Chapter 7

Clara could see that Nick really loved her and would almost do anything for her even while barely getting by. The guys she had formerly been with were mostly jerks at the end of the day. She didn’t love him,she loved the way he loved her genuinely. So she used him.And when she was tired of him,she tossed him away like trash.

Nick sank into his seat, his heart physically hurting in his chest and his mind spinning. He couldn't believe how foolish he had been, wasting two years catering to Clara's every whim. And for what? It was painfully clear now that she had never cared for him at all. He felt like such a big fool all over again and wished he hadn’t bothered to know the answer to his questions.

Lost in thought, Nick barely noticed as Clara began scrolling through her phone, trying to text someone. Suddenly, there was a deafening crash and the sound of tearing metal. Clara let out a piercing shriek as the car shuddered violently to a halt.

Nick's head snapped up just in time to see the wreckage of another vehicle through the windshield. For a moment he was too stunned to move. Then reality set in and he flung open the door, racing around to assess the damage. 

The front of the Rolls Royce was completely crushed and Nick felt sick. His eyes darted to the other car, a solid SUV that wasn’t as terrible but was still significantly damaged. 

As Nick examined the wreck in horror, the SUV driver emerged, face red with rage. "What the hell do you think you're doing?!" he yelled. Nick shrank back, holding up his hands calmly. "Sir, I'm sorry, there was an accident -"

“Sorry? SORRY! Do you have any idea how much this is going to cost to fix?!" the man exploded. 

Just then, Clara flounced out of the Rolls Royce, not a hair out of place. "Would you stop your barking?" she drawled at the furious driver. "You're making as much noise as an animal at the zoo." 

Reaching into her purse, she casually flung a thick wad of cash at the man. "Here, this should cover your pathetic little ding. Now run along and get your stupid car fixed." She tossed her hair dismissively.

The man looked angry but immediately recognized her as Clara Sinclair. He knew better than to argue so with one last glare at Nick, he stormed back to his vehicle and drove away.

"Get in and drive us back home now," Clara ordered, already sliding into the passenger seat. 

Nick complied but couldn’t help asking, “How about the damage done to the car?”

“Get us home first. It would be fixed later.”

 When they reached home, Nick carried all the numerous bags into Clara’s room as she instructed. As he settled the last one,he started hearing Vin barking. He felt a pit in his stomach as he hurried outside. Clara followed closely and as they reached there, Lena and Seth were already waiting with a barking Vin.

“What is the meaning of this?” he thundered, taking in the battered Rolls Royce. 

Clara smiled sweetly. “I merely told Nicky to wash the car and gave him the keys. Seems he took it out for a spin and damaged it.”

 Nick’s blood ran cold. “No, Mr. Vincent, it wasn’t - “

But Vin was already advancing on Nick like a raging bull, grabbing him roughly by the collar. “You think you can just smash up my car and lie about it, boy?!” he roared in Nick’s face.

“Please, sir, if you’d just listen -” Nick begged desperately, but it was no use. Vin was past the point of reason. With a massive shove, he sent Nick crashing to the ground. Nick felt a heavy raindrop on his shoulder as he begged. The clouds were dark and it was obvious it was going to rain soon.

"I don't want to hear any more lies from you, boy!" Vin snarled, spit flecking Nick's face.He drove his polished shoe hard into Nick's ribs, making him cry out.

The rain quickly picked up intensity, going from a light drizzle to a full downpour within minutes. 

Gasping in pain, Nick looked up at Vin with despairing eyes. But he saw no mercy there, only cold fury.

 "Consider your pay cut for the whole damn month to cover the damages." Vin growled,kicking him again. "Also,you would be staying right here in the rain until it stops. Maybe it would wash some sense into that thick head of yours." 

With that, he turned and stormed back up the mansion steps, where Clara stood smirking cruelly beside Seth and Lena. For a moment, Nick dared to hope one of them might show him mercy. 

Seth looked down at him in disgust."You heard the man, trash. Enjoy your bath,you’re super dirty anyway." 

And just like that, Nick saw the doors slam in his face. Everyone had left him and he was there in the raging downpour all alone. How could Clara be so mean and turn it all on him? 

Nick clutched his side, coughing. The rain was now coming down more violently, the cold drops hitting his skin like needles. 

His thin cotton shirt provided no barrier, clinging heavily to his torso as it became completely soaked through.

The only sound was the dull roar of the storm above and his own shaky breaths.

As the rain continued its assault, Nick began to lose all feeling. His fingers and toes grew numb inside his soaked shoes. His jeans, now waterlogged, offered no warmth and clung uncomfortably to his legs.

Nick crawled on hands and knees towards the building,shivering violently now.

"Please!" he called out, his voice raw. "Let me in! I'm telling the truth!" 

But there was no response and the only sound was the thunder in the skies and the din of rain pounding all around him.

With what little control he had left over his freezing muscles, Nick curled in on himself, digging his nails painfully into his palms. He made a silent vow that no one could hear.

"This won't break me. One day, I'll rise above all of you who tried to crush my spirit. I'll work twice as hard and climb so high that you'll all look up to me with envy and regret.You would all regret the day you chose to treat me like an animal.”

One day, he was going to show them. They were all going to pay. Every single one of them.