4. Nobody’s daughter

Clara's POV

"You can stay in your old room," Lily said as we reached the second floor of my uncle's house.

"Is it alright for you to bring me here?" I’m asking because I remember Auntie Jena doesn’t like having me at her house at all.

"Yes. Don't worry about Mom and Dad, I will speak to them."

"Thank you so much, Lily."

When Lily left, I stepped into my old bedroom. This space was once a storehouse; this room just had a single bed and a wardrobe, we didn't have money to purchase additional furniture back then. 

Once I got married, it looked like my uncle and aunt decided to leave this room unoccupied. I got into the shower and slipped into my old pajamas. Then a wave of drowsiness washed over me, and I drifted off to sleep. 

The sun was shining brilliantly when I woke up the next morning. I hopped into the shower and threw on some clothes. I was brushing my hair when there was a knock echoed from the door. 

"Wait a minute..." 

I rushed to open the door and saw David, my older cousin, standing on the doorstep.

I quickly stepped back. Throughout my time here, David treated me poorly, and it left me with trauma. 

"Look who's here. What are you doing in my house, little sister? Did your husband kick you out of his house? Does he not want you anymore?"

David dragged me out of the room.

"David, stop it! Please let me go!"

"Don't think you can order me around in my own house, bitch. Now that you're here again, you're just a maid for me."

Every time I think back on how Uncle Thomas and Auntie Jena treated me like a maid, it fills me with a deep sense of sadness. Lily was the only one who showed me kindness.

"But by the way, you've gotten even sexier, Clara. You live a dream life after selling your virginity to that wealthy man, huh?" David smirked.

I feel so humiliated. What he just said made me remember how much he tried to assault me before.

Before I could think, my hand slapped his face. “Mind your words, David!”

David recoiled, his eyes wide with disbelief. 

"You're getting too bold, little slut. You'll remember this forever when I strip all of this arrogance from you!"

David's grip tightened on my hair, causing me to cry out. Then his hand began to explore my body. I called out for help, and that’s when I heard the sound of footsteps climbing the stairs.

Auntie Jena looked shocked, while Lily tried to free me from David's grasp.

"David, are you crazy?! What are you trying to do to Clara?" Lily snapped at her brother.

Auntie Jena looked more worried about my presence than what her son was about to do to me. 

"Clara, since when did you come to my house? What do you need here?"

I caught a glimpse of Lily as she nervously bit her lip. 

"Auntie, I want to stay for a few days if you allow me."

"Stay here? Why?" She realized something was off. "What happened? Don't tell me you made James angry enough for him to throw you out, did you? Answer me, stupid girl!"

Her sentence feels like a slap to me.

"You can't do this, Clara. Do you want to sacrifice your uncle's business again? You know how important James' money is to keeping your uncle's business running, don't you? Go back to James and apologize to him until he forgives you."

"I can't, auntie... "

James had hurt me; I always did what Uncle and Auntie asked, but this time I couldn't do it.

"Tell me what happened, or I'll beat you to death!"

I had insisted on not sharing my pregnancy with anyone yet. They didn't know about Zoe, but in time, they would discover the truth, wouldn't they?

"James plans to divorce me."

The color faded from Auntie Jena's face when I said that. The pallor was swiftly overtaken by a surge of anger. Before I could fully grasp what was happening, she yanked me closer and struck my face with such force that I fell to the side.

As if the slap wasn't enough, she began to kick me repeatedly. I nestled in reflexively, wrapping my arms around my body. My baby! I have to protect it! 

"Please forgive me, Auntie; please stop.." I pleaded, clutching my belly firmly. Too much pain leaving me feeling overwhelmed.

Lily tried to stop her mom while David observed us with a smirk.

"Mom, stop! It wasn't Clara's fault! James had hurt her! Stop this, Mom!"

"Don't defend her, Lily. This stupid girl must have made him mad. Now tell me what you did to make James that angry?"

I shook my head as Auntie Jena insisted I look up and respond to her question.

"Whatever happened between you two, you can't let him divorce you, or I'll make you regret every single one of your choices, you foolish girl."

She remarked and turned to leave, David trailing behind her. Only Lily stayed; she helped me stand up. Her face filled with pity.

"I'm so sorry Clara. I didn't expect Mom would react like this."

I shook my head. "Lily, this isn't on you. Thank you for allowing me to stay overnight."

Uncle and Auntie would not welcome me again, even only for a moment. I decided to leave today, even though I did not know where I would stay.

As I walked by the living room, I realized that this house had been renovated since I was last here. The arrival of new furniture and a fresh car in the garage hinted that Uncle Thomas' business was picking up steam again.

I feel happy for them.

"That stupid Clara will only destroy our plans if James is going to divorce her. She's so ungrateful, just like her mother."

I was just about to open the front door when I heard Aunt Jena's voice.

"If James goes through with the divorce, we need to have alternative options to ensure he continues providing me with capital." Uncle Thomas answered.

"What if we ask Lily to seduce James and steal him away from Clara? It won't be a challenge; after all, our daughter Lily is far more beautiful than that stupid and useless girl."

I swiftly pressed my hand to my mouth, trying to hold back the sobs that threatened to escape as Aunt Jena's words replayed in my mind.