Chapter 16- Losing Everything
346 Words
Three days later, Clara’s life got worse.
Much worse.
She returned home late that evening only to find her landlord waiting outside her apartment looking furious.
“You need to leave.”
Clara froze. “What?”
The older man crossed his arms impatiently. “I already told you. I got a better offer.”
Confusion hit instantly. “What better offer?”
“Someone paid six months upfront if I removed you immediately.”
Her stomach dropped.
“What?”
“I don’t ask questions, Miss Monroe. I just handle business.”
Panic rushed through her chest.
“You can’t just throw me out overnight!”
The landlord shrugged coldly. “You have until tomorrow.”
Clara stared at him in disbelief.
This wasn’t random.
Someone had done this intentionally.
Someone wanted her struggling.
Humiliated.
Destroyed.
But who?
Sophia? Vanessa? The media?
She honestly didn’t know anymore.
That night, Clara packed her belongings alone while trying not to cry.
She refused to call Lily.
Her best friend already had enough stress trying to survive the internship.
Clara didn’t want to become another burden.
By midnight, she checked into a small hotel downtown.
The room was tiny.
Cold.
Nothing like the glamorous world Beaumont Enterprises pretended to offer.
Clara sat quietly on the bed staring at the ceiling.
For the first time in weeks…
she felt completely alone.
Then her phone buzzed.
Pierce.
Heard about the apartment. Let me help.
Her brows furrowed instantly.
How did he know?
Before she could think too deeply, another message appeared.
You shouldn’t stay alone in some random hotel, Clara.
Her fingers hovered over the screen before replying.
I’ll figure it out myself.
Three dots appeared immediately.
You’re stubborn.
Clara smiled weakly despite herself.
And you’re nosy.
A minute later:
Still offering help.
Clara stared at the message for a long moment.
Pierce was kind to her.
Gentle in ways Jace wasn’t.
But accepting help from him felt dangerous.
Especially now.
Especially when feelings were getting complicated.
So she turned him down.
And spent the night pretending she wasn’t terrified.
- Writer
