CHAPTER 5

I never thought heartbreak could evolve into something... deeper. The pain I felt after hearing Spencer's revelations about the sins Derrick had hidden behind his charming smile was too much.

However, I rejected Spencer's offer.

I didn't trust him.

But when I entered the mansion, I heard laughter. Getting to the living room, I saw Florida in Derrick's lap, both of them kissing passionately, practically devouring each other's mouths.

Pain overtook me again.

And I turned away to escape the torture, but Florida's voice made me halt.

"Oh, for God's sake, Clara." She snapped, shoving Derrick's arm off her waist as she stood up.

"Can you stop lurking around like a ghost? Why don't you just accept the truth that your marriage is over? Derrick is mine now, so go rent an apartment while he processes your divorce."

Her words struck me harder than a slap. My lips parted, but no sound came out.

Derrick rose calmly and adjusted his shirt.

"Florida is right." He said. "You need to move out, Clara. I can help you with the money."

I clenched my palms tightly, nails digging into skin. "I don't need your help. And if I leave this house, I leave with Rose."

Derrick's expression hardened, and Florida's smug smile stretched wider.

"You think you can just take her?" Derrick scoffed. "You're bankrupt, Clara. You have no home, no resources, nothing. Even the court wouldn't give you custody. Do you think Rose would leave her comfortable life to live in your mess?"

My eyes reddened at his guts. "You did it on purpose, you loaned all that money to keep me in debt?"

"What do you think? That I'll allow a woman like you to mother my child? How do you think she'd react knowing her mother is a thief?" He leans in so close that I can smell his cologne-the same one I bought him for our first anniversary.

Even though his words stings, I forced confidence into my tone. "I'm going to see my daughter and you won't stop me,"

"No," He cuts me off. "What you're going to do is go in there, pack your miserable things and get the fuck out of our lives. This house, this life, none of it is yours anymore,"

The words stab me like a knife to the heart. "Three years, Derrick... three years and it all meant nothing to you?"

"It all means nothing compared to her." He steps forward. "Move Clara. I give you five minutes to get your trash and get out of my face before I do something you'll regret."

After talking to me like I was garbage, he walked back to Florida with a wide smile. My legs feel like jelly, my head is spinning, and my heart-it feels like it's been ripped out of my chest.

But I have to keep moving. I have to survive. For my baby.

For a moment, I just stood there watching them cuddle in a way that made my skin crawl.

Then I walked upstairs, my voice calling for my daughter. I was about to pull open one of the doors when sharp, manicured nails dug into mine.

I flinched and turned behind to find Florida with an evil grin on her face.

My face burns as that familiar feeling rushes back up my throat.

Rage, pure, blinded rage.

I hate her.

I hate her so much.

"It hurts, right? Watching me be all lovey-dovey with him?" She smirked. "I guess you'll never be good enough no matter how hard you try,"

"You home-wrecking bitch! How dare you destroy my marriage and try to manipulate my daughter and-!"

"Destroy your marriage?" she chuckled quietly, her eyes shining with mockery. "Don't fool yourself. Derrick and I are in love. We've always been in love,"

She snarls and tries to attack me, but I move back and pull my fingers together like I was taught in prison before sending my fist flying right into her jaw.

A blood-curdling scream wracks out of her mouth as her lips split open, paving the way for red liquid to spurt out.

Good.

Without thinking, I send my arms forward, shoving her out of the room before slamming the door closed and locking it as I hear Derrick pounding on the door.

"CLARA LAURENT!"

At that moment, my phone chimes, and I rush towards it. Sliding it open, the text I'm met with instantly has the blood draining from my face as I stagger backwards.

No...!

There's no way in hell this is happening!

CHAPTER 6

Clara's POV

The headline doesn't make sense at first. I stare at it, waiting for my brain to catch up.

After a gruesomely long while, it finally does.

[CLARA LAURENT STALKS EX-HUSBAND DERRICK ANTHONY]

My thumb hovers over the screen, then scrolls automatically as I hastily refresh the pages. Article after article loads, all saying the fucking same thing in different words.

Anonymous sources, concerned insiders. Claims that I had been showing up uninvited, refusing to accept the end of my marriage, and creating disturbances.

Mentally unwell.

My chest tightens.

"This isn't real," I mutter.

I scroll faster, panic creeping in as I recognize some photos. The gate. The driveway. I was standing outside the house last night, my face half-hidden, frozen in a moment I didn't know was being recorded.

So this is what she's been doing.

"You're shaking."

Florida's sarcastic voice comes from behind me.

I turn slowly and see she's leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed and watching me with puckered lips.

"What... what is this?" I grip my phone. "What in the world is this?!"

"Oh, that?"

She tilted her head, a small laugh tugging at her lips. "Just a little fun. Thought I'd see how long you could last before losing it."

I instantly felt my blood boil. "Fun? You call this fun? You've gone too far, Florida. Explain it!"

"You saw it?" She asks lightly. "Oh, good. I was worried you'd miss your debut."

I stand so fast the ottoman screeches against the floor. "What the hell is this? Why are you spreading false rumours? I'm mentally unwell?"

She shrugs. "Relax. I just told the truth."

"The truth?" I laugh. "You framed me."

"Framed... is such an ugly word, don't you think, Clara? I prefer rebranded."

My hands curl into fists. "Take it down. Right now."

Florida's smile widens. "Make me."

I take a step forward, rage burning through my veins, but suddenly, she throws herself to the ground as if I'd hit her, landing with a loud, exaggerated thud. Her arms covered her face, fake sobs spilling out in an instant.

"Ah! She–she tried to hurt me!"

I froze, shock and fury mixing into a tight knot between my brows.

This pathetic bitch!

Derrick won't fall for it.. will.. Will he?

"Florida?"

A heavy voice from the living room. My heart skipped a beat. Derrick was running toward us, eyes wide with concern etched into his features.

She threw herself into his arms immediately, pressing her face to his chest. "She attacked me, Derrick! For no reason! She's gone crazy!"

Derrick's face was as hard as stone as he turned to me, his eyes blazing with anger.

My fists clenched. "Derrick, she's lying! She's-"

"Enough of your drama, Clara. Always trying to stir up shit," He hissed. His jaw tightened, eyes blazing, whilst burning fury rolled off of him in waves. "Clara! Get out! Now!"

I froze, disbelief rooting me in place. "What?"

He wants to chase me out?

"You can't-this is our house. Our-"

"You heard me!" Derrick's roar cut me off. "Out! And never come back!"

My chest heaved. Rage and helplessness collided inside me. I can't leave. Not without Rose. I won't let her-

Florida stepped closer, her laughter triumphant. "You're thinking about her, aren't you? That little girl? She doesn't know you. She'll follow me any day. You're nothing, just a bitter, broke ex!"

My hands shook as I stepped forward. "You're poisoning her mind!"

Derrick's hand lashed out before I could react.

His hand swung hard, and the slap hit my cheek in an instant, sending my head jerking sideways. I stumbled back, gripping the edge of the table to steady myself.

..Then looked up at Derrick in disbelief.

This was not the first time he'd laid his hands on me.

I was barely surprised.

But..

He's... he's believing her. Is he letting Florida do this to me?

My vision blurred with rage.

I wanted to fight, to rip Florida apart, but I was trapped against my own helplessness.

"She attacked me." Florida's voice breaks my reverie. "I didn't even say anything, she just-she just snapped. I was scared."

"That's a lie!"

Derrick looks at me. "What did you do to her?"

"I didn't touch her," I say. "She set me up. She planted an article-"

"Enough!" He snaps.

Florida clutches his shirt while trembling. "I was only trying to help her, Derrick. I told her she should rest, maybe see a doctor, and she just... she went crazy."

Something inside me breaks.

"I–"

"Enough, Clara!"

"At least.. Ask me if it's true, Derrick."

"I don't need to." He looks at me. "I've seen enough."

I caught a glimpse of Rose on the stairs. Confusion and trust were painted across her small face. "Mummy, what's happening?"

"Rose." I cry. "Baby, come here-"

I'm about to explain, but I realize my daughter was referring to Florida.

Florida bent down to her. "It's okay, sweetheart. Crazy aunty isn't well right now."

Rose frowns. "Crazy?"

"Mhm. She's going to a hospital." Florida continues smoothly. "A place that will make her better."

Rose hesitates... then nods.

"Oh." She says quietly. "Okay."

That nod ruins me.

"Get out," Derrick says, voice harder this time.

I blink back my tears, tearing my gaze away from Rose. "This is my house."

"Not anymore."

"I helped buy this house. I put my money into it. You can't just-"

"I can." He cuts in. "And I will."

I shake my head. "I'm not leaving."

His jaw tightens. For a moment, I think, stupidly, that he might hesitate.

But instead, his hand comes out of nowhere, and another slap cracks across my face, loudly. In an instant, I taste blood.

"Throw her out!" He orders the guards, and soon, strong hands grab me. I fight, I scream, and fortunately, it's not fruitless.

I free myself and run straight for the only person within my eyesight.

My baby.

Without thinking, without wanting to think, I grab at her hand. We need to run. To leave these bastards.

"Aunt Clara–!"

But my hard tug on her hand sends Rose stumbling down the staircase instead, and the last thing that fills my ear is an agonizing scream, and something coming in contact with the edge of the bottom stairwell.