Want My Womb? I'll Make You Childless novel Chapter 1

Chapter 1

“Ms. Bennett, the pregnancy has been terminated.”

Clara opened her eyes to the blinding hospital lights, lying still as the words sank in.

Two weeks ago, she’d found an IVF consent form in Ethan’s study.

That’s when she realized–her husband had implanted another woman’s fertilized egg into her.

She couldn’t believe it.

Not until she secretly did an amniocentesis at sixteen weeks, needing to know the truth.

The results confirmed it.

She lay there, staring at her slightly swollen belly, the stretch marks tracing faint white scars across her skin.

Tears slipped silently down her cheeks.

She’d wanted this baby so badly. She’d taken countless hormone shots, gone through surgery–again and again.

And for what?

The baby wasn’t even hers.

Seven years of marriage. Maybe not love anymore, but at least… some decency.

Yet to Ethan Carter, she was nothing more than a womb.

A machine. A vessel.

When she didn’t respond, the nurse whispered gently, “Ms. Bennett, the baby… it’s gone.”

Clara blinked, straightened her clothes, and said flatly, “Please prepare all the medical records. I’ll need them.”

“It’ll take about a week to pass legal review. We’ll mail them to you.”

Clara nodded.

She’d dropped out of school to marry Ethan, spent seven years as his obedient wife.

Now, these documents–the proof she’d been made a surrogate–were her only weapon to walk away clean.

Her abdomen still ached as she called for a driver, setting the pickup at the mall near the hospital.

The car had barely arrived when she saw it a sleek black sedan parked by the curb.

License plate: IL 666666.

In all of Chicago, no one but Ethan Carter would dare drive that.

Correction: no one could.

Security guards barely glanced his way, used to the sight.

“Talk about showing off,” one muttered.“That’s Mr. Carter’s car, right?”

“Yeah. Heard the Carter Group just made another AI breakthrough–world–leading stuff.”

Clara turned her gaze.

A tall man stepped out, black silk shirt, sleeves rolled high, veins standing out on strong forearms. He walked around and opened the car door for a woman.

She stepped out in a champagne silk dress, delicate fingers sliding naturally through his arm.

They looked perfect together–confident, dazzling.

“Who’s that? Mr. Carter never brings women around, someone whispered.

The ride–share pulled up. Clara ignored the gossip and got in, watching the city blur past.

Of course she knew who the woman was.

Olivia Bennett–her sister.

Cambridge math prodigy. Fresh TAI Award winner.

Everything Clara might’ve been–if she hadn’t traded her future for marriage.

Her phone buzzed. A message from her lawyer:

11:43

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< Chapter 1

Confirming you want to proceed with the divorce?

She typed back:“Push it through. Fast.”

Back at her downtown villa, laughter echoed from inside.

Lucas.

Her heart skipped. She hadn’t seen her son in weeks.

After his birth, Ethan had sent him to the Carter mansion “for better education.”

She’d begged to keep him. Ethan didn’t care.

Even her visits were rationed.

Now he was finally here.

Clara rushed inside, toes bare against the marble floor.

On the couch sat a five–year–old boy, his back to her, giggling into his phone.

“Auntie’s the best! I’ve been wanting this Transformers toy forever, but Dad wouldn’t buy it.” He paused, smiling.“Okay, I’ll wait for Dad to bring it home.”

Clara’s eyes softened.“Luke, did you miss Mommy?”

He turned, saw her–and his face twisted.

He hung up fast, pushed her away, yelling, “You stink! Don’t touch me!”

Clara froze, confused. She sniffed herself–nothing but the faint scent of disinfectant.

He rolled his eyes. “I want shrimp and tofu stir–fry! Go make it, now!”

She’d just had an abortion. Cold water was off–limits. She started to ask the housekeeper-

Then Lucas tilted his head, smiling sweetly.“Mom, no one cooks it like you.”

She sighed. He’d learned to manipulate early–spoiled by Ethan’s family.

Still, her heart softened.

Clara washed her hands, flinching as the cold water hit her fingers.

When the meal was ready, Lucas dug in happily.

Later, as she tucked him into bed, he asked, “Will Dad be home tonight?”

Clara forced a smile.

Ethan had been obsessed with “the baby.” He’d come back regularly–just to check on the

pregnancy

that wasn’t even hers.

She kissed Lucas’s forehead.“He’ll be back. Sleep now.”

“Okay! I’ll see Dad tomorrow!”

Clara left his room, went downstairs, and opened her laptop.

Al research filled the screen. She lost herself in it until the door clicked open.

Ethan walked in. Dark blue satin shirt, hair damp from the night air, eyes cool and sharp.

“Still up?”

He sat beside her, slipped an arm around her shoulder, his hand resting instinctively on her stomach.

On the empty place where his other woman’s baby had been.

“How’s the baby?” he asked.

Clara pushed him off.“Weren’t you with Olivia? Why are you here?”

He smirked. As long as you don’t tell anyone you’re Mrs. Carter, who’s gonna know?”

Her jaw tightened. It was true–their marriage was private. If she kept quiet, no one would dare expose him.

No one messed with the Carter family.

“What’s wrong?” he teased, toying with a lock of her hair.“Didn’t you beg for this? What right do you have to be mad?”

Clara slowly closed her eyes, then opened them again.

The softness was gone.