Want My Womb? I'll Make You Childless novel Chapter 79

Chapter 79

“Yes.”

The assistant looked at the old man whose life was nearing its end, a hint of pity in his eyes.

James Carter suddenly coughed violently, taking a long time to recover.

“Have Ethan and Luke come to the hospital tomorrow for a check-up. If they’ve really inherited this disease, we need to intervene and treat it early.”

At the same time, downstairs at the hospital.

Before the black Bentley had even come to a complete stop, Clara Bennett impatiently pushed open the car door and rushed out, her high heels clicking rapidly on the polished ground.

“Don’t rush.”

Seeing her flustered appearance, Ethan Carter followed closely behind.

The smell of disinfectant in the emergency room hit her face, and Clara immediately spotted the helpless-looking maid in the waiting area.

“Where’s Lila? How is she?”

“Ms. Bennett!”

Seeing Clara, the maid seemed to have found her backbone.”She was just taken into the emergency room. The doctor said… said it’s acute pneumonia, and the inflammation has already spread. She needs to be hospitalized immediately.”

“Acute pneumonia…”

Clara repeated the words “acute pneumonia,” and her head buzzed, a wave of darkness threatening to overwhelm her. Her body swayed, unresponsive.

It was her fault. Her negligence had led to this. If only she had been more careful….

A warm, strong hand steadied her waist, firmly supporting her faltering form.

“Hey, hey. The doctors are with her. She’ll be okay.”

Ethan’s voice, deep and steady, carried a soothing quality that calmed her chaotic thoughts.

Clara took a deep breath and stepped back, away from Ethan.

“I’ll go handle the admission.”

With that, she turned toward the nurses’ station, but her steps were unsteady, and her vision blurred.

Ethan noticed her discomfort, his brow furrowing in concern. He saw the unnatural pallor of her face, the fine beads of cold sweat on her forehead, and he gripped her wrist.

“You’re not okay.”

He glanced back at the driver, who had just entered the building, and spoke rapidly, “Take care of the admission. Get the best pediatric team

available.”

The driver didn’t hesitate, rushing towards the reception desk with the necessary documents.

Turning his attention back to Clara, he said, “I got a number for you. Let’s get you checked out.”

“I’m fine, there’s no need to…”

Clara tried to pull away, but a wave of exhaustion washed over her, leaving her completely drained.

Ethan didn’t give her a chance to refuse, leading her into the emergency room with gentle force.

Inside the examination room, after taking her temperature, the doctor frowned.”102 degrees Fahrenheit. You have a fever.”

“We need to draw some blood for tests first. Once I see the results, I’ll prescribe some fever reducers and anti-inflammatory medication.”

Clara stared at the order form, belatedly realizing she was shivering.

Ethan took the form and, without a word, guided her to the lab.

After the blood draw, he helped Clara sit on a waiting chair, his voice gentle.”Stay here, don’t move.”

Watching his tall figure weaving between the payment counter and the pharmacy, Clara felt a moment of disorientation.

The memory flashed through her mind: the last time she was in this same place, she’d hidden behind a pillar, watching him and Lucas fuss over Olivia, taking care of everything for her.

Now, this man who had once seemed oblivious to her existence was unexpectedly rushing around for her. He was wearing an expensive suit

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but didn’t hesitate to squeeze into the crowded lines, glancing at his watch one moment, then at the lab report in his hand the next

Clara gave a wry, self-deprecating smile.

Ha, men really were the most fickle creatures. She wondered just how long this tenderness from Ethan would last.

By the time Ethan returned with the medication, the driver had completed Lila’s admission paperwork and transferred her to a VIP room in the pediatric ward.

Clara declined Ethan’s offered support and, forcing herself to keep up, followed him into the room.

Once everything was settled, the room fell silent. Lila lay in bed, her small face flushed with fever, her breathing a little labored, an IV line taped to her hand.

Clara walked to the bedside and gently took her little hand, a fresh wave of guilt washing over her.

Take your medicine first.”

Ethan approached her with a glass of water and presented the pills in the palm of his hand.

“Thanks.”

Knowing she needed to get better to take care of Lila, Clara didn’t argue, taking the pills and swallowing them down.

Seeing that her resistance to him wasn’t as strong, Ethan’s lips curved into a slight smile, his expression softening.

“Go rest on the cot.”

Ethan unfolded a blanket. “I’ll watch over her. I promise nothing will happen to her.”

As the medicine took effect, Clara felt an overwhelming drowsiness wash over her, accompanied by muscle aches that left her utterly exhausted.

Without protest, she settled onto the cot, glancing at Lila, who was fast asleep in the bed beside her, and soon drifted off.

In her hazy state, she felt someone gently tuck the blanket around her. Her fingers brushed against their hand, the warmth causing a flutter in her chest, but she was too drained to open her eyes.

Clara’s sleep was restless, filled with images of Lila’s feverish face and Ethan’s gaze, shifting between cold indifference and unexpected tenderness.

Only when a pair of warm hands gently pressed against her forehead, and that familiar scent filled her senses, did she begin to find some peace.

Ethan sat on the chair next to the cot, his eyes fixed on Clara’s sleeping profile.

Lately, she’d been nothing but thorns and prickles towards him, like a hissing kitten, either with cold words or outright ignoring him. He hadn’t seen her this soft in what felt like forever.

Her eyelashes were long, fluttering slightly as she slept. Her face was still pale, but the usual distance and defensiveness were gone, making her appear almost gentle.

As the night deepened outside the window, the only sounds in the hospital room were the rhythmic beeping of the medical equipment and the steady breathing of the two women.

Ethan sat by Lila’s side, still hooked up to the IV, and gazed at Clara sleeping beside her, a sense of peace and tenderness he’d never known washed over him.

May their happiness last forever.

That was Ethan’s deepest desire in this moment.

Clara frowned in her sleep, the fever reducer taking effect as beads of sweat dotted her forehead.

Ethan took a tissue and gently dabbed her forehead, then brushed a few stray hairs from her face, his touch so light as to not wake her.

Only when the furrows in Clara’s brow smoothed out did Ethan touch her forehead, a flicker of relief in his eyes once he confirmed her fever had broken.

In their seven years of marriage, this was the first time he’d been there to care for her when she was sick.

So, she frowned when she was uncomfortable.

He’d made so many mistakes in the past. He would spend the rest of his life holding her close to his heart, cherishing her, and slowly making

amends.

Ethan leaned in and gently pressed a kiss to her smooth forehead, his gesture reverent and full of love.

“Good night, wife.”

The warmth of his breath ghosted across her pale skin, and Clara stirred slightly in her sleep but didn’t wake.

Ethan raised his gaze, his Adam’s apple bobbing. His eyes traced the dark circles beneath her eyes, and it felt like a million tiny needles were

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Chapter 79

pricking at his heart.

There was a time when intimacy like this with Clara had been his for the taking, whenever he wanted. Now, he could only steal these moments when she was asleep.

His phone buzzed twice in his pocket. A text from David.

“The shareholders are joining forces with the board to pressure you.”

He instinctively killed the screen, afraid the light would disturb Clara.

His grandfather’s illness, the infighting within the company-it was all crushing him, making it hard to breathe. But even worse than all of that were the thorns Clara had raised to keep him away.

He knew he was to blame. In their seven years of marriage, he’d done everything wrong, spectacularly so. Now that he wanted to make amends, Clara wouldn’t even grant him the right to get close.

Dong-

The distant sound of a bell reverberated through the night.

Ethan froze. A vivid memory flashed through his mind-the good-luck charm Clara had given him years ago.

What were her words back then?

He remembered her tugging at his sleeve, eyes sparkling, saying, “Eth, the Convent in the suburbs is very effective. I got you a good-luck charm.”

“When you’re free, we can go together to give thanks.”

But that was when he resented her the most. He had only glanced at it dismissively and tossed it into a drawer without so much as a thank you.

He raised his hand and pressed it against his chest.

If he went to the Convent now, kowtowing and praying for her and his grandfather’s well-being, would God have mercy and give him another chance?

Once that thought took root, he couldn’t suppress it.

He got up, tucked the blanket around Clara, and called his driver.

“Come to the VIP ward of the pediatric department. Stay outside the ward and contact me immediately if anything happens inside.”

Hanging up, he took one last look at the person in the hospital bed before turning and striding away.

It had started to drizzle outside at some point, and the black Bentley sped through the rain.

By the time the car stopped at the foot of the mountain where the Convent was located, the rain had intensified.

Ethan opened the car door and looked up.

The church on the mountainside was hidden in the clouds and mist, and the steep stone steps snaked upwards from the foot of the mountain, with no end in sight in the night.

A young monk, lantern in hand, emerged from the gate, his brow furrowed.”Esteemed sir, it’s late. The Convent is closed for the night. Please return tomorrow to seek blessings.”

“I only wish to obtain two blessing amulets.”

Ethan’s voice was deep and unwavering.

The young monk hesitated. “Esteemed sir, you may not be aware, but the amulets from Convent require a full prostration with each step to show true sincerity. It’s late now. Please come back tomorrow.”

A dull ache settled in Ethan’s heart.

A full prostration with each step?

Was that how Clara had obtained her amulet all those years ago?

“Wait.”

Seeing the young monk turn to close the gate, Ethan stepped forward. “If she could obtain it with full prostrations back then, why can’t I?” He gestured towards the dark staircase, his voice firm.”I will prostrate my way up there and obtain two blessing amulets.”

The young monk was stunned, peering at him through the lantern light.

The man was impeccably dressed, exuded refinement, and was clearly a privileged, powerful figure. How could he even consider prostrating himself up the mountain?

He hesitated, then cautioned, “Sir, the rain is getting heavier. There are ninety-nine steps, steep and treacherous. Your constitution may not be

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able to endure it.”

“I’ll endure it, whether I can or not.”

He approached the first step, kneeling without a moment’s hesitation. Pain shot through his leg bones, spreading rapidly.

Ethan grunted, the veins in his forehead throbbing.

With his hands planted on the stone step, he slowly bent forward, his forehead touching the cold stone. Water mingled with sweat dripped from his jaw.

“First bow, I pray to God to bless Clara with peace and happiness.”

He murmured softly, his voice swallowed by the rain.

When he rose, his knees were covered in mud,

Second bow, the pain in his knees intensified, the gravel on the stone slab digging painfully into his flesh.

He thought of Clara, perhaps doing the same thing years ago, perhaps even more disheveled than he was now. Yet back then, he had let her sincere heart’s devotion flow away like water.

Guilt overwhelmed him like a tidal wave, and his eyes grew hot as he bent over.

“Second bow, I pray she’s free from illness and disaster, and that her smile always shines.”

The rain poured down harder, and Ethan’s shirt was soaked through, clinging tightly to his body, outlining the lines of his muscles.

Each bow felt like his knees were about to shatter, the piercing pain making him groan involuntarily.

But he didn’t dare stop. He feared that if he stopped, God would think his heart wasn’t sincere and wouldn’t protect Clara and the old man.

He thought of Clara’s coldness toward him, of the old man lying on his deathbed, of the power struggles within the corporation. All the pressure and guilt transformed into the drive to keep going.

“Sir, please don’t kneel anymore!”

The young monk stood at the church gate, holding an umbrella, watching the disheveled man in the rain. He couldn’t help but advise, “The rain is too heavy. You’ll get sick if you continue like this! You can always come back for the amulet tomorrow!”

Ethan didn’t turn back, but with great effort, he pushed himself up, only to kneel down heavily again.

His forehead pressed against the stone slab, the icy touch making him feel even more awake.

“It’s not the same.”

His voice was hoarse, “Today’s wrongs must be atoned for today.”

The young monk sighed helplessly, able only to watch him kowtow and pray in the downpour.

Rain washed over the stone steps, washing away the mud on his body, but his movements remained devout and firm.

By the fiftieth kowtow, Ethan’s knees had lost all sensation, leaving only a numb ache.

His pants were soaked through, covered in mud, and dragged heavily on the ground.

Each time he pushed himself up, it took an immense amount of effort. His arms trembled slightly, and beads of sweat mixed with rain dripped from his forehead, blurring his vision with cold and exhaustion.

He remembered seven years ago, when he and Clara Bennett walked out of the marriage registry, her eyes full of hope for the future, as she whispered to him, “Ethan, I’ll take good care of you.”

But what about him?

He took her love for granted, ignoring her feelings time and time again, disappointing her repeatedly.

It wasn’t until she withdrew all her tenderness, erected a wall of thorns around herself, and treated him with indifference that he finally woke up.

“Fiftieth bow. I pray to God to give me a chance to make amends.”

He recited silently in his heart, and as he lowered his head, he tasted a trace of salty bitterness at the corner of his mouth, unsure if it was rain

or tears.

By the eightieth bow, Ethan was on the verge of collapse.

The cold and fatigue were like two giant hands, making it difficult for him to breathe.

Sharp pains shot through his knees, as if countless needles were piercing them, each kneel and rise feeling like a form of torture.

His vision grew increasingly blurry, the only sounds he could hear were the rushing rain and his own heavy breathing.

But he couldn’t stop.

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He recalled Clara’s pale face when she was ill, the way her brow furrowed in her sleep, the cautious look on her face when she gave him the good-luck charm.

These images were like a beacon, giving him the strength to continue.

He gritted his teeth, using every ounce stone slab.

of

to push himself up, and then knelt heavily again, his forehead once more touching the cold

“Eightieth bow, I pray that the old man can pull through this crisis.”

His knees were already raw, blood mingling with the rain and mud, leaving blurred bloody imprints on the stone steps.

His arms were also incredibly sore from repeatedly pushing himself up, each movement incredibly difficult.

The young monk couldn’t help but call out again,”Sir, you have shown enough sincerity! Please get up! I’ll go inform the Abbot and get you a couple of good-luck charms!”

Ethan slowly raised his head, looked towards the mountain gate, shook his head, his voice so hoarse it was barely audible:”No need, I must kowtow my way up there myself.”

He knew that only in this way could he atone for his past sins, only in this way could he show God his sincerity. Ninetieth bow, ninety-fifth bow… each step was like walking on the edge of a knife.

Ethan’s body had reached its limit, his vision began to blur, and the sound of the rain in his ears grew

distant.

But he only had one thought in his mind: he had to kowtow all the way to the top of the mountain, he had to get those good luck charms for Clara and his grandfather.

It wasn’t until the 99th kowtow that a pair of warm hands helped him up.

Ethan slowly raised his head and saw an old monk in a gray robe standing in front of him, holding an umbrella to shield him from the rain. “Why put yourself through this, my son?”

The old monk’s voice was gentle, with a hint of compassion.

“I just want to beg her to give me one more chance.”

“Please… give me two good luck charms, one to bless my wife, and one to bless my grandfather.”

The old monk looked at him, covered in mud and rain, sighed softly, and reached out to stop him.

“You have a sincere heart, my son. Come with me.”

Ethan staggered after the old monk into the church. It was very quiet inside, with only the sound of rain and the wooden fish.

The old monk went into the God hall, lit three incense sticks, and handed them to Ethan.

“Kneel down. God will hear your heart.”

Ethan took the incense sticks, endured the pain in his knees, and slowly knelt down.

He clasped his hands together, closed his eyes, and prayed sincerely, “God, I know I did a lot of wrong things in the past and hurt the person I loved most.”

“Please, protect Clara Bennett, keep her safe and healthy. Please grant me one more chance to make amends and take care of her properly.” “Please, help my grandfather pull through this ordeal and live a long and healthy life.”

After he finished praying, the old monk handed him two good luck charms, each embroidered with a delicate lotus flower, identical to the one Clara had given him years ago.

“Keep these charms close to your heart. Sincerity is key. In the days to come, you must do good deeds and treat those around you with kindness.”

Ethan clutched the charms tightly and bowed deeply to the old monk.”Thank you, Master.”

The next morning, Clara was watching over Lila Walker as she slowly woke up.

First, she checked Lila’s temperature to make sure the child was completely fine. Then, she picked up her phone, intending to check work

messages.

To her surprise, her WhatsApp was already flooded with messages from friends.

The next second, a trending topic on Twitter caught her eye.

*Breaking! Mr. Carter Spotted Crawling Up Church Steps in Torrential Rain, Allegedly Begging for Reconciliation!”