Chapter 3: The Decision
1123 Words
~Clara’s POV~
I sat there, numb, staring at the ceiling like it held all the answers I desperately needed. The signed contract papers trembled slightly in my grip, my fingers barely steady. My voice cracked into the quiet room, barely above a whisper.
"I just made a decision... and I don't even know where it's going to lead me."
Nurse Tina gave me a sad smile, her eyes laced with something between hope and worry.
"Let’s believe everything turns out in your favor, Clara. And Mr. Donald... he’s not all that bad. He has a human conscience, I swear. But... he lacks one thing – something you deserve more than anything else. Love."
I looked at her and nodded, forcing a thin smile.
"Don’t worry. I've signed the contract. There's no going back... is there?"
"No, Clara. There isn’t." Tina responded pitifully.
Without another word, I stood, my legs heavy beneath me. I took the file containing the signed agreement and the pregnancy result – my last thread of truth – and walked out of the clinic into the cold world that had never welcomed me.
The sun was dipping behind the clouds, casting long shadows as I flagged down the next taxi to my home – no, Liam's house. I reminded myself it was no longer mine. Just a stop on my way out of hell.
But as the car rolled through the streets, a thought gripped me. “How would Mr. Donald or his assistant even know where to find me? They never asked for my address. Yet, his assistant said a driver would come pick me up. How's that possible?” I muttered to myself.
********
The taxi came to a halt in front of the apartment I once called home. The moment I stepped out, memories stabbed at me – love, laughter, betrayal – all crashing into one another. My world crumbled in a single day. I pushed forward and entered the building.
Inside, I found Nora at the dining table, chewing obnoxiously as if she owned the entire world.
"Well, well," she said with a smirk. "Look who we have here. Thought you left all strong and bold?"
I said nothing. What was there to say?
She stood and walked toward me, mock concern painted on her face.
"So… come to beg for forgiveness?"
I tilted my head. "Forgiveness? For what? For being betrayed?"
She laughed, tossing her long dark hair back. "I’m better than you in every way, Clara. That’s why your husband – I mean, your ex-husband – chose me. Want proof?" She grabbed my hand and forced it onto her stomach.
"Can you feel his seed inside me? The same thing you failed to give him for years."
I yanked my hand back, disgusted.
"Let go of me. You’re evil."
"Oh, you haven’t seen evil yet," she said with a twisted grin. And then – just like that – she dumped her cup of water on herself and hurled her plate of food onto the floor.
She gasped dramatically and yelled, "Honey! Honey, where are you? Clara is back to harm me and the baby!"
I stood frozen, my mouth parted in disbelief as Liam rushed into the room.
"She’s crazy!" Nora cried, now sitting on the floor, soaked and pretending to tremble. "Clara, I know you’re angry, but don’t hurt me and my baby!"
"Are you serious right now?" I gasped. "You poured that on yourself! I didn’t even touch you!"
Liam wasn’t listening. He knelt beside Nora, helping her up like she was some wounded angel. Then he turned to me, rage blazing in his eyes – and the next thing I felt was SLAP. The sound echoed like a shockwave in my ear – his hand cracked across my cheek so hard, I tasted blood.
"Clean up this mess," he growled. "And sign the damn divorce papers before you leave my house. But if you delay or refuse, I’m going to force you."
I clutched my cheek, pain flooding my senses. Blood trickled from the corner of my lips as I whispered, "I’m already here to do just that. No need for threats."
"Well, good!" he barked.
"I can’t wait to see you leave in tears," Nora added smugly.
I ignored her. I picked up a mop and cleaned the mess she made. Not because they deserved it, but because I was done. With everything. Once finished, I went inside and packed the little I had left.
Outside, they waited on the porch like kings over a ruin. They were whispering, no doubt expecting me to come crawling, begging. I didn’t.
"Where are the papers?" I asked.
Liam narrowed his eyes, confused by my calm. But he handed them over. I signed them with a hand that didn’t shake.
Just as I turned to leave, Nora hissed,
"Wait! We need to search her. She’s hiding something. She’s too calm – it means she stole something!"
"You’re right," Liam nodded.
"You have no right –!" I protested, but it was useless.
Nora snatched my handbag and unzipped it, dumping the contents to the ground. Everything fell – the file, my clinic papers, even the pregnancy result.
I rushed to gather them before their eyes could catch the words. My heart pounded as I tucked the result away, safe from their prying hands.
They kept laughing at me.
As I zipped my bag back up, I whispered coldly, "Good luck to you and your bastard baby."
Liam blinked. "What did you say?"
"She’s just jealous, baby," Nora sang out.
Liam snapped. He stormed toward me, grabbed a handful of my hair, and dragged me outside like a criminal. The sky was dark now, winds howling like they too had something to say.
He shoved me hard. I hit the ground, landing on my face and stomach. Pain shot through my belly as I curled into myself.
"My baby…" I whispered through gritted teeth, clutching my stomach. "My eyes… I can’t see… please… someone help…"
My voice faded as I lay there, my eyes burning, my vision blurry, and my heart bleeding.
Nora and Liam laughed behind me, mocking me.
"She’s pathetic," Nora scoffed.
"How was I able to cope with her all these years?" Liam mockingly asked himself. "You’re so irritating," he spat.
Just then… a sudden screech. A car pulled up.
The door flung open.
Footsteps approached. A man extended his hand to grab mine, though I couldn’t see clearly.
"Ms. Clara," he said gently. "This way."
His voice was calm, deep, certain.
He pressed a handkerchief into my hand and guided me as I wiped my eyes.
My vision slowly returned.
And when I looked up…
I froze.
It was him.
- Writer
