"…so you don't have to worry anymore. I'm just keeping her close for revenge," Clara said.
She told Lily she had an epiphany and that the accident made her realise she hadn't been a good friend, skipping over the part about her rebirth.
They sat on Clara's bed. Laura was in her own room. Clara had almost forgotten she even lived there now.
"So I don't have to worry about you almost dying because you listened to Laura again?" Lily said.
"What do you—" Clara stopped.
The accident. It happened while she was on the phone with Laura.
Lily smiled, relief softening her face. "Finally," she said, shaking her head. "Took you long enough to get some sense."
Clara let out a small laugh, sitting back on the bed. "Yeah… guess it did."
"Good," Lily said, bumping her shoulder lightly. "I was starting to think I'd have to knock it into you myself."
"Wouldn't put it past you," Clara said, her voice light.
Clara's phone buzzed on the bed. She picked it up and saw Nathaniel's name.
Clara, would you like to come with me to a dinner party tonight? It's for our team—congratulating you on your PhD and your new position at the company.
Clara paused, a small smile tugging at her lips. In her past life, she would have refused—Laura always insisted she stay out of the spotlight. But this time felt different.
Lily leaned over. "What's up?"
Clara showed her the message. "Nathaniel… he's asking me to a dinner party. To celebrate the PhD and my new job."
Lily's face lit up. "That's amazing! Go, of course. You deserve it!"
Clara chuckled and tapped out a reply.
I'd love to come. What time?
Lily grinned, bumping her shoulder. "Look at you! Big scientist, PhD, fancy dinner… finally getting the recognition you deserve."
Clara's smile grew bigger
Yeah… it's one step closer to spending more time with him. She thought.
A knock sounded on the door, pulling Clara from her thoughts.
In walked Laura.
"Clara! I heard you were invited to a party—let's go dress shopping!" Laura said, her smile bright and enthusiastic.
Clara raised an eyebrow. How did she know? Nathaniel hadn't mentioned anything. So… who?
"Sure, why not," Clara replied with a calm smile, masking the flicker of curiosity and caution in her eyes. She would wait and see how Laura might try to complicate things this time—if at all.
_________
"How about this one?" Laura asked, holding up yet another outrageous outfit.
Clara raised an eyebrow, suppressing a smirk. A professional dinner party wasn't a nightclub—she had no intention of wearing something ridiculous. Every piece Laura picked was either far too revealing or painfully unattractive.
"I already told you, Laura," Clara said smoothly, her voice calm but decisive, "I don't want to embarrass Nat tonight by wearing something inappropriate."
Laura's smile faltered in the mirror. The envy—and something sharper, closer to resentment—was clear, though she didn't try to hide it. Clara noticed everything.
Clara scanned the boutique, pretending to consider a few safe, elegant dresses while observing Laura's reactions.
She let Laura think she might influence the choice, keeping her own plan hidden. It was a subtle game of control—and Clara was already ahead.
Finally, Clara picked a tasteful, sophisticated dress that would suit the event perfectly. "This one will do," she said, holding it up.
Laura's expression tightened, clearly unhappy, but Clara didn't care. She had made her choice with Nathaniel in mind, not to please anyone else.
Even as Laura pouted quietly beside her, Clara felt a small thrill. Tonight, she would go exactly as she intended—confident, composed, and entirely herself. Nathaniel might notice the change. That thought made her smile.
___________
The doorbell rang just as Clara was finishing her makeup. She opened the door to find Nathaniel waiting, dressed sharply and holding the car door open.
"Have fun you two." Lily said from inside.
"Ready?" he asked.
Clara nodded, slipping into the seat. "Yeah. Let's go."
The drive was quiet but comfortable, filled with soft music and small talk. Clara felt a flutter of anticipation. Tonight wasn't just about the celebration—it was a chance to be seen, and maybe… more.
When they pulled up to the venue, the lights of the building shimmered against the night sky. Nathaniel opened the door for her.
As Clara stepped inside, she froze. Laura. Already there. Wearing a striking, revealing outfit that made her impossible to miss. She moved through the crowd with effortless grace, laughing at someone's joke.
Clara's stomach twisted. "Laura… what are you doing here?" she whispered.
Nathaniel's eyes flicked to Laura, and his jaw tightened slightly. "Did you invite her?" His voice was calm but carried a sharp edge.
Clara shook her head quickly. "No! I didn't even know she'd be here."
She really didn't, it explained Laura's absence when she left because she would been complaining about how she shouldn't be going to the party
Nathaniel's gaze softened slightly on Clara, though a flicker of irritation remained. "Alright," he said, still watching Laura. "Let's just… stick together, okay?"
Clara nodded, taking a deep breath. She could feel Laura's eyes across the room.
How? Clara's mind raced. How is she here?
Laura wasn't a scientist. She didn't work in any pharmaceutical company. She certainly didn't have the money to buy a ticket to a high-profile event like this.
The only explanation was that someone had brought her in. But who?
And why?