Want My Womb? I'll Make You Childless novel Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Her phone buzzed.

Unknown number.

Clara answered. Silence. Then-

A cold, dismissive snort.

Her heart jolted. “Prof… Professor?” she whispered.

Henry Lewis didn’t speak right away. When he did, his words came rushed and clipped.

“Even if you don’t land Walker Venture Partners, I can still get you back in.”

She barely caught what he said, but she assumed he meant business. He wanted that Walker deal. Professor Lewis calling her personally-

That alone meant something big.

Her eyes flicked toward the two people walking ahead. Her tone hardened.

“Don’t worry, Professor. I’ll get the Walker Venture Partners investment. I promise.”

A pause. Then a cold snort,

“Suit yourself.” Click.

The line went dead.

Clara sighed and turned toward her building-

Bang. Bang. Bang!

Fireworks lit up the night sky.

Golden sparks bloomed like shattered diamonds, streaking across the dark canvas.

“Wow! Gorgeous!” someone gasped nearby.

“Whose proposal is that?”

“Probably the Carter heir.”

“Right–he’s dating the Bennett girl, the one who made that AI breakthrough. This must be her celebration!”

Clara looked up. More fireworks exploded, each one brighter than the last.

“Clara!”

She turned. Emma and Mason stood together up ahead–and beside them, her aunt Patricia Anderson, someone she hadn’t seen in years.

“Aunt Patricia!”

Clara hurried over, greeting her with a warm smile.

“What took you so long?” Emma teased.“Still mad Mason didn’t protect you back there?”

Clara shook her head quickly.“Of course not.”

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Patricia’s eyes darted between them.“You two are getting married soon. Once that happens, you’re family. Why would Clara be mad at her brother–in–law?”

“Exactly, Clara said smoothly. She forced a light smile.“He’s supposed to protect you, sis. Why would I be mad?”

The word brother–in–law slipped out-

And Mason’s hand, clutching his suitcase, gave the slightest tremor.

Another wave of fireworks roared overhead.

“Who’s the baller dropping this much cash?” someone nearby murmured.“That’s millions, easy.”

Emma laughed, looking up.“Who cares? We get a free show.”

Patricia’s expression turned a little awkward.“Clara, I didn’t know you were coming. Mind helping me grab some groceries?”

Clara immediately understood–Aunt Patricia wanted to talk privately.

“Sure,” she said.

Patricia handed her things to Emma and practically dragged Clara out of the complex.

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As soon as they were alone, Patricia blurted,

“Clara, are you and Ethan fighting?”

The fireworks made it obvious–they were Ethan’s doing. Yet Clara was here, not with him. Anyone could put two and two together.

Patricia sighed. “This thing with him and Olivia–it’s everywhere. It’s gone too far.”

She lowered her voice. “If I were you, I’d raise hell. And if that doesn’t work, just have another kid. Tie him down.”

She patted Clara’s arm meaningfully.“For a family like the Carters, more kids only strengthen your place.”

Clara’s hand froze over her stomach.

There had been a baby once–but it wasn’t hers.

Patricia kept going, oblivious. “Ethan’s a prize, Clara. You’ve got to hold onto him. The Andersons are where they are today because of the Carters‘ support. And now that Emma’s back, she’ll need your and Ethan’s help too.”

Clara said nothing.

She’d already called the hospital. The DNA test results for the surrogacy would be ready in three days. Once she had them, her lawyer would handle the rest.

The divorce papers were already prepared.

She still planned to talk to Ethan first–for the sake of both families.

If he agreed to a peaceful split, she’d walk away quietly.

If not… she’d go to court and end it with proof.

Either way, she was done.

Clara exhaled slowly.“Don’t worry, Aunt Patricia. My situation with Ethan won’t affect the family business. I’ll handle it.”

Patricia relaxed.“Good. I knew you’d be smart about it.”

They picked up groceries and headed back. Halfway home, Patricia suddenly stopped, gripping Clara’s hand.

“Clara, about your marriage to Ethan… can we not bring up how it started in front of Emma and Mason?”

Clara frowned slightly.

Patricia rushed to explain.“They’ve worked so hard overseas. I just don’t want them to feel guilty.”

Clara nodded.“It’s fine, Aunt Patricia. Emma and Mason are getting married soon. I won’t say anything.”

mma and Mason a

Patricia smiled with relief.“Good girl. You’ve really been through a lot.”

Back home, they dropped the groceries. Patricia told Emma to help in the kitchen and sent Clara to rest.

Clara stepped into the living room–and froze.

Mason was sitting on the couch.

Henry’s call flashed through her mind. She hesitated, then sat on the far end.

“Mason,” she asked quietly,“are you going to invest in Lewis AI?”

He lifted a brow.“So you’re really trying to push that partnership?”

“Yeah.”

“Was going to,” he said slowly, lighting a cigarette. “But now… I’ll have to think about it.”

He blew out a stream of smoke, voice flat.“If your professor’s hiring someone like you, maybe he’s not the genius he claims to be.”

Clara’s jaw tightened.“What do you want, Mason? What will it take to get your investment?”

A wicked grin tugged at his lips. He pointed at the mango on the coffee table.

“Eat that. Maybe then I’ll consider it.”

Clara froze.

He knew she was allergic to mangoes.

“Can’t even do that?” His tone was mocking. “Lewis Al’s a big name, sure–but business is business. Calling me ‘brother–in–law‘ won’t get you far.”

Clara’s nails dug into her palms.“Fine,” she said.“But keep your word, brother–in–law.”

Before he could react, she picked up the mango, sliced it, and ate it. Every bite burned. Her throat itched. Her skin flamed red. But she forced it

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down.

“Good enough?” she rasped.

Mason’s smile faded. His voice went cold.“You’re allergic. Go to the hospital. Don’t sit there pretending to be tough.”

Clara didn’t argue. Relief flooded her chest. She stood and rushed out.

Later, at the hospital, an IV needle in her arm, her phone rang.

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“Walker Venture Partners approved the investment,” Henry said. Then, after a pause, “Come see me at the institute the day after tomorrow.”

“Okay, Professor.”

She hung up and stared at the IV drip, tears blurring her vision.

Clara spent the night in the hospital.

By the time she got home, morning light spilled through the windows–and the house smelled stale. Ethan hadn’t come home.

She walked into the study, printed out the divorce papers, signed them, and slid them into a folder. Then she headed to Carter Tower.

At the front desk, the receptionist stopped her.“Ma’am, you’ll need an appointment to see Mr. Carter.”

Clara handed over the folder.“I’m not here to see him. Just make sure he gets this.”

The woman hesitated.“Sorry, I can’t accept personal documents. Company policy.”

Before Clara could argue, the glass doors slid open.

Ethan walked in–Olivia at his side.

David Wilson, his assistant, followed behind. When he spotted Clara, his eyes widened.

He glanced nervously at Ethan–who hadn’t noticed her yet–then rushed over and pulled Clara aside.

“Ms. Bennett,” he hissed, lowering his voice.“You shouldn’t be here. Mr. Carter doesn’t like anyone knowing about you.”

Clara shoved the envelope into his hands.“Give this to him. Tell him to contact me.”

Without another word, she turned and left..

David stared at the envelope. He didn’t dare open it.

Upstairs, he placed it on Ethan’s desk.

“What did she want?” Ethan asked without looking up.

“Mrs.–uh, Clara said to tell you to contact her.”

Ethan smirked.“Jealous already? All because of Olivia?”

He leaned back in his chair.“Just leave it. Don’t bother with her.”