Chapter 5 - Clara’s Final Secret
The doctor allowed me into Clara’s room that evening.
Ben remained near the window.
Clara opened her eyes when I sat beside the bed.
“You found me,” she whispered.
“Nathan called.”
Her expression tightened.
“He wasn’t supposed to call until later.”
“He thought later might be too late.”
For several seconds, neither of us spoke.
Then I looked toward the second wristband.
“Are you pregnant?”
Her eyes filled.
“Yes.”
I could not breathe.
“Whose baby?”
Ben turned from the window, anger flashing across his face.
Clara answered before he could.
“Yours.”
The embryo had been created during our marriage.
After the divorce, Clara learned her cancer had advanced. Doctors told her the remaining embryo would probably be destroyed when the storage agreement expired.
She made a decision I struggled to understand.
Before beginning aggressive treatment, she had the embryo transferred.
“You did this after we divorced?”
“Eleven days after.”
“Why?”
“Because everything else had already been taken.”
Her voice was weak but steady.
“Our pregnancies. Our marriage. My health.”
She placed one hand over her abdomen.
“I wanted one thing we loved to have a chance to live.”
I stared at her.
“You should have told me.”
“I was afraid you’d think I was trapping you.”
“You were carrying my child.”
“You thought my treatment bills were financial betrayal.”
I had no defense.
She reached toward the bedside drawer and gave me a sealed envelope.
The letter Nathan had mentioned.
Inside was proof of paternity, guardianship documents, and instructions naming me as the child’s father.
Ben was listed as temporary guardian only if I refused or could not be located.
May you like
He had never been replacing me.
He had been preparing to protect my daughter if I failed to return.
