For fifty long years, Clara had poured her entire life into Arthur. When he was injured and disabled during a mission, she quit her respectable and stable job as a TV anchor, staying by his side, massaging his legs daily. He’d claimed he never wanted children, and for that, she suffered ten miscarriages, leaving her permanently infertile. Yet, not once did she utter a single word of complaint. Everyone used to say Arthur had won the cosmic lottery, blessed beyond measure to have a wife like Clara. But it wasn’t until Arthur finally passed away, after Clara had devoted her entire life to him, that she realized that in his eyes, she was never a blessing. She was merely an obstacle, a burden preventing him from being with his real wife and child. “How could that be? I’m Arthur’s wife, why can’t I get his death certificate?” At the City Hall Registrar’s office, a white-haired Clara clutched Arthur’s ashes, utterly bewildered as she questioned the clerk. “Ma’am, only immediate family can process a death certificate. According to our database, you are still registered as unmarried.” Clara’s trembling hand reached for her reading glasses, her gaze scanning the computer screen again and again. The clerk hadn’t lied. After fifty years with Arthur, her marital status still read: UNMARRIED! Before she could even process this bombshell, the clerk added, “We found that a Mr. Arthur was married fifty years ago. His wife was Vanessa, and they even had a child named Leo.” “Although Ms. Vanessa has passed away, you can reach out to Mr. Leo to process Mr. Arthur’s death certificate.” The moment she heard the names Vanessa and Leo, Clara felt a ringing in her ears, her world tilting on its axis. But… wasn’t Vanessa his *late brother’s* wife? His widowed sister-in-law? And Leo, his nephew? How had they suddenly become his wife and son? What was she, then? All these years, she’d tirelessly cared for Arthur, tended to the ailing Vanessa… What did that make her? A maid? Clara stumbled out of the City Hall Registrar’s office, her mind a dizzying blur. On the street, her phone buzzed with a call from Leo. “Aunt Clara,” Leo’s voice chirped, laced with a smug, almost gleeful tone, “Uncle Arthur left his entire estate to me. You don’t mind, do you?” “After all, I’m the last remaining bloodline of the Hamilton family. But he did leave a will, giving you a spot in the family mausoleum. Later, you can be buried alongside him.” “It’s our way of thanking you for taking care of him and my mom all these years.” Clara couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh. Fifty years of sacrifice, all for a chance to be buried next to him after death! Arthur, even on his deathbed, was still looking out for his “son.” Had he not once considered how *she* would live, with no job, no pension, facing the rest of her days utterly alone? Any lingering affection Clara had for Arthur finally evaporated, replaced by a burning hatred for the fifty years of deceit. She gazed at the urn in her hands, clutched so many times it was slick with sweat. She wanted to smash it on the spot! But fate, it seemed, wouldn’t even grant her that small catharsis. A runaway truck barreled towards her— *CRASH!* Clara’s vision exploded into a blinding, searing red. People seemed to be gathering around her, whispering and pointing. “Oh, I know that old lady. Her husband just passed, and she has no kids of her own. Guess it was her time, too.” “Yeah, completely alone in the world. Going with her husband, that’s not so bad. Maybe they’ll find love again in the next life.” No, no! Clara’s spirit furiously shook its head. If there truly was a next life, she would absolutely never, ever get involved with Arthur Hamilton again! … “Clara, have you thought this through?” “Are you truly going to give up the anchor job you worked so hard for, abandon your career, just to take care of your husband?” “You’re the backbone of our station, Clara! And you know there’s a scholarship for overseas study, an exchange program, leaving in seven days. This kind of opportunity is once in a lifetime. I’d already decided to put your name forward. Please, think about it carefully!” Clara stared at Director Hayes, the heartbroken head of the TV station, needing a moment to process his words. Arthur’s accident, her resignation—wasn’t this what happened in 1977? She had… reincarnated? 2 Clara didn’t hesitate. She clasped Director Hayes’s hand firmly. “Director, you’re absolutely right! I shouldn’t give up my future!” “Consider that resignation letter as never submitted!” Director Hayes let out a sigh of relief, giving her a gentle pat. “I’m glad you came to your senses, Clara.” “You’re about my daughter’s age, so don’t mind me for saying this, but giving up your career for a man is never a wise choice.” Clara nodded, a bittersweet ache in her heart. In her previous life, it had taken her an entire lifetime to learn that lesson. Thankfully, in this life, she wouldn’t be foolish enough to waste her love and devotion on the heartless Hamilton family. She glanced at the list Director Hayes was holding and spotted a familiar name. Director Hayes noticed her gaze and smiled. “Julian is a top anchor at the national network now. I remember he was your senior in college, right? You two can look out for each other abroad.” “Oh, I’ll contact him now. You can fly together on the private jet that day.” Clara thought of Julian, always so refined and gentle, and a flicker of anticipation stirred within her. Julian Miller. It had indeed been a long time. Returning home from the TV station, Clara reached for the doorknob, but paused, hearing Vanessa’s soft, syrupy voice from inside. “Arthur, you married me for Leo’s sake, giving Clara a fake marriage certificate to keep her in the dark. Now you’re injured, and I can’t quit my job to care for you and Leo, so you’re faking emotional instability to trick her into coming back.” “You’ve done so much for me. I truly don’t know how to thank you.” Arthur’s clear, deep voice replied, but his words pierced Clara’s heart like knives. “Don’t mention it, Vanessa. We grew up together. You chose my brother back then, but that doesn’t mean there’s no affection between us. My brother’s gone; it’s my duty to care for you and your son. The Hamilton family fortune will only ever go to Leo.” “As for Clara… you know I love her, and I’ve certainly wronged her. But she’s content with simple things; she doesn’t care about titles or empty promises. When we’re gone, being buried together will be enough compensation.” Vanessa’s voice returned, “But if she found out how you’re treating her, wouldn’t she leave you?” Arthur chuckled, his tone brimming with arrogant confidence. “How could she? She’s always been carefree and easygoing. As long as we don’t tell her, she won’t know. Besides, even if she did find out, she loves me too much to ever leave.” “I give my companionship to you, and my love to her. Isn’t that perfectly fair?” Clara’s fingers, wrapped around the doorknob, clenched abruptly. Arthur was utterly shameless, and far too confident. He actually believed Clara would endure all her grievances for love of him. But alas, she was no longer the Clara of her past life, the one who loved him to her very bones. Clara lifted a hand to wipe away a stray tear, then pushed the door open. The room fell silent in an instant. The dashing man in uniform, with his strong brows and captivating gaze, sat in his wheelchair, his lips slightly red. What they had just been doing was painfully obvious. A flicker of panic crossed Arthur’s eyes, quickly masked by the same irritable demeanor he’d displayed recently. “Clara, coming home so late? Are you trying to starve me?” Ever since his accident, his personality had become volatile and unpredictable, a far cry from his former gentle and considerate self. If she hadn’t just overheard his conversation with Vanessa, Clara would never have known he was faking it. All just to make her feel soft, to make her quit her job and return to care for him, to become the tireless, dutiful maid of the Hamilton household! Noticing Clara’s less-than-pleased expression, Vanessa quickly stepped in to play the peacemaker. “Now, now, Arthur. Clara’s planning to quit her job to come back and take care of you, isn’t she? Maybe she just got delayed on her way home from work.” Arthur, who had been as cold as an iceberg moments ago, instantly softened. “It’s alright, Vanessa. I was just giving her a hard time. She’s been so thoughtless.” “Your delicate stomach can’t wait for her to come back to cook, and Leo is still so young. How can I let you two wait?” Vanessa playfully tapped his wheelchair. “It’s not that serious… Ouch!” She cried out, and Arthur nearly sprang from his wheelchair in alarm. “Vanessa, what’s wrong?” “Nothing major. Just a splinter in my hand.” But Arthur still looked worried. He grabbed Vanessa’s hand and pulled her towards the bedroom. “A woman’s hands are delicate treasures. How is this not serious? We’re going upstairs to put some cream on it!” They left, oblivious to Clara, their intimate atmosphere thick with unspoken desire. Clara had thought her heart was beyond stirring, yet a sharp pang shot through her. He kept spouting platitudes about how precious a woman’s hands were, but she had countless times complained about her hands, chapped and sore from laundry, longing for a fancy moisturizer. Arthur had bought one, but he’d given it to Vanessa. He’d said, “Her job is special; she needs it more.” Back then, Clara couldn’t understand why his sister-in-law, a primary school teacher, would need hand cream more than she, a TV anchor who needed presentable hands. She could only attribute it to Arthur’s kindness towards his widowed sister-in-law. Now she understood. It wasn’t that women’s hands were precious; it was Vanessa’s hands that were precious to him. He simply didn’t care about her; he cared more about Vanessa. Thankfully, in seven days, she would be on a plane, flying across the ocean, far away from the Hamilton family’s sordid, twisted mess, never to return. 3 Clara quietly prepared dinner. She was an excellent cook, and Leo, smelling the delicious aroma, scampered out of his room. Seeing Clara carrying a steaming bowl of seafood porridge, a smirk, full of pure malice, spread across his small face. He stuck out his leg. Clara stumbled, the hot porridge splashing all over her, making her cry out in pain. But her cry was instantly drowned out by Leo’s wails. “Aunt Clara! I know you don’t like me, but how could you intentionally scald me?” “Waaah! Mommy, it hurts so much!” Hearing the cries, Vanessa and Arthur rushed over. Vanessa hugged Leo protectively, her eyes welling up with tears. “Clara, if you have an issue with me because of your resignation, take it out on me, don’t pick on my Leo!” Clara tried to explain, but Arthur brutally pushed her away. She staggered back, her waist slamming into a nearby cabinet, the pain so intense she nearly couldn’t straighten up. Arthur seemed blind to her suffering, speaking with disgust, “Clara, Leo is just a child! He’s my late brother’s only son! How can you be so vicious?” Clara looked up, glancing at the small, nail-sized redness on Leo’s arm, then down at the angry blisters covering her own arm. It was utterly ironic. For such a tiny scratch, he’d slapped such a heavy accusation on her. Yet, for that tiny scratch, Arthur was beside himself with worry, even insisting on taking Leo to the hospital. Before leaving, Leo, nestled in Arthur’s arms, stuck out his tongue at Clara. Clara watched his triumphant, mocking face and suddenly remembered the time he’d had a high fever. Vanessa was nowhere to be found, busy with who-knew-what, and Arthur was away on a mission. Clara came home from work to find Leo burning up with fever, almost delirious. The last bus had already left, and there were no taxis around to take them to the hospital. She stumbled and ran, carrying Leo on her back, all the way to the hospital, where she stayed by his side, hooked up to an IV drip for two days. She had truly loved Leo like her own child. Having no children of her own in her previous life, she had poured all her energy into supporting him. The inheritance her parents left her, she hadn’t spent a dime on herself, instead buying Leo a car and a house. But what had it all amounted to? That smug, self-satisfied phone call just before her death, and the malicious taunt from the child before her now, made Clara feel utterly worthless. True love wasn’t enough; her sincerity was met with nothing but deceit. Leo, at such a young age, had already gone completely astray. She wouldn’t be foolish enough to give him anything more. She turned and walked back to her room to treat her own wounds. The blisters on her arm were alarmingly large. Gritting her teeth, she used a needle sterilized over a flame to pierce them, then sprinkled on some medicine powder, but the pain was still excruciating. To distract herself, Clara started packing her luggage. After half a day of effort, she only managed to fill a single, small bag. It was almost laughable. In all her years with Arthur, she owned only a few changes of clothes, a couple of pairs of shoes. Her few pieces of jewelry were all heirlooms from her deceased parents. The Hamilton family wasn’t poor. Arthur’s parents were retired military, and Arthur himself had been a Colonel in the army, earning a generous monthly stipend of several hundred dollars. Yet, she calculated, all these years, she had never received a single cent from Arthur. In fact, she’d used her own salary to supplement their household expenses, never daring to spend money on herself. But Vanessa, a primary school teacher earning a modest salary, was adorned with a collection of gold necklaces and bracelets. Clara once again realized Arthur’s blatant favoritism, a thin, sharp thorn piercing her heart. She continued packing, finally reaching into the very back of the drawer where she’d carefully hidden her two marriage certificates. She still remembered the day Arthur brought them home, his face etched with guilt. “My brother hasn’t been gone long, so we can’t have a big wedding, Clara. I’m so sorry to put you through this.” “From now on, you’ll be the lady of the Hamilton house. I promise to be good to you.” Now, looking back, was he truly feeling guilty about not having a big wedding? His two short sentences, both utter lies, had deceived her for a lifetime, leaving her utterly heartbroken! Clara fought back tears, ripping the two fake certificates, now no more than worthless paper, into tiny shreds. 4 By the time Arthur returned from the hospital with Vanessa and Leo, Clara was already in bed. But because of the searing pain in her hand, her sleep was restless. The moment Arthur pushed open the door, she woke with a jolt. Hearing the sound of his wheelchair approaching, Clara’s heart was in knots. She felt a deep aversion to Arthur now. The thought of sleeping in the same bed as him made her stomach churn. Thankfully, Arthur stopped. Vanessa’s soft voice called to him from the doorway. “Arthur, Leo seems to be having a nightmare.” At those simple words, Arthur turned and left the room without hesitation. The room fell silent again, but moments later, strange noises began to filter through from next door. Clara tried to ignore them, but the night was still, and her hearing was unnervingly sharp. She heard fragmented moans from a woman and the heavy breathing of a man. “Arthur, easy! What if Clara finds out?” “Then keep your voice down, Vanessa. Clara’s next door, doesn’t that make it even more exciting for you?” “Oh, you! Don’t call me Vanessa at a time like this, darling.” “Hmm? You want me to call you wife? You’re such a tease.” “It’s only because you said Clara was unresponsive in bed, like a cold fish. What, you don’t like me this way?” “I love it, of course I love it. I love my wife the most.” Their explicit words, raw and vulgar, drilled into Clara’s ears. She never imagined that, separated by a single wall, she would become a prop in their foreplay. And from their words, it seemed this wasn’t their first time. Clara remembered Arthur’s repeated assurances that his relationship with Vanessa was purely one of care and responsibility. She could only laugh at the bitter irony. Caring for his widowed sister-in-law? Caring for her right into his bed? He clearly wasn’t afraid of his late brother coming back to haunt him! She wondered how many nights they had spent together under the guise of Leo having nightmares. A wave of nausea surged through Clara. She struggled to get up, rushing to the bathroom to throw up. Hearing the sounds, Arthur quickly emerged from Vanessa’s room. His eyes still held traces of lingering lust, but his voice was full of feigned concern. “Clara, are you alright?” “Did you not eat tonight? Is your stomach upset from hunger?” He stepped closer, gently patting Clara’s back. As if he wasn’t the same man who had slapped her for Leo, the same man who had been having an illicit encounter with Vanessa next door. Arthur had always been like this. After slapping her, he would offer her a few sweet crumbs. Making her sad again and again, yet making her believe he still loved her. But now, she only felt revulsion, as if she would vomit up her very bile. Her stomach was empty, and a mysterious pain bloomed in her lower abdomen. Clara wanted to stand up, to distance herself from Arthur, but the moment she rose, her vision went black. Before she lost consciousness completely, she heard Arthur’s panicked shouts. “Clara, wake up!” 5 When Clara woke again, she was in the hospital. She smelled the sterile scent of disinfectant, and before she even opened her eyes, she heard Vanessa’s deliberately lowered voice beside her. “Arthur, even though Leo cried several times when he found out about her pregnancy, it’s still your flesh and blood. You don’t always have to put us first.” Her passive-aggressive tactic was always perfectly timed. Arthur’s reply was decisive. “No, we can’t keep this baby.” “I’ll lie to Clara, tell her the baby has a defect so she’ll terminate the pregnancy. Leo feels insecure, and I can’t let him be upset.” He offered Vanessa a few more words of comfort, then turned and met Clara’s gaze. A flicker of panic crossed Arthur’s face. “Clara, you… you’re awake? When did you wake up? Why didn’t you say anything?” Clara spoke, her voice hoarse. “Just now.” “Then did you hear what the doctor said?” Arthur’s cautious probe made Clara pull at the corner of her mouth in a bitter smile. “I didn’t hear anything. Weren’t you the only one here just now?” Hearing her say that, Arthur visibly relaxed, then hesitated before speaking again. “Clara, you’re pregnant. Two months along.” “But the doctor told me the baby might not be developing well. He suggested we terminate the pregnancy. Do you agree?” Arthur felt a pang of guilt. He knew Clara had longed for a child of their own for a long time. But for Leo’s sake, he had to do this. He had even prepared fake medical reports, expecting Clara to be reluctant to give up the baby. To his surprise, before he could even produce them, Clara on the hospital bed simply whispered, “Okay.” Arthur almost thought he’d misheard. “What did you say?” Clara repeated calmly, “I said, okay. Let’s terminate this pregnancy.” Born into a home devoid of love, this child would be unfortunate. Arthur didn’t want her to have a child who might steal Leo’s inheritance, and she certainly didn’t want her child to have to fight for their father’s affection. A child should have it all. If not, then it was better not to have one at all. Arthur looked at Clara, so decisive, and felt a strange tightness in his chest. For some reason, he felt like Clara had changed, somehow. But what exactly was different, he couldn’t pinpoint. He simply told himself he was overthinking things. She was being so compliant; he should be happy. Clara underwent the abortion. It was her first since her rebirth, but her eleventh across two lifetimes. When she felt that warm flow from within her, Clara still couldn’t stop her eyes from welling up. Arthur, holding her hand, tried to comfort her, “Don’t be sad, Clara. We’ll have other children.” But they both knew it was a lie. There wouldn’t be. Never again. Clara didn’t respond, and Arthur didn’t know what else to say. The atmosphere between them grew awkward. But thinking back, this was a rare moment of peace. Ever since Vanessa and Leo moved into their house, Clara had been like a different person—fussy, unreasonable. Now, looking at Clara’s pale face, Arthur’s heart softened slightly. He was about to say something, to tell her he would be good to her, that she shouldn’t always overthink things, when the hospital room door opened again. Vanessa walked in, smiling, carrying a lunchbox. “Poor Clara, you’ve been through so much. I went to that popular diner and bought some food to help you recover.” The tin lunchbox opened, revealing a generous portion of greasy braised pork, fatty pork hocks, and even some shrimp. Clara took one look and felt nauseous. But Arthur, relieved, unhesitatingly took the box and placed it before her. “Vanessa, these dishes are hard to come by. Even after Clara made such a scene, you’re still so thoughtful. You really have a good heart.” Then, he winked at Clara. Clara pretended not to see him. She knew exactly what Arthur meant: he wanted her to apologize to Vanessa, using this “kindness” as an easy out. But why should she? She hadn’t done anything wrong. The ones who had committed the sordid acts were him and Vanessa! Clara remained silent, but Vanessa immediately seized the opportunity. “Yes, I stood in line for ages, my legs almost cramped up.” As she spoke, she casually lifted the hem of her dress. Arthur’s gaze fell on Vanessa’s smooth, shapely calves, and his eyes darkened. “Clara, you eat first. I’ll take Vanessa to an acupuncturist for her leg. After all, she got cramped up because of you.” Clara looked at him. Through two lifetimes, over fifty years, she knew Arthur’s current state intimately. He was aroused. He was aroused by Vanessa, right here in the hospital, while she lay recovering from her abortion. 6 But she simply said, “Okay, go ahead.” The next two days unfolded in the same way. Vanessa would come to deliver food, always complaining of some ache or pain, and Arthur would take her out for a “massage.” Arthur completely disregarded the fact that Clara couldn’t eat any of the rich, heavy dishes Vanessa brought. After three days in the hospital, Clara had lost a noticeable amount of weight. Even the nurses looked at her with pity. Clara merely offered a faint smile, feeling no sadness at all. Perhaps she had become desensitized. Now, even if she saw Arthur and Vanessa openly together, her heart wouldn’t stir in the slightest. However, she hadn’t expected that even after retreating so completely, wanting only to leave soon, some people still considered her an eyesore. Returning from the hospital, she found her neatly packed bag had been rummaged through. A bad feeling bloomed in Clara’s chest. She checked, and her jade bracelet, hidden in the deepest corner, was gone. Her mother and father had a deep, loving relationship. Her father had died a hero years ago, and her mother had remained a widow for most of her life. This jade bracelet was a token of her father’s love for her mother, and her mother’s only keepsake. On her deathbed, her mother had given the bracelet to Arthur, asking him to put it on Clara’s wrist himself, promising to be good to her for life. Arthur had sworn then and there, “If I’m ever not good to Clara, let me be abandoned by all, and my family destroyed!” Clara had quickly covered his mouth. Back then, she truly believed Arthur. It was only after she discovered he had been deceiving her all along that she took off the bracelet. But where was the bracelet now? Clara frantically searched, turning the house upside down. Until she saw Leo, playing in the yard with a group of friends, casually swinging *her* jade bracelet. Clara’s heart leaped into her throat. “Leo, give me back my bracelet!” Leo turned, sticking out his tongue at her. “My mom doesn’t even have a bracelet like this, why should you get to have it?” “I’ll smash it before I let you wear it, nyah nyah nyah!” He carelessly tossed the bracelet to the ground. *CRACK!* The bracelet shattered into several pieces. Not content, Leo stomped on the fragments. “Useless bracelet, useless bracelet! Here, you can have it back! Go pick it up yourself!” The string of rationality in Clara’s mind snapped. She lunged forward, slapping Leo’s smug face. Leo fell to the ground, immediately bursting into loud wails. “Mean lady! She’s bullying me! I’ll tell Daddy to kick you out!” “Clara! You’re bullying Leo again!” Clara, who had just managed to pick up the shattered pieces of the bracelet and stand, was sent sprawling by an enraged Arthur. Sharp fragments instantly dug into her palm, leaving a bloody mess. Arthur didn’t even glance at her. He pushed his wheelchair to Leo’s side, cradling him and soothing him softly. “Leo, it’s Aunt Clara’s fault. I’ll make her apologize to you.” Clara, of course, refused. “He was the one who smashed my bracelet first! Do you know that bracelet was my mom’s—” Arthur impatiently cut her off, “Your mom is dead! It’s just a cheap bracelet! You can buy another one!” Clara staggered back two steps, swaying precariously. Arthur realized he’d spoken too harshly, a flicker of guilt crossing his eyes. But that flicker vanished without a trace when he saw Vanessa’s tears. “Arthur, I think Leo and I should just move out. I can take care of Leo on my own, and then we won’t interfere with your relationship.” Looking at Vanessa, who was bravely suppressing her own hurt while still considering their feelings, and then at the stubborn Clara, Arthur quickly made his choice. His face filled with disappointment. “Clara, I’m asking you one more time: are you really not going to apologize to Leo?” “I didn’t do anything wrong. Why should I apologize?” “Fine! Fine! Your temper is getting more and more unreasonable, Clara. Don’t blame me for what happens next!” Arthur let out a furious laugh, immediately contacting his subordinates in the army. “I suspect Clara is in contact with foreign powers, selling state secrets. Take her in and interrogate her thoroughly!” The “evidence” he presented was the foreign language letter sent by the overseas professor Director Hayes had arranged! 7 Clara felt as though she’d been plunged into icy water, cold from head to toe. The current political climate was much more open than before, but being linked to foreign powers would still inevitably lead to intense interrogation. Arthur, being in the army himself, had seen those who were interrogated, even describing their horrific plight to her. Yet now, to protect Leo and Vanessa, he was willingly sending her there himself. She was escorted away. Before they left, Arthur leaned in and whispered a few words to her. “Did you think by faking a study abroad letter, you could play hard to get? That I’d kick out Vanessa and Leo for you? This is a lesson for you, Clara. Don’t get any wild ideas!” If he had only looked down, at that moment he uttered his cruel words, Clara’s last shred of hope for him had utterly died. But he didn’t. He had abandoned her countless times before; why would this time be any different? Clara didn’t resist, had no strength to. She was thrown into a dark interrogation room, the cold, damp air instantly raising goosebumps all over her. The man in charge of her interrogation was one of Arthur’s subordinates. His eyes were filled with disdain. He held a whip and lashed it directly at her! *WHIP! WHIP!* Again and again, the salt-soaked whip left deep, bleeding gashes on her body. Clara screamed, unable to control herself, her voice raw with pain. She demanded coldly, “Is this a proper interrogation method? You’re just pure sadism!” Her screams and accusations did not stir a hint of pity in the man. Instead, he whipped her even harder. “Our Colonel Hamilton is upright and just! He lost his legs for our country! And you, you collude with foreign powers? You’re a disgrace to him!” “Colonel Hamilton specifically told me to give you a good lesson. He said he’d take responsibility for anything that happened. Clara, I advise you to confess honestly: what did that letter truly say?” Was his love truly that deep? Did Arthur love Vanessa and Leo so much that he would let her endure such torture? She was in a daze from the pain, about to speak, when the man sneered again. “Forget it. You’ll just argue anyway. Beat her first! Drag her out and beat her hard!” He waved his hand, and two men immediately appeared, dragging Clara away. Four days. The nightmare lasted for a grueling four days. She didn’t know how many lashes she’d endured; her fingers were constantly bruised and swollen from being crushed. Each time Clara lost consciousness, a bucket of saltwater would be mercilessly thrown on her, jolting her awake. Her entire body felt like it had no good flesh left; every inch of her skin screamed in agony. Clara even thought she was going to die there. Until the interrogation room door opened, and Vanessa pushed Arthur in, seated in his wheelchair. Arthur looked down at her, bound and broken, a flicker of pity in his eyes. “Clara, four days have passed. Do you regret what you’ve done?” “Vanessa is broad-minded; she won’t hold a grudge about you trying to push her and Leo out. Just apologize properly, and I’ll take you home.” Clara’s heart had long died, but hearing his words, she couldn’t help but let out a cynical laugh. “Oh, really? Fine. I’m sorry.” “I shouldn’t have had issues with Vanessa and Leo. I shouldn’t have interfered with your efforts to flirt with them. And most of all, I shouldn’t have appeared in the Hamilton house at all, disturbing your perfect little family of three. Is that enough?” Arthur looked at her bloodshot eyes, and a sudden panic seized him. “Clara, that’s not what I meant!” “Vanessa and I are completely innocent. I only promised my late brother I’d take good care of her and Leo. You know that, don’t you? Why can’t you understand me a little?” Vanessa added fuel to the fire. “Indeed, Clara clearly misunderstood our relationship. Arthur, perhaps Leo and I shouldn’t appear before you two anymore.” Arthur rejected the idea without a second thought. “No! This is the second time, Vanessa. I don’t want to hear you say that again. If you and Leo leave, how will I face my brother?” Arthur looked at Clara, his eyes filled with disappointment. “Clara, you truly are too unreasonable. Stay here and reflect!” He turned his wheelchair, leaving in a huff. Vanessa didn’t rush to follow him. She walked up to Clara, casually lifting her chin. “See? With just a little effort, Arthur won’t listen to a word you say.” As she spoke, she ran a hand over her slightly swollen belly, her expression smug and triumphant. “You don’t know yet, do you, Clara? I’m pregnant with Arthur’s child.” 8 Clara’s head shot up. She squeezed out a single sentence from her raw throat. “How many months?” Vanessa smiled. “Three months, actually.” Three months. A month older than the child she hadn’t been able to keep.
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