<section>


    ~CLARA~


    "I can''t stay here today." I apologize to Scarlett. "I don''t think I can see Nicole with ric. Not right now."


    My sister hugs me tightly, "I know it must be hard. I wish things weren''t like this. I was sure that Nicole was out of ric''s life for good."


    </section><section>


    "What''s wrong with ra?" Carter asks as he enters the room.


    We both look at each other in panic. I didn''t want to start an argument between Carter and ric. It was thest thing I needed right now.


    "She doesn''t feel well." Scarlett lies for me. But was it really a lie? I truly didn''t feel well at all; my heart was in so much pain. It was the kind of pain I didn''t wish on anyone.


    He doesn''t look convinced, but he does look a bit concerned as he says, "I just saw Nicole outside. Can someone tell me why she''s here?"


    Scarlett sighs, "Why don''t you ask your brother that? Have you tried speaking to him at all?"


    His eyes narrow, "he can talk to me anytime he wishes to. He''s the one that''s being stubborn."


    Scarlett rolls her eyes, "I think you''re the stubborn one, and you know it. He''s making a mess of his life with Nicole again. I think you might be the only one to talk him out of it."


    His jaw clenches, "I''m not meddling this time. If he wants to ruin his life because of her, I don''t need to get involved. It''s his decision; he needs to deal with it."


    I could hear the anger in his voice, but there was also a sign of worry that he tried to hide. Even though they were both on bad terms, he still cared about his brother.


    It bothered me that they were this way because of me.


    I try not to think too much about it. I had more significant problems than that to worry about now.


    "Will you be visiting me tomorrow as well?" Scarlett asks me with puppy eyes. Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    I force a smile, "Of course, I may not stay long, though."


    "That''s fine." She assures me. "I''ll be happy to see you, even if it''s just for a second."


    After saying my goodbyes, I head towards the door, trying my best to avoid seeing Nicole with ric. The faster I got out of there, the better it would be for my fragile heart.


    However, it would seem that the universe had other ns for me. The second I opened the door to exit, I saw both Nicole and ric in front of me. He was still helping her with her suitcases. The second her eyes fell on me; I could see the big smirk on her face. She was telling me that she had won. I haven''t seen her this happy in a long time.


    ric looks up at me, and I can see the moment his entire body stiffens. I can''t help but stare at him without saying a single word. What could I possibly say at a time like this?


    He looked. . . Sorry? Was he sorry for bringing her back here? I wasn''t sure how he truly felt. I wasn''t sure about anything anymore.


    "Are you leaving already?" Nicole asks me with a knowing look. I can hear the thrill in her voice.


    I force a smile, "I am."


    She looks disappointed that I didn''t mention anything about her moving back into ric''s home. Even though I wanted to find out more, I didn''t n on doing it in front of her.


    ric doesn''t say a single word to me, and it doesn''t make this any easier on me. I was hoping that he would have said something to at least ease my pain. He should be able to tell by now that this was freaking hard for me. He knew I had feelings for him, and if he never had a clue in the past, today, he definitely should have known after the things I said to him in his office.


    "I have somewhere to be now," I say suddenly.


    "Somewhere to be?" Nicole asks. "You look a bit dressed up."


    I try to hide my embarrassment. I dressed up before I came here to impress ric. I''m sure that she knew that even though ric was oblivious to my efforts.


    "I actually have a date." I lie. It was better than admitting I did it for ric, especially now that Nicole was back in his life.


    His eyes immediately darkened the second I mentioned I had a date. I felt a shiver down my spine at the look he gave me.


    "A date?" Nicole asks with narrowed eyes. "That''s interesting."


    I can tell that she didn''t believe me even though it seemed as though ric was believing every word that came out of my mouth.


    His hands tightened into fists at his sides as he waited for me to say more. I wouldn''t make this easy for him. He hurt me today; if he had any feelings for me at all, I knew this would bother him. And so, I kept on with the lie.


    "Yes. A date." I answer her. "I need to meet him in an hour. We''re going for dinner and then a drive to the beach. He said he had a surprise for me."


    Seriously ra? I couldn''t believe I was going ahead with this lie.


    "I didn''t ask for the details." Nicole snaps. "ric and I have things to do. I need to unpack my clothes in his closet."


    I bit my lip to stop myself from screaming.


    </section><section>


    "Okay, bye," I said dryly as I all but ran towards my car.


    I hated this. I hated it so much.


    </section>