Chapter 4

"I think I should go back to my rental apartment."

Moira pushed Derek away.

She turned and started packing her suitcase.

Several photos slipped out at just the right moment.

Beach photos.

From the background, they appeared to be taken on a Hawaiian beach.

The poses were intimate, the gazes affectionate.

And in Derek's locked cabinet in his study, there was an identical photo album.

Same location, same outfits, similar person.

Derek used this method to repeatedly relive his past with Vivian.

But I'd begged Derek for so long.

Wanting him to take me to the beach just fifty kilometers away each summer, but he always made excuses.

Derek snatched up the photos, treasuring them as he put them away.

"It's so late, you can't get into your apartment anyway. Just sleep here tonight!"

Moira looked at me anxiously.

"Why are you looking at her! This is my home. I can let whoever I want stay here!"

I looked at Derek calmly.

"Yes. This is your home."

I should be the one to leave.

Besides, I never planned to come back anyway.

Walking past them both, I went straight to the bedroom to get my things.

Derek grabbed me.

"You sleep in the guest room. Moira likes watching the sunrise in the morning."

Just for some sunlight.

"Fine."

Derek seemed surprised I'd be so generous.

His cold expression finally softened slightly.

His tone carried a rare hint of regret.

"I shouldn't have hit you."

I ignored him, pulled out my suitcase and simply packed a few clothes and important items.

Moved directly to the guest room.

As for everything else, I could replace it all.

Out with the old, in with the new.

Derek tried to follow me into the room.

Only to find I'd locked the door.

After knocking a few times.

His voice carried some hesitation, a probing quality.

"Clara, you're not really angry, are you?"

In the past, every time anything involved Moira, we'd fall into cold wars and arguments.

Now seeing me so calm, not crying or making a scene, he seemed uncomfortable.

My tone was mocking.

"No. How could I be? She's just Vivian's sister, not your lover."

The air went silent for two seconds.

Derek sighed with relief.

"Clara, just get through this period. I promise, I will marry you."

Marriage?

I couldn't help but laugh.

Derek, too bad I don't need it anymore.

"Derek!"

Moira's voice suddenly came from the bathroom.

Derek rushed over anxiously.

"What's wrong? Moira? What happened?"

"Moira?"

No matter how Derek called, no more sounds came from inside.

I looked at the semi-transparent bathroom door.

Derek's concern clouded his judgment.

He hadn't noticed the additional shadow by the door at all.

After calling several times with no response.

He hesitated for two seconds.

Then reached out and opened the unlocked door.

Almost the instant the door opened.

That pale white figure threw herself directly onto Derek.

Moira let out a muffled moan, her voice coquettish.

"Derek, that time we had sex, didn't you enjoy it too? Let's do it again. Just pretend I'm Vivian."

"Stop it, you know last time I was drunk..."

Derek tried to push her away, but his hand touched something soft.

His whole body went rigid, at her mercy.

Moira became even more brazen.

Pressing herself entirely against him.

"Why? Am I not as good as Vivian? Not even as good as Clara?"

Derek sighed helplessly, softly comforting her.

"Be good, we'll talk about this tomorrow, okay?"

I looked at the two intertwined shadows on the wall, gave a self-mocking smile, and closed the door again.