Chapter 23 âClara, just because I ignored your little temper tantrum, you go and abort our child? How could I have ever known you to be so cruel!â
Clara glared back at him, her eyes bloodshot with fury. âI told you, it wasnât me! Youâre the one who killed our baby, not me!â
âThe proof is right there in black and white. Are you still trying to wiggle out of this?â
âWhat if I told you someone tampered with the medical records? Would you believe that?â
lan let out a cold, mocking laugh. âThis hospital belongs to the Hayes family. Once a record is entered into the system, itâs locked down. Even I canât alter it. If youâre going to lie, Clara, at least get your story straight!â
He released his grip, his gaze lingering on the red marks on Claraâs pale neck while a sharp pain twisted in his chest.
Claraâs face was ghostly as she stared back at lan. This was the man she had loved for seven years, the man she had cared for, for three years. He would never believe her, no matter what.
A desolate smile crept onto her face, the resentment in her eyes growing more intense. âlan, shouldnât you be relieved? Relieved I didnât use the baby to trap you into marrying me?â
âThe nerve you have! Even if there had been a child, I would never have married you!â
Clara managed a stiff smile. She should be grateful the baby was gone. Otherwise, the child would have lived a life marred by the stigma of illegitimacy. Her gaze was resolute as she faced lan. âI didnât want any ties with the Hayes family, lan. I didnât want my child to have a father like you, so I ended it. Are you happy now?â
lan had never felt such rage. It felt as though every cell in his body was screaming. He clenched his fist and smashed it into the wall, blood trickling down the pristine surface.
He glared at Clara with venomous eyes, his voice like that of a demon risen from hell. âClara, you owe me for this!â With those words, he kicked open the door and stormed out.
Heidi jogged after him, her voice laced with anxiety. âlan, youâre hurt. Let me bandage that up for you.â
No matter how much Heidi called out, lan didnât stop. He got into his car and floored the gas pedal, his mind swirling with thoughts of Clara aborting their child. How much must she hate him to be so heartless, not even sparing their own flesh and blood? His hands clenched the steering wheel, his foot pressing the accelerator to the floor.
Chase looked at the blood on the wall, then at Claraâs pale face, and couldnât help but shake his head. âSoap opera dramaâs got nothing on you two. Canât you just talk things out without going fullâon War of the Roses?â
He picked up the report from the floor. âlanâs right. The hospital records are untouchable. Clara, whatâs really going on? Talk to me, and I can help you investigate.â
The tears Clara had been holding back finally fell, streaming down her cheeks. She wiped them away quickly, her voice filled with defeat. âThereâs no need.â
She wanted to keep some dignity. What did it matter if they found proof she wasnât lying? The child wouldnât come back. lan wouldnât have an ounce of sympathy for her.
Clara stood up, her steps heavy as she walked towards the door. But just as she reached it, her phone rang from her pocket.
Seeing it was Anders calling, she answered immediately. âAnders, whatâs wrong?â
Andersâ voice was frantic. âClara, come back now! Mr. Casey has passed out.â
Clara hadnât even recovered from the shock of lanâs accusations when her fatherâs critical condition hit her like a blow. Her head spun, and she staggered back, feeling faint.
Seeing her distress, Chase immediately asked, âWhatâs happened? Is it your dad?â
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