Dumped When Pregnant, Chased by Ex-Husband

Liam didn't wait for Clara to speak, he simply picked her up and placed her on his lap. Clara felt a momentary loss of weight, and by the time she reacted, she was already cradled on his lap, her head pressed against his chest.

The powerful sound of his heartbeat right by her ear gave Clara an instant delusion, as if she too was someone he carefully cherished.

She knew they were getting divorced, yet she couldn't help but yearn for the feeling of being tightly held by him. It was different from the embraces shared as part of marital duties, her heart was fluttering so wildly it felt like it might burst out of her chest.

Just this one last indulgence, Clara admonished herself.

Secretary Johnson was holding the steering wheel steady, trying to make the ride as smooth as possible, but Clara still found herself heaving occasionally, her stomach burning. She couldn't tell if it was from hunger or nausea.

Upon reaching Jade Dragon Bay, Edward Harper strode out of the car and walked to the apartment building, leaving a feverishly sick Clara and Liam in the car.

Opening the window, fresh air poured in, and Clara started feeling a bit better, primarily because the person bothering her wasn't there.

"Secretary Johnson, do you have a girlfriend yet?"

Liam was called out by name, thinking Young Madam might want to introduce him to a girlfriend, he hurriedly declared his relationship status,

"I've recently been set up with someone, we've met each other's parents, and we're planning to get our marriage certificate."

Clara pursed her lips and hummed a response, "That's great, congratulations. You should take this necklace and give it to your fiancée. It's a pretty ruby, girls should like it."

Liam looked at the delicate small box extended by Young Madam and broke out in a cold sweat,

"Young Madam, this necklace is one of only two in the world. One is set aside for the launch event, and the other is in your hands, this is Director Harper's affection for you!"

Where would Liam dare to accept it? Not to mention the hefty price, it was a symbol of Mrs. Harper's status. If Director Harper were to find out, he would have his head.

Didn't every new product crafted by the Harper Clan each season have to be offered first to Young Madam? Others could only dream of such luck.

"Young Madam, you better keep it. If Director Harper comes out and sees you like this, he'll skin me alive."

Liam looked outside cautiously, relieved not to see Edward Harper's figure.

Seeing that Liam dared not accept it, Clara didn't insist and stuffed the item carelessly into her bag,

"Fine, if you don't want it, I'll give it to someone else later."

Mainly, she found the jewelry repulsive at the moment. She thought about him going up there, having been a while, and had no idea what the two of them were up to.

For all she knew, they might already be in a passionate embrace, and here she was, the legitimate wife who had personally delivered him, waiting foolishly downstairs.

How ridiculous.

Upstairs, Edward Harper exited the elevator and directly unlocked the door with his fingerprint.

As soon as the door opened, Aria Knight flung herself into his arms, her warm and soft body filling his embrace.

"Aria, where do you feel uncomfortable? Let's go to the hospital now."

Aria had deliberately applied a light, demure makeup before his arrival and restyled her wavy hair, which was elegantly charming across her back. She radiated health and beauty, with not a trace of illness. Clinging tightly to Edward Harper's lean waist, she rubbed against his chest,

"Ahsen, my heart was racing just now, I was worried it might be a heart attack. Don't believe me? Feel my heart?"

Edward Harper had been in such a rush when he came in that his mind was a bit clouded, but seeing her well, he calmed down and his intellect started returning gradually.

"Let go of me first."

He held his arms out, not daring to lower them, posing as if to surrender. Aria was gripping his waist tightly, and he felt an inexplicable impatience.

"Aria, no more jokes like this in the future."

Aria reluctantly let go of him. Seeing his meticulous and stern face, she felt a sense of fear.

"Don't be mad, I just missed you a bit. Please, don't leave today, I've made your favorite braised pork ribs."

"I'm busy today, maybe another time."

Seeing that she was alright, Edward Harper made a move to leave. He was somewhat worried about the sick woman downstairs.

Aria became anxious as she saw him ready to leave.

"Ahsen, stay with me a few more minutes, okay? I have something to show you."

Aria went to the study and took out a painting she had been working on for a long time to show him.

"Edward, take a look at this pair of rings I designed, symbolizing loyalty and commitment. How about we use them as our wedding rings?"

Edward Harper's patience was limited today, perhaps because of Clara Knox's previous act, his response was dismissive, "You decide on your own, I'll have the workers make it when the time comes."

Aria Knight was ecstatic inside; he had no objections to the wedding rings, so that must mean he intended to marry her, right? Just one last step away from becoming his bride, her years of waiting weren't in vain.

As for the last step…

She needed to put in more effort, to speed things up.

"Edward, do you want some ribs? I spent the whole afternoon cooking it, learned it just for you, and even scalded my hand."

Aria coquettishly led Edward to the kitchen, and he was forcibly fed a piece of rib.

When he got back to the car, Clara smelled the stewed meat and perfume on him, and her stomach churned violently.

Edward took a breath and glanced at her,

"I saw you were fine before I got into the car, so how come you start throwing up the moment I enter?"

Clara paused for a moment, feeling almost incredulous,

"You think I'm faking it? Pretending to be sick to stop you from meeting your lover?"

Edward was angered by her words,

"Mind your language, don't forget who you are."

Clara laughed silently, the kind that hurt to the core. Then, she leaned against the car window, silent.

What grounds did she have now to call Aria his lover? Not to mention she's signed the divorce agreement; even if she hadn't, she still had no right.

Her meekness, like a lamb to the slaughter, extinguished Edward's anger.

He glanced at her, Clara's pale face resting against the window, her eyes downcast. The lips that had once been full were now colorless. There were also two shallow red fingerprints on one side of her neck from when he had grabbed her earlier.

She looked so vulnerable.

"Come here!"

His authoritative tone shattered the silence in the car.

Clara looked at him with suspicion.

"Aren't you feeling unwell? Do you still want to lean there?"

Clara turned her head stubbornly, ignoring him, only to be forcibly held in his lap. The next second, she saw a faint lipstick mark on his chest and tears uncontrollably spilled from her eyes.

What grave sin had she committed to deserve being dragged here to be force-fed a dose of jealousy?

When Edward noticed the wet patch on his chest, the car had already stopped inside the old family mansion's courtyard.

With ease, he picked up the woman in his arms from his lap, glanced at his soiled shirt, and his brows furrowed into a deep "V" shape.

After getting out of the car, Edward slowed his pace somewhat, and Clara scurried a few steps to catch up, holding onto his arm as they entered. This act, their routine upon returning home, had been perfected after countless repetitions.

The grand living room, with its high ceilings, was decorated lavishly.

Old Mr. Harper was a Buddhist, and the faint scent of sandalwood at the entrance eased Clara's stomach somewhat.

The butler Uncle Zhong called out loudly into the house, "Master, the young master and Young Madam are back!"

Turning to Clara with a smile, he joked, "Young Madam, if you came any later, those shrimps wouldn't last, Miss Bella has been fretting all afternoon, and Master hasn't given in, just waiting for you to come home."

Edward smirked, "With her tiny bird's appetite, leaving ten shrimps is enough to fill her for a day."

Old Mr. Harper came out of his study, in high spirits. The elderly man, nearing octogenarian, looked robust for his age, and some might even believe he was just 70.

"What's all the chatter about? Clara, come here!"

Clara sweetly called out 'grandpa' and obediently stood by the old man's side.