Clara's POVI looked at him awkwardly, faking a smile."Should I enter?" he inquired.He walked past me and into the room before I could respond.After him, I shut the door."Where did you go for your travels?" He gestured toward my suitcase across the hallway.I lied, saying, "No." "We wanted to donate some clothes," I pretended.Derek followed me into the living room. He sat on the couch and studied our family photos.He said, "You live in a beautiful home."That was his first kind remark to me.Why I felt uneasy around him all the time is beyond me. Was it something about me that was always lying around him, or was it something about him?I was startled out of my reverie when the doorbell rang.Mrs. Welson was grinning at me when I opened the door.She walked past me and said, "Good morning, dear." "I'm curious who owns that stunning vehicle. Whoever it is, caution should be taken to avoid being robbed." Ms. Welson carried on.Her eyes grew wide as she looked at Derek and then back

Clara's POV As I absorbed his words, the phone almost fell out of my grasp.The person said, "Are you still there?" with anxiety in his voice.My eyes filled with tears, and my lips dried up."Yes," I was able to respond.Now, Derek was looking at me, perplexed, trying to understand what was happening."Your mother is not doing well, as I have said. You must be here immediately." He said again.How could my mother have ended up this way? This morning, she was fine.I leaned on the wall for support as my legs became weaker.Derek saw how I was feeling. He grabbed the phone out of my shaking fingers and answered the man.He paced in place, listening to the guy on the phone.Where? Derek called and inquired.He hung up the phone a few seconds later.Derek gave me a severe look. It seemed like everything in my universe was crumbling. I had just my mother for a very long period."Let's go," said Derek.As we hurried to get to Derek's vehicle after leaving the clinic, he grabbed my hand.H

Clara's POVIvy's remarks caused my eyes to enlarge."To start with, it is unrelated to you. Second, I have a question for you." Derek held back. "You are such a letdown; are you sure your aunt didn't have a heart attack?" He went on.After hearing Derek's comments, I gasped. Although I was accustomed to his making fun of me, I hadn't anticipated him saying that.Ivy was shocked by his remarks as well.This needs to be stopped before it becomes worse.I interrupted, saying, "My mother is in there; show some respect."Derek was giving in little by little."I'd like you to go now. I don't want any fighting around my sister, who will arrive shortly." I said something.I covered my face as if I was crying. I believe I have become used to this. I need an Oscar handed to me.With a groan, Derek got up from his chair.What caught me off guard was what he did next. He didn't go away as I thought he would.Instead, he got up to hug me while softly stroking my hair. I didn't struggle with him t

Clara's POVI stopped."I know you people are trying to assist, but I'm incapable of doing this. I will be honest with him." I said something. "I simply want to get on with my life without so many falsehoods; I'm tired of this entire spectacle."Both Ivy and Katy looked at me in disbelief.Has she struck her head? Says Katy.Ivy decided, "It's probably because she is under a lot of stress.""No, I'm not kidding. I will be honest with him. Ever since the beginning of this entire incident, I've been living in continuous fear of being discovered. I don't want to live this way any longer; I've lied more in a day than my whole life. I don't want to forfeit what little dignity I still possess." I said something.Well, the end is nearly here. Telling him that you miscarried at that time is all that is needed. Ultimately, your mom is "ill." You may claim that the baby's closure was caused by stress." It was Ivy.Katy nodded in agreement with Ivy's approach."I'm not kidding; I'm overlying. I

Derek POVMy first sighting was of my cousin Vincent. He was at the far corner of the living room, at the bar. Three additional females were gathered around him. He never appeared to change; he was always the flirty guy he was.It appeared as if he couldn't get away from those females any quicker once he spotted me.He went away with his drink and came up to me, releasing the one female who had her arm looped in with his."Hello, cousin," Vincent said. "I'm so glad you could come. Grandpa's self-centred banter was starting to grow on me." He exhaled. He sipped from his beverage."Were those three not with you?" I gestured toward the females.They were waving to us, we observed."Talking about myself was starting to become old." He was honest.A waiter came over and gave me a drink.I looked over the throng for a time, trying to recognize anybody.That's Calvin, right? Observing an old buddy, I inquired. Vincent and I attended college together.He was conversing with an elderly woman i