“I need to talk to Damon; he’ll understand soon,” Clara said, trying to return to Damon, but I held her back.

“He’s not in the right frame of mind, and I don’t want him hurting you,” I told her. She glared.

“Damon will never hurt me, not physically, anyway,” she retorted, and I sighed.

“But I can’t assure you that my father or Delilah won’t. Let’s go back so you can rest; this stress isn’t good for your baby.” As soon as I said that, she calmed down slightly and began to cry.

“I don’t know how to explain this to them,” she murmured, and I immediately wrapped my arms around her.

“You don’t have to. You’ve played your part, and soon they’ll realize you’re not the bad one. Stop stressing yourself; let me take you home.” We walked away toward my car.

As she climbed in, I heard Luca call her name.

“Maybe it’s a message from Damon,” she said hurriedly, trying to get out, but I shook my head.

“If it is, I’ll tell you. But just in case, stay here while I talk to him.” She frowned.

“But…”

“You’re stressing the baby, Clara. Just let me talk to him, okay?” She stared at me, sighed, and nodded.

I closed the car door before walking to Luca.

“What is it?” I asked. He sighed.

“I want to speak with Clara, not you,” he said. I tilted my head.

“I’ll relay your message. She’s tired and hasn’t stopped crying.” He sighed.

“Tell her Damon isn’t sending her away for good. Things are a mess. If Queen Luna dies, she’ll be in a lot of trouble. The Alpha King wants her dead; Damon is trying to handle the situation. I’ve told some of our men; they’ll be waiting for her at the mansion and take her to a safe location until things calm down. Her things are already being packed.” I was flabbergasted.

“He isn’t angry at her for what she did?” I asked. He sighed.

“You know Damon doesn’t take betrayal well. He is angry, but deep down he trusts and loves Clara more than we think. Tell her this so she understands.” I nodded slowly.

“I’ll follow her to keep her safe.” He raised an eyebrow and nodded.

“I’m not sure Damon will be pleased, but it’s better than nothing. I have to go before Delilah notices I’m gone.” He glanced behind him before running back into the hospital.

I frowned and walked to the car.

“What did he say?” Clara asked as I got in and started the car.

“He wants you gone by tonight,” I told her. She gasped.

“Is… is that all? You talked for a long time…”

“He said Damon is angry and doesn’t want to see you again.” I knew I’d be in trouble if they found out I was lying, but I had to do this. I hadn’t come here just to expose Aurora; I had a hidden agenda, and Clara was the key. This plan made things easier. I just hoped Damon wouldn’t hate me more.

“You should have told Luca I was pregnant. He would tell Damon, and then…”

“I told him, and he said he’d tell Damon. We’ll wait a few minutes before leaving, but if Damon doesn’t come, it means he doesn’t care.” I hated breaking her, but I needed to get her out of here. The only way was to make her think Damon no longer wanted her.

When we arrived at Damon’s house, Clara wept when she saw her luggage outside.

“Is he really serious?” she murmured.

“I’ll load your things into the car so we can leave.” She shook her head.

“I’m not leaving until Damon throws me out himself. They’ll know the truth soon; I just have to wait, and he’ll come back to me.” I frowned. That was my fear. If they found out the truth, I wouldn’t be able to get Clara out. We needed to leave immediately.

“Have you no pride? Damon obviously doesn’t want you. I told him you were pregnant; if he cared, he would have sent a message to the guards, and your things wouldn’t be here. I care about you, Clara, and the more you stay here, the more at risk your child is—not because of Damon, but my father. He’s unstable and might come after you. Let’s go.” We were running out of time.

A guard approached the car and knocked on the window. Clara opened the door, and he bowed.

“I’ve been assigned by the Alpha to take you away. We must leave immediately.” She cried harder.

“I’ll take her; you don’t have to.” He furrowed his eyebrows.

“But the Alpha…”

“I’ve informed him. Help me load the car.” He looked at Clara before bowing. He seemed attached to her, but it didn’t matter.

Her luggage was loaded, and I drove away from the mansion as she sobbed.

“Don’t worry, it’ll be okay. Be strong for your baby. Let him cool down; maybe later he’ll find you.”

“Can we wait a few minutes? Maybe he’s coming.” I sighed.

“Clara…”

“Stop the car, Dimitri. I’m going to wait.” I had no choice but to stop.

Minutes turned into hours. The sky was dark when Clara lost hope.

“He’s really not coming. He really doesn’t care about us.” She rubbed her stomach. I knew I’d be killed by Damon or Clara when the truth came out, but I had to do this. I wish there was another way.

“Let’s go?” I asked. She nodded slowly, took off her ring, and threw it out the window.