “Sounds good, let’s meet up. I have so much I want to share with you."“Yeah, of course.”I'll head to the airport to pick up Clara in the evening and I don't have anything planned for today beside it. It's still early, and rather than sitting here feeling bored, why not take Josh up on

  • Second Chance For Him?   224. His ex-wife

    Selena's POVAs soon as I received a call from Mrs. Iris Morgan, I grabbed my purse and headed downstairs right away. I hopped in a taxi to her penthouse and told the driver to speed like the wind. Keith is free.Can you even believe that? At last, he's out of prison. I'm not sure what finally clicked for James Morgan and made him see things differently. I'm glad he finally understood that his actions towards Keith were unacceptable. How could he possibly lock up his brother just for that woman?As soon as I got there, I settled up with the driver and made my way to Iris's floor. As I reached the door, I pushed it open just like she instructed and stepped into the main room. Seeing Keith there made my heart burst with joy. I held back the impulse to shout with happiness and strolled over to him."Keith!" I exclaimed, "Oh thank God! You are finally free! You finally made it out of that awful place! At last, James had a change of heart and let you go!" I couldn't hold back my joy, s

  • Second Chance For Him?   223. He's free

    Clara's POVThe dinner was great. I have no regrets about accepting James' invitation. He's sticking to his word about just wanting to have dinner together and nothing more. And now, we’re strolling through the vast green fields that stretch out on either side of us. Pine trees standing tall, white cobblestone path under our feet."What does Layla think of this trip so far? Is she feeling happy?" James asked. As I glanced over at him, I noticed a worry etched on his face. “She is.” He probably noticed it on his own. Layla hasn't stopped smiling since we got here. I'm thankful that I agreed with James when he decided to invite her on this trip. Took a break from my hectic daily routine and flew to this gorgeous place made me feel like I didn't want to go back. Why can't I just stay here forever? I took out my phone to snap some pictures of the stunning scenery when I heard James ask. "How about you?""Sorry, what did you just say?" I wasn't quite catching what he was asking abou

Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status