Want My Womb? I'll Make You Childless novel Chapter 38

< Chapter 38

Chapter 38

The car pulled into the old manor. As soon as it stopped, Lucas, like a wild cat unleashed, yanked open the door and bolted out. He couldn’t stand being with Clara for another second.

Clara ignored him, pushing open her own door. A servant was already there, ready to lead the way.

“Madam, Grandpa Carter is resting in his courtyard.”

Clara followed the maid into Grandpa Carter’s courtyard.

Grapevines climbed all over the ornate trellis. Underneath, a mahogany lounge chair sat, and Grandpa Carter was slumped in it, resting his

eyes.

Clara tiptoed closer and saw the dark circles under his eyes. Even his normally bright silver hair looked dull, almost lifeless.

It looked like the recent drama between her and Ethan had really taken a toll on Grandpa Carter.

A wave of bitter sadness washed over Clara, her heart twisting like a wet rag.

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For years, she’d cherished Grandpa Carter’s kindness, but she also hated that while he was good to her, he only ever saw her as a breeding tool for the Carter family.

Hearing her footsteps, Grandpa Carter opened his eyes. He saw Clara and offered a weak smile.

“Clara, you’re here. Come, sit down.”

He gestured to the wicker chair beside him.”Sit,” he said. Then he told the maid to bring tea and some Pine Nut Shortbread Cookies.

Clara sat down. His gaze immediately dropped to her stomach, his brow furrowing

“How did you get so thin? Five months, and you barely show?”

“Have you had it checked out?”

Clara’s hand, gripping the teacup, faltered. Damn, he was really fixated on this kid.

She wanted to tell him the truth. But seeing how frail he looked, she could only say, “Yeah, I went. The doctor said the baby’s fine. I’m just so thin, it doesn’t really show.”

James fiddled with the beaded bracelet on his wrist. “I think you should quit your job,” he said.”Come back here and just focus on your pregnancy.”

“Don’t worry. Once the baby’s born, boy or girl, I’ll personally transfer three percent of my shares into their name. And another two percent be just for you.”

“That way, even if you and that jerk Ethan really do split up, the Carter family won’t have treated you badly.”

Clara looked up at her grandfather.”Grandpa, when I married into this family, it wasn’t for the shares. You know that.”

‘I know.”

The old man sighed, his eyes looking tired.”Ethan’s a jerk. He wronged you.”

‘I’m old. Can’t control him anymore. This body… who knows how much longer I can last.”

Wind rustled through the trellis. The leaves rustled.

Clara suddenly sensed something. She looked over. Behind the pomegranate tree by the moon gate, she’d seen a flash of fabric. But when she looked closer, only swaying branches and leaves remained.

She pulled her gaze back.”Don’t overthink it, Grandpa,” she told him.”Just focus on getting well.”

‘Ethan and I aren’t kids anymore. We know exactly what we’re doing.”

Clara sat for a bit longer. She said a few things to make the old man feel better. Then she got up to leave.

The old man sighed, waving a hand. Go on,” he said.”Just let your mom know. Otherwise, she’ll fuss again about you not saying hi.”

Clara stood up, excusing herself. She walked out of the small courtyard and headed around to the front hall.

As she

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got closer, she heard Lucas’s sobs coming from inside. She walked in to find him huddled against Margaret, his shoulders hitching with

every cry.

Clara didn’t rush over to comfort Lucas or ask what was wrong. She just quietly told Margaret, “Mom, I’ve actually got something to do, so I’m heading out. I won’t be able to stay for dinner.”

“You just got here. You’re leaving already?”

Margaret paused, wiping Lucas’s tears. “Pregnant now, so of course it’s different. This old house is just a place you can waltz in and out of whenever you feel like it, huh?”

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< Chapter 38

Clara’s stomach dropped.

She’d gotten plenty of grief from Margaret over the years whenever she visited. But lately, Margaret’s attitude had softened. She never thought she’d pull this today.

“What, nothing to say?”

Margaret’s eyes raked over Clara, then zeroed in on her stomach.

“Oh, playing the victim again? Or do you just figure I can’t do anything to you anymore?”

“You drugged him and tricked your way into his bed back then, got yourself knocked up, and forced Eth to marry you. And now? Now you want a divorce.”

“So, you’re just banking on Grandpa valuing heirs so much he’ll give you shares, and you’ll profit no matter what?”

Margaret just laid out all that old drama right in front of Lucas. Clara felt her face burn.”Mom…”

“Grandma, is that true?”

Lucas froze, his crying cut short. He looked up at Clara, his eyes wide with shock.

Is that how Mom ended up marrying into the Carter family?

No wonder Dad was always so cold and distant, raising him in the old mansion.

Back then, no matter how much he cried and begged, Mom was never allowed to live with them. And Dad? He’d practically live at the office just to avoid coming home.

Back then, he couldn’t help but envy other kids who had their parents around. When he fell, he wished his parents would pick him up and hug

him.

He even used to think it was his fault. He wasn’t good enough. Wasn’t obedient enough. That’s why his dad didn’t really like him.

It wasn’t his fault. It was all just wrong. From the very start.

Margaret knew she’d totally screwed up. Her eyes darted to Lucas, but not a single explanation came out.

Lucas struggled out of Margaret’s arms, pointing at Clara. His whole body trembled with pure fury. “You don’t deserve to be my mom!”

His voice was thick with tears and raw accusation. Margaret pulled him tight, her heart breaking for him. She whispered, “That’s right, sweetie. She doesn’t deserve you. We don’t need her, okay? Don’t cry, Luke.”

Clara watched Lucas, a pang of regret softening her heart. She started to explain, “Luke, it’s not like that. What happened then, it was…”

“Oh yeah? Then how is it?”

Margaret scoffed.”Don’t tell me Ethan begged you to marry him?”

‘Clara, the Carters have already given you plenty. Don’t be so greedy. What else do you even want now?”

Clara sighed. “I’m out. Ask Grandpa about it. He knows everything.”

Lucas finally looked up from Margaret, his eyes burning red as they locked onto Clara.

She was just leaving? Without even a single explanation?

He remembered what he’d overheard just moments ago, outside his great-grandpa’s courtyard. His eyes dropped to Clara’s belly.

Is it because of the baby?

She wants to carry this baby, deliver it, and snatch up those shares. That’s why she’s fighting with Grandma now, not even trying to calm things down. She just wants to completely wash her hands of it.

The thought made hurt and jealousy surge through Lucas. He roared at Clara, “Get out! Don’t you dare come back! You’re not welcome here!”

Clara’s eyes went cold.”Lucas, I’m your legal mother. I carried you for ten months. I gave birth to you. You might not want to acknowledge me,

you still owe me basic respect.”

but

Lucas’s face went beet red. He stared hard at Clara’s stomach.

Mom had never talked to him like that.

It was all because of that baby in her belly!

He was six and still hadn’t gotten his shares in the Carter Group. And that nursery his great-grandpa had prepped? Bigger, comfier than his

own room.

A surge of pure hatred ripped through him. His eyes locked on Clara’s stomach. Before she could even react, he lunged. His foot came up fast, slamming into her gut.

“Luke!”