Urban Romance

Rachel snapped back instantly, "Who are you calling names?"
"Whoever answers is who I'm talking about."
"You... You're just mad you can't get Julian! Clara, you're so bitter and nasty—cursing others just because you couldn't have him. You're fake, always have been. I'm the real daughter, and you don't deserve to be with Julian!"
Clara couldn't help but find Rachel's protectiveness laughable. Seriously? She's treating Julian like he's some prize catch.
Julian suddenly glanced at the takeout bag in Clara's hand.
"Ohhh, I get it now, Clara. You're here because your family's broke, huh? Can't even afford a proper meal, so you're picking up leftovers?" Julian burst into loud, mocking laughter.
Rachel looked incredibly smug too.
The Howard family had always been struggling, and clearly Clara hadn't improved their situation after joining them. Thankfully, Rachel was back where she belonged—or s

Evening.
Clara was finally home.
Nancy held her hand and said warmly, "Clara, this is your little brother, Andrew. He's back since it's Friday."
"Andrew, come say hi to your sister!" she added, glancing toward the boy slouched in a chair.
Andrew barely looked up. Cold glance. Silent. Then he just stood and walked off into his room.
With a loud bang, the door shut behind him.
Clara frowned slightly. This kid didn't look easy to get along with.
She figured—teenager, probably going through a rebellious phase. She got it.
Nancy tried to smooth things over, looking embarrassed. "That boy..."
"It's fine, Mom. I'll go check on Dad," Clara said gently.
They hadn't even known each other before now. No bond—that made sense.
Nancy followed her into the room.
Sean was doing better than before. He could walk on his own now with the help of a rehab device—no need to be supported anymore.
Just then, Na

Leaving Suncrest Construction, Emily and David finally felt like they could breathe again.
"Clara, is that it? We're in the clear?" David asked.
"Yeah, they were clearly in the wrong. No way they're taking this to court."
"So what now?" Emily looked over, unsure.
"We go pick up Michael from the station. The cops saw the surveillance footage, so he's off the hook."
David and Emily both nodded, the relief written all over their faces. Right in that moment, they honestly felt like Clara was amazing.
If it weren't for her today, they'd have no clue what to do. Just those guys in black suits were enough to freak them out.
Before long, they brought Michael back home.
Nancy's face lit up when she saw her kids together again. "Thank God you're all right. That's all that matters. Tonight, I'm cooking a big dinner to celebrate!"
"Mom, you don't even know—Clara was incredible today! Michael's home because of her!" Emily excitedly started recounting the day's chaos.
Clara didn't stick around for the praise—she just quietly went to give acupuncture to Sean.
—
A few days later, the Bennetts met up with the Carters for dinner.
"Mr. and Mrs. Carter, this is our biological daughter, Rachel. We brought her here so she could finally meet you," Vivian said with a smile.
Rachel chimed in with a polite greeting.
Margaret gave her a quick once-over, smiling on the surface but sneering internally.
This is who they're showing off as 'real daughter'? Please. All that cheap bling—trying way too hard. Straight out of the countryside, clearly never seen real money.
"William, look, the kids are grown now. Rachel just turned eighteen this year. I think it's time we talk about the wedding. Wouldn't it be nice to start planning for grandkids?" Robert said, testing the waters.
William glanced at Margaret.
Margaret quickly smiled and replied, "No rush, no rush. She's just eighteen, and she only just rejoined the family. Rachel and Julian haven't even gotten to know each other yet. Let's give them time."
Robert and Vivian stiffened a little at that.
Dodging the topic, huh?
Sensing the awkward vibe, Robert raised his glass to William and started chatting about something else.
"Dad, Mom, I'm heading to the restroom," Julian said, getting up.
Vivian shot Rachel a quick look—Rachel picked up on it right away and followed after him.
Truth be told, Rachel was really into Julian. Compared to the guy the Howards arranged, some paralyzed loser, Julian was a dream.
The Carters were old money, respected and loaded. Marrying into that? Jackpot.
"Julian!" She caught up to him.
"You need something?" Julian gave her a once-over.
He wasn't impressed.
Compared to Clara, Rachel didn't even come close.
What drew him in about Clara was that cool, no-nonsense vibe. It made him want to challenge her.
But Rachel? Way too flashy. Not his type at all.
That's why he'd stayed pretty much silent during dinner.
"Julian, getting some air? I'll keep you company—after all, you are my fiancé. I've heard so much about you already... been curious about you for a long time."
Watching Rachel with all her fake charm, Julian knew exactly what she was up to.
She wanted to seduce him? Please.
He'd dealt with girls like this plenty of times. Nothing new.
And the Bennetts dared to throw a girl like this his way?
Still, she basically threw herself at him. Why push her away?
With a lazy smirk, Julian reached out and lifted her chin slightly."You really like me that much?"
"Yeah..." Rachel Bennett replied, eyes down, voice soft with embarrassment.
"Ever been in a relationship before?"
She shook her head. "Nope. Not even once."
Life in the Howard family had always been rough—too many mouths to feed, and a bedridden father on top of that. They were so broke that even the local matchmakers gave up on them. No one wanted to marry into a situation like theirs.
Even her sister, Emily, wasn't any better off—nobody introduced her to anyone either.
The moment Julian Carter heard she'd never dated before, his interest skyrocketed.
A virgin?
In this day and age, that was basically rare gold.
Without a second thought, he tugged Rachel's hand and pulled her into the lounge next to them.
"Mr. Carter, what are you doing?" Rachel asked, her voice full of nervousness.
"Nothing serious. Don't you like me? Well, let's 'connect' a little deeper in the room, huh?"
He dragged her inside and started pulling at her clothes.
"Mr. Carter..." Rachel shrank back, clearly scared.
It was her first time, after all.
"What now? Didn't you say you liked me? Acting like this? Looks to me like you're just all talk!"
Julian made to leave then.
Not wanting to lose such a catch of a fiancé, Rachel clung to his sleeve in panic.
"Please... don't go..."
"Alright! I'll stay!" Julian grinned smugly.
"Mr. Carter... it hurts..."
"It's normal. First times are always like this. Just suck it up."
Rachel: "..."
—
Meanwhile, Clara was dining at the same restaurant with Sophia Taylor.
"Clara, I know things have changed. If you ever need anything, just say the word!"
"I know, I'm doing fine. Thanks though!" Clara smiled.
Ever since Sophia found out Clara wasn't the real daughter in the Bennett family, she constantly worried Clara wasn't doing well.
Suddenly, Sophia's phone rang.
After answering, she turned to Clara. "My dad needs me for something. I've gotta go."
"Alright. I'm about done too. You go ahead—I'll just ask them to pack something to go."
Clara was planning to swing by the hospital later to bring some food for Nicholas.
"Cool. Catch you next time!"
Once Sophia left, Clara waited a bit before a waiter brought over her packed food.
"Thank you! Have a great day!"
Carrying the bag, Clara made her way down the hallway, about to leave, when a door nearby suddenly swung open.
Julian Carter walked out, fiddling with his belt, clearly just finished getting dressed.
"Clara?" he said as his eyes landed on her. He looked surprised.
Just then, Rachel stepped out behind him. Seeing them face to face, her mood instantly flipped.
"Clara! What are you even doing here?" she snapped, practically hopping with irritation.
"Oh, I get it now! You must've found out the Bennetts and the Carters were meeting here, so you came to stir things up!"
She crossed her arms, looking all high and mighty.
"Let's get one thing clear—I'm the real daughter. You're the poser! Julian's my fiancé, so stop eyeing him like a vulture, or don't blame me for getting rude!"
Clara let out a cold laugh. "Wow. You're like that person who gets robbed and still offers to hold the bag for them. I've seen clueless people, but you take it to a whole new level of dumb."
"Who are you calling—"
Julian stepped forward, slinging an arm around Rachel's shoulders.
He smirked at Clara. "See that? Rachel's the real deal now. We're the ones getting married. I did think about us before, but turns out, you were just a fake."
Clara smirked right back. "Well, congrats to you two. A player and a fool—guess you found your perfect match."

Rachel snapped back instantly, "Who are you calling names?"
"Whoever answers is who I'm talking about."
"You... You're just mad you can't get Julian! Clara, you're so bitter and nasty—cursing others just because you couldn't have him. You're fake, always have been. I'm the real daughter, and you don't deserve to be with Julian!"
Clara couldn't help but find Rachel's protectiveness laughable. Seriously? She's treating Julian like he's some prize catch.
Julian suddenly glanced at the takeout bag in Clara's hand.
"Ohhh, I get it now, Clara. You're here because your family's broke, huh? Can't even afford a proper meal, so you're picking up leftovers?" Julian burst into loud, mocking laughter.
Rachel looked incredibly smug too.
The Howard family had always been struggling, and clearly Clara hadn't improved their situation after joining them. Thankfully, Rachel was back where she belonged—or she'd be the one suffering now.
"Not your business. Mind your own," Clara said coolly. Then she stepp

Chapter 15