Want My Womb? I'll Make You Childless novel Chapter 10

Chapter 10

The summer heat was brutal. In just fifteen minutes, the car parked in the driveway turned into an oven.

Clara sat behind the wheel, but the chill in her chest only deepened.

Lucas’s words kept echoing-

“Auntie’s so incredible. Isn’t it normal for Dad to like her?”

Each word stabbed her like an ice pick, the cold sinking deep, spreading through her veins until her fingers went numb.

She sat there for a long time before finally pulling herself together.

Just as she started the engine, her phone buzzed.

“Clara, family dinner tonight. Bring Luke. Your uncle booked a private room,” Patricia said cheerfully.

Clara glanced at the villa’s iron gates in the rearview mirror.“Aunt Patricia, Luke’s at the old house today. I can’t pick him up.”

She followed the location Patricia sent and drove half an hour to the restaurant.

She thought it was just another family meal. But the second she opened the private room door, she froze.

Her uncle, Robert Anderson, sat near the head of the table. And in the main seat–Seraphina Walker, Mason’s mother. Someone Clara hadn’t seen in years.

“Aunt Seraphina,” Clara greeted quickly.

“Oh, Clara.” Seraphina smiled, turning to Mason.“Still so pretty. But you look thinner, sweetheart. Been working too hard?”

Mason shot her a cold look and said nothing.

Clara sat down in the only empty chair.“No way, I think I actually gained a few pounds lately.”

Patricia frowned. “You’re almost four months, right? Why aren’t you showing yet? Have you had a check–up?”

“Yeah. Everything’s normal.” Clara brushed it off, not wanting to worry her.

Emma, bubbling with excitement, grabbed Clara’s arm–ready to spill the surprise–until Mason cleared his throat, cutting her off.

Emma grinned, undeterred.“Two big celebrations tonight! Mason and I are getting engaged–and Clara’s pregnant! Isn’t that great?”

Clara smiled politely. Emma wore a blush–pink dress, all soft and demure.

“Congrats, cousin,” Clara said evenly.“Wishing you both the best.”

“Girl, you’re too honest sometimes,” Emma teased with a laugh.

Robert cleared his throat.“Alright, everyone. The main reason we’re here is to make things official for Emma and Mason.”

“They’ve built their lives overseas, and their relationship’s solid. I say we hold the wedding by year’s end.”

Seraphina’s grin widened.“No objections here. Emma’s such a bright, capable girl–I adore her.”

Mason stood, glass in hand.“Uncle Robert.”

He turned to Emma.“She’s been with me through everything, even when life was hell. I swear, I’ll treat her right.”

He downed the drink in one gulp. Emma blushed, lowering her gaze shyly.

Then Mason refilled his glass and looked straight at Clara. A faint smirk played on his lips.

“There are only two people I’ve ever truly been grateful for.”

“One is Emma–she stuck with me through it all. I’ll never let her down.”

He lifted his glass again, eyes locked on Clara.

“The other? My ex. She dumped me when I had nothing and ran off with a rich man. Honestly, if she hadn’t done that, I never would’ve met Emma.”

Robert laughed, oblivious.“Mason, you’re too modest. You built your own success.”

Emma’s smile deepened, satisfied.

Clara’s lips curved faintly–then flattened. She picked up a piece of tofu and chewed slowly.

The engagement details were finalized. Drinks flowed, toasts kept coming, and by the end, Mason was completely wasted.

Robert patted Emma’s shoulder. “Take him home, sweetheart. Have Seraphina help.”

Clara followed them out, watching as Emma half–dragged Mason to the car.

< Chapter 10

His head lolled against her neck.“Wife,” he slurred, his hand sliding down her waist to her thigh.

Emma’s cheeks flushed. She leaned in, whispering, “I’ve got you. I’ll take you home, good boy.”

The door clicked shut. Mason suddenly lifted his head, half–dazed. His gaze flicked past the window, landing right on Clara.

Emma caught the look–and froze.

But a second later, Mason’s head dropped onto her lap again. Out cold.

Worried he wasn’t comfortable, Emma reached for a pillow from the back seat. Her hand brushed against a file folder.

“What’s this?” she asked.

“Mr. Walker had someone look into it a few days ago. Been in the car since,” the driver said casually.

Curiosity flared. Emma quietly pulled the folder open.

The name Clara on the first page made her fingers tremble. As she flipped through, her face went ghost–white.

“Water…” Mason mumbled.

Emma set the papers on her lap, grabbed a bottle from the console, and twisted it open–but instead of handing it to him, she tilted it.

The water splashed straight across the documents.

“Oops!”

She wiped at them frantically as the ink bled and blurred–then exhaled in relief.

Mason stirred, grabbing her wrist.“Wife,” he slurred, “quit fussing. Just hold me.”

Clara stood outside the restaurant, waiting for her ride–share. She watched the car disappear into traffic, its taillights fading around the

corner.

Too much alcohol. Too much wind.

By morning, she woke up feverish, body burning and shaking.

She forced herself up and took a cab to the hospital.

After the exam, the nurse took her temperature–102.2°F.

The doctor frowned at her chart.“Your body shows you never recovered properly after the miscarriage,” he said bluntly.

“You’ve been pushing yourself too hard. You need to rest. I’m admitting you for observation. And I’ll prescribe some restorative meals.”

Clara thanked him weakly, paid for the visit and froze.

At the counter ahead of her stood Olivia, leaning against Ethan’s shoulder, looking pale and fragile.

And there was Lucas–on tiptoe, scanning a QR code with his smartwatch to pay her bill.

“Aw, sweetheart,” the nurse said, smiling.“Such a good boy, helping your mom.”

Lucas’s little face lit up. He bounced back to Olivia proudly.“Auntie, I paid! I’ll get your meds next!”

“Thank you, Luke.” Olivia ruffled his hair gently.“Auntie’s fine, just a small cold.”

After they left, Clara finally moved to the counter,

“Just you?” the doctor asked, noticing she was alone. He pointed to the waiting area.“Go sit. I’ll call you when your admission’s ready.” Clara nodded and sat down–just as Lucas, waiting for the elevator, glanced back.

His eyes widened when he saw her.

He remembered Olivia catching a cold yesterday while baking his cake. They’d gone out together to buy ingredients late.

“What do you want for lunch?” Ethan asked as the elevator doors closed.

“Nothing,” Olivia said softly.“But that pear congee from your office last time was really good.”

“I’ll have someone make it,” Ethan said, pulling out his phone.

Dad, Lucas cut in, tugging his sleeve.“I know who makes that congee. No one else can get it right.”

“Auntie’s not feeling well,” Ethan said.“Stay with her. I’ll make the call.”

Lucas fell quiet. He knew. His mom used to send that exact congee to Dad’s office–and he’d had it at home too. Sweet, comforting, unforgettable.

As soon as they reached the floor, Lucas slipped away into the hall and called Clara from his smartwatch.

Menu

Menu

< Chapter 10

“Mom?”

Her voice was hoarse.“Yeah?”

“Can you make that pear congee and bring it to the hospital? The one you were just at?”

“No,” Clara said flatly.“Not in the mood.”

She hung up, finished the paperwork, and stepped into the elevator.

Someone rushed up just before the doors closed.

“Mrs. Bennett?”

It was David. He stopped short, noticing her flushed cheeks.“You have a fever?”

Clara didn’t answer. Her eyes had already locked onto the folder in his hand.

She recognized it instantly–the divorce papers she’d sent to Ethan’s company last week.

David followed her gaze, awkward.“The boss has been swamped. He didn’t have time to read them. He told me to find the file yesterday, but it was late, so I brought it first thing this morning.”