Clara's POVTaking one last look around the apartment, I grinned. I was probably going to be here for the final time.I could hear conversations outside. Was Derek Montenegro here, could that be?Recalling Marcus's warmth, I was terrified—Derek shouldn't see me here. This job paid far more than the ordinary hotel, so I couldn't lose it. I would have finished much sooner if Waylen hadn't phoned. This was all his fault.I strained to think of what to do next, and my brain froze.I said to myself, "Hide."I bolted from the living room, hiding behind the wall dividing it from the hallway.There was so much space here that I doubt he could have found me.The sound of footsteps became louder as the door opened."This is what happens, sir, when you try to drink more than your cousin and grandpa together. They are both functionally intoxicated." Someone spoke.I glanced to see what was going on.Derek Montenegro was here, as certain as the day.He was with another man who carried him to the

Clara's POV His hands were clasped at his temples.If he was this logical when inebriated, I can't fathom what kind of person he was when sober. I had nearly forgotten he was inebriated. What are the possibilities that he would forget any of this occurred, with him this inebriated?"I'm having a headache right now because of you and your miserable life," he said, placing his palm on his forehead. "I need you to leave right now." He went on.He let go of his phone.Did he mention that he wanted me to go? He made no mention of firing me.No, I was misinterpreting; he most likely intended for me to go and never return. Stated differently, I lost my job."Please sir, don't fire me." I kept on pleading.The water trickling from my damp hair had become indistinguishable from my tears.With a groan, he left the bedroom.I kept up my tail and followed him.He had come past the living room, and I had halted in my tracks."Do I have to open the door for you to leave?" He exhaled."Please, sir,

Clara's POVI said, "You are a heartless monster.""Reduce your drama. It's likely that the booze has simply knocked him unconscious; he'll be fine when he wakes up in a few hours. I hope he forgets this whole thing that never occurred." Waylen said this casually.How had I missed this aspect of him before? I never got a good look at the man in front of me throughout the entire time I was with him. How could I have been so foolish and gullible as to fall for his ruses?"You wouldn't want your poor mother to find out that you are now a whore, would you? I'm just doing you a favour. The embarrassment you would cause your family. not to mention if you wind up in jail." He laughed.Though I felt absolutely helpless, I wanted to show him that he was mistaken, that his words couldn't weaken me, and that they were just meaningless threats. Perhaps because I knew he was only partly correct, Derek would undoubtedly throw the two of us in jail. Was there any way that stating the truth would hel

Clara's POVDerek placed the bucket on the ground next to him and gave me a furious look. He was still shirtless in his chest and wearing sweatpants.The first thing that struck me was that, thankfully, he was still alive. When it eventually dawned on me that I was half nude in his bed, I realised that I was not going to go to prison for helping to commit a murder. I could only imagine the multitude of ideas buzzing through his head. This time, I was screwed; there was no turning back. This is probably the point at which my life ends. I’m quite convinced we were going to wind up in prison after everything Waylen tried to keep 'us' out of there. Everything was going to come to light.His demeanour abruptly improved as he moved in closer and perched on the edge of the bed, appearing a little more composed."Are you going to explain everything that happened last night?" questioned the man. His gaze lingered on mine, waiting for a response.My heart felt like it was about to burst from

Clara's POVOur front entrance and our little gate were both open. When I first entered the house, everything was in disarray: documents were scattered across the floor, the table was turned upside down, and the couch had been pushed to one side."Mom," I exclaimed. I went where the noises in the kitchen led.With a panicked voice, Mom said, "Clara, step back." Katy was standing behind her, tears welling up in her eyes.I spotted Dad at that point, looking around the kitchen wildly. His entire body shook, and he exuded restlessness and agitation. I saw the beads of sweat on his brow. This was terrible; he was going through withdrawals once more. This indicated that he was in a desperate situation and would stop at nothing to obtain money so that he could purchase booze.The drawers of every cupboard were ajar."Dad, what is going on here?" I said something.He halted his movement to look at me."Don't try to father me; I'm not your dad. Your mother is a whore who has no idea who y