Derek's POVAfter I left my grandfather's construction site, my mind became restless. Something was going on. Clara wouldn't just disappear like that. She loved her family. Everything was just far too crazy. As absurd as Katy sounds, maybe she had a point. Which meant I needed to investigate.The thing about solving a case is that everyone is a suspect—especially the crazy ex-boyfriend. I'd met him before; he seemed too eager to get back at Clara so that I wouldn't put any of this past time.After several threats, he confirmed that he had seen her earlier that morning. The creep followed her from her house without noticing and stopped her at a corner. He assured us that he didn't do anything to her. With the frightened look in his eyes, I might have believed him. It took everything in me not to punch him.This was how we got to our next clue. Luke sent some guys to that street to ask if anyone had seen her. There weren't security cameras in the area. That's what led us to our next clu

Clara's POV "Exactly, for more than twenty-five years, she has been on your mind. Don't you think she should suffer? I'd kill her slowly if I were you," Kevin suggested.Right now, I would prefer a bullet to get this over and done with.Amelia remained quiet as she stared into space. That meant she was considering it. "You'll be doing me a favour as well. I've tolerated how annoying she is for far too long. I'll owe you one. You'll see your big rival crumple to her knees." Kevin continued. "Besides, if they find her body with a gun wound, they will investigate. They will know that someone did this and track this back to you." He added."So, what are you suggesting?" she asked, turning towards him."Well, I suggest we give her some drugs. Lots of them. She will suffer a lot. In time, we can make it look like she died from an overdose. People will believe it because they know how depressed she is. We can dump her body in some bad neighbourhood and make it look like she died from a bad

Derek’s POVClara settled on the couch. I sat beside her, trying to appear as calm as possible."Before I say anything, I want you to know that I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I didn't know about it until much later." He whined."You should start talking," I demanded. Clara gave him a cold stare; he rubbed the back of his head, letting out a deep sigh."This whole thing began shortly after I last met you, Clara in, at the park that day. I was in a dark place. I was addicted to alcohol, and I couldn't get myself to admit it or even how it was destroying me. I started hanging around dangerous people, and I became hooked on far more dangerous addictions. I didn't see it back then. It only numbed the pain for a little while, and then I'd start all over again. I even did a few bad jobs with them. At that moment, they became my new family." He paused. He sighed again. It Wasn't until I met an old friend from college that I decided to change my life. He helped me through all of my

Derek POV I was still processing that she had betrayed me, but I hadn't had to throw it away or burn it like I'd said.I swallowed a hard lump as I read the letter. Suddenly, it was clear of all the times she had tried to talk to me. She wasn't who I accused her to be, and it's all because I didn't listen. I wish I could take back all my words, mostly my actions.If I had tried to listen, we could have been spared from so much more. I would ensure I spent the rest of my life making it up to her. I had been such a fool about everything.I shoved the letter back into the drawer at the sound of my phone vibrating. I looked at my phone to see several texts from Katy. She was still worried about Clara. I felt terrible not letting her know that her sister was safe, but for now, this was for the best.I walked into the kitchen to prepare food for Clara. She'd certainly be hungry when she woke up. I wasn't sure how long it had been since she ate. With what I had in the fridge, I salvaged a f

Clara's POV I understood him, too. I made many bad decisions that I thought were good at the time, and he reacted that way because of it. I should have never done any of what I did, either. I know and understand that lies can never be good.But I wish things were different."You should leave," I finally replied. My mouth became dry, perhaps because I knew I was about to tell one final lie."Of course, you need some rest. I'll see you in the morning." He concluded. He smiled weakly and leaned in to kiss me on my forehead."You shouldn't come back," I added as he pulled away.He stared at me with confusion, but he dismissed whatever he was thinking as his face lightened up. "Of course, I'll be here," he answered.I shook my head at him. "You shouldn't come back to see me, not today or ever. We should end this. Everything that did or didn't happen, all of it." I explained."You should get some rest. We are not thinking right now; so many things have already happened on the same day," he