Bound to you

Chapter Twenty Three.

Third persons POV.

Clara's days went by so slowly at times.  There were times that she just wished she could wake up and it would already be time for her to give birth.

Not that she hated the pregnancy or the baby, she loved the baby. It was only because she knew it would all be worth it in the end that she put up with the weight gain,  the hormones,  the appetite and the morning sickness .

She wanted the pregnancy to come to an end because she feared for her child's life. The thought of her father's threat coming to pass made her heart clench.

She had already gotten attached to the baby,  she loved it.   And so did Mark.

Six months into the pregnancy and  Mark had ensured that she had a two maids,  a bodyguard who followed her everywhere, even a driver.

Of course she had protested at first,  but eventually she had given in.

Oh heavens know how convincing the man could be.

So now she was at home,,  as usual.  Seated on their bed in their huge bedroom, as usual,  watching Netflix for the past four hours.

Actually, this had become her routine. Of course she would do some small exercises, for her and her baby's health,  she enjoyed watching TV.

She jumped when her phone rang unexpectedly. Thinking it must be Mark,  she answered without looking.

"Hi" she chirped.

"Hi,  daughter " her father's voice greeted  her.

"What do you want? " she asked carelessly.

"Can't I just call my daughter? "

"No, you can't.  What do you want " she asked again,  sternly.

"I just wanted to advice you to call your husband right away.  You may not be able to see him after today. Better yet,  I think you should visit him in the office. " Her father said.

"What are you talking about? " Clara asked,  alert.

"I may or may not have sent a snippet to eliminate your husband. If you want to see him before he dies then you have thirty minutes.  Go say goodbye " he told her.

"You are bluffing " she said aloud.

"Am I? " he simply asked before ending the call.

"No no no" Clara repeated under her breath.

She quickly dialled Marks number.

First ring,  there was no answer.

Second ring,  still no answer.

She called him again and again but he didn't pick up.

She quickly left her house to go see him in the office. She didn't even bother to inform her driver. She however managed to take her bodyguard with her.

The drive to the office was a fast one since Clara insisted that they drive at top speed.  The moment the car stopped, she sprinted towards Marks office, well she moved as fast as she could since she was pregnant.

"Where is Mark? " she asked his secretary.

"He is in a meeting. You can't go in there ma'am... "

Clara opened the door to Marks office before the secretary could finish.  She was anxious,  desperate.   She had to see him. Just once.  To be sure he was okay,  he was alive.

"Clara? " Mark hastily got up and helped Clara who was out if breath to a seat.

"Are you okay?  Why are you here?  Weren't you supposed to be resting at home?" he asked giving her a glass of water.

"He called" she said,  her breathing still laboured.

"Who called?  "

"My father "she said

"You mean Steve, he is not your father. "( I am not sure if if have ever given Clara's foster parents names.  If I have then the father's has been changed to Steve) 

"Yeah,  Steve called.  He said he had hired a snippet to take you out in the next thirty minutes " she said.

"What? Then why did you come,  he can harm you and our baby.  You should have stayed home" he cupped her cheeks and kissed her briefly on the lips,  ignoring her bodyguard who shifted uncomfortably near the door.

"I know,  I just couldn't think straight.  We have to get out of here..." she had begun when  a shot rang through the air.

The glass walls shattered as Clara let out a scream.

"Are you okay" Mark asked as he examined her. She gave  him a silent nod before he led her out the room in a hurry,  her bodyguard following behind them.

"Come here" he said as he lifted Clara in his arms. He turned and faced the bodyguard.

"Call the police,  I love want the culprit caught. Tell them all the details about Steve,  I'll take Clara home.  Tell the police to meet me there" Mark ordered.

"Yes sir" the bodyguard replied.

Mark led Clara to the car and drove off.

"Are you okay? " he asked her.

"I am fine,   what about you? " she asked.

"I am fine. Let's get you home" he said.

Once they were home he helped Clara take a bath then they had their lunch.

"This is becoming too much.  At first it was just threats but now he is trying to kill you.  I won't let it happen.  I can't loose you or the baby.  You two are my life" Mark admitted.

"He won't succeed.  I know he is a criminal,   but I still feel like someone else is helping him I hope I am wrong.  We have to be more careful. " Clara said as she sat herself on Marks lap.

"What's wrong? " she asked when she noticed him wince.

"You are heavy"he said with a smirk.

"Are you calling me fat?"she asked angrily.

"No I..  "he began.

"I don't want to hear it.  You used to tell me I was beautiful,  but now you are calling me fat. So now that I am pregnant you don't love me anymore.  Go and find  those models who are not fat.  Go be with them.  I don't want to see you " she said crying.

"I didn't mean it like that. You know I love you.  You are the most beautiful woman ever"he told her.

"Really? " she sniffled as she wiped her tears.

"Really. I only have eyes for you. You are my only attraction.  Come,  let me show you"he said as he made his way up the stairs with her in his arms .

Hi guys,  thank you so much for reading the chapter.

Please let me know what you think of it .

Also,  I am not sure I have ever mentioned the names of Clara's foster parents. So I decided to call the father Steve.

Let me know what you think the mothers name should be.

Love you all.