A New Chapter Of Life After Seven Years Of Marriage

Everyone said Jerald Lucas, the cold-faced CEO, only loved his wife, Clara Rernald.

But on their seventh wedding anniversary, Jerald was drugged and ended up in bed with someone else.

When Clara arrived at the scene, she smelled the romantic air in the room and saw torn lingerie lay scattered across the floor.

Jerald knelt before her, stabbing his own chest seven times, swearing he would never betray her again.

From that day, Jerald went mad trying to make it up to her. Yet, deep down, Clara knew there was no going back for them. Until a photograph appeared in their mail box that prompted Clara to decide to leave him for good.

1.

In the photo, Jerald was cautiously supporting Cecilia Lewis, and it seemed they were at the obstetrics department of a hospital.

In the mailbox, there was an envelope with an address on it, which was a newly built posh-mansion community in Hallen, the city where they were living and also home to the most elite figures in the city. Jerald had bought Mansion No. 1 in the community for Clara.

And the address she was reading now was No. 2.

Clara had a strange premonition.

She grabbed the keys and drove to the address. She found the door of the mansion ajar when she arrived.

She saw Jerald was in the house. His face was still clouded. Beside him stood his good friend Nathan Riley.

Nathan surveyed the house then spoke with a hint of displeasure in his voice. "Is this your secret hideaway for a lover? A new home for you? Aren't you worry that Clara would find out?"

Jerald frowned at Nathan's barrage of questions

"She won't. Clara loves me. Even if she finds out, she'll forgive me."

Clara couldn't help but let out a cold laugh at his words.

"And Cecilia is pregnant. My father said if I don't have an heir soon, he'll take care of Clara.

So an heir is what I need. I can't abandon this child. When Cecilia gives birth, the child will be Clara's and mine. He'll be the future leader of our family."

Nathan puzzled, "Can't you and Clara just have one yourselves? Why have another woman involved in this?"

Jerald shook his head. "Clara is unable to conceive, so this child must stay. Or I wouldn't have orchestrated the drugging incident. Cecilia's background is clean, perfect to bear this child for Clara."

Besides, I've found Cecilia is a nice girl during this time. Maybe I could continue this relationship with her."

Listening to their conspiracy, Clara felt a chill run through her heart.

As she retreated, a fragrance wafted from behind. Cecilia, with her pregnant belly, bumped into her defiantly.

Everything was clear. Cecilia wanted Clara to witness it, betting she wouldn't forgive Jerald as easily as last time.

Clara turned and left.

She heard Jerald's caring voice behind her, "You're pregnant. Just tell the assistants to handle everything."

That evening, Jerald suddenly cook a big meal himself.

He looked like Clara's dog when he tried to please her.

"Clara, sorry I've been busy lately and haven't had time for you. Try it. See if I'm still a good cook."

Clara ate with her head down, a cold smile lingering in her heart. So this was how a man compensated his wife for his wrongdoing.

Suddenly they heard hurried footsteps outside the dining room.

Jerald's assistant appeared. He was sweating profusely and looked troubled.

"Sir. Ma'am," he said respectfully.

"Sir, your father has sent a message to you that he'll announce the heir at his birthday banquet this year."

Jerald was slightly impatient. "I got it."

Everyone knew Jerald's father held significant influence over Hallen. Jerald was his youngest son. For years, a successor to take over Lucas Group, the company of their family, had not been chosen.

Though finishing his words, the assistant did not retreat but edged forward. His throat trembled nervously before he dared to utter the second half of the message, "Mr. Lucas said... said the heir must be the child of you and Mrs. Lucas here. If by the end of the year, she's not pregnant, he'll consider other relatives."

Clara scoffed. Everyone knew Jerald's father cherished him. How could he hand over the Lucas Group to others?

Clara's gaze fell on the assistant's shifting eyes, and she chuckled softly. What was the point for making such a scene like this?

Three years ago, she had severely injured her back protecting Jerald, and the doctor warned her then that pregnancy would be ten times riskier for her than for other women.

Over the years, Jerald forbade anyone from mentioning anything about a child, even reprimanding the maid for uttering a word about it in her presence.

Sure enough, Jerald suddenly turned to the assistant, with the ruthlessness of a CEO flashing in his eyes. "What does Dad want?"

Seeing the assistant shrink back in fear, Jerald suddenly sighed in relief and turned to hold Clara in his arms. "Don't listen to them."

He rested his chin on her hair, "I don't care about our family's business. We could live a humble life. As for children, Father shouldn't even consider it. I can't stand the thought of you being in pain."

Buried in his arms, Clara felt only a chilling coldness. He was lying. He wanted to make her suggest he go find someone else to have a child.

As she expected, lying in bed that night, he wrapped around her from behind and suddenly chuckled softly, "Actually, I think children are quite adorable."

Clara's back stiffened.

"If they had your eyes, they'd be the most beautiful kids."

He buried his face in her neck, trying to please her with his breath brushing her skin.

Clara spoke softly, "Jerald, do you really want a child so badly?"

Jerald paused, then explained, "No... What I was saying... Never mind. Just sleep."

Clara didn't catch the rest of his words. She just turned over. And stayed sleepless all night.

Jerald had been burdened with the mission of being the Lucas family's heir since birth. For someone from a wealthy family, love was probably the least significant thing in their life.

Even now, he hadn't thought to be honest with her.

Every word was paving the way for the child in Cecilia's belly.

Having loved him for seven years, having spent her time with him for seven years, she ultimately could not escape the fate of ending their marriage.

As expected, one morning soon after that day, Jerald knelt before Clara.

He showed a few faint scars on his chest that hadn't faded in a casual white shirt with rolled-up sleeves.

He got them when he protected her from stabbing by a knife years ago.

Clara sneered, knowing that he'd show these scars to garner her sympathy every time he had made a mistake.

"Clara, I was wrong." He looked up at her with his eyes full of vulnerability. "Cecilia... Cecilia is pregnant. My father unexpectedly knew it and insists that the child must be kept."

Clara responded nonchalantly, "OK."

Jerald reached out, trying to take Clara's hand, but stopped midway. "Clara, I know this is unfair to you, but I... I can't let our family's business fall into the hands of outsiders.

You're not in good health, and I can't bear the thought of you going through pregnancy. Let's have Cecilia give birth to the child. And once she does, I'll send her away with a substantial sum of money and tell her to disappear.

This child... this child will be ours, alright?"

He added, "I know how much this hurts you. I'm worried about you, too. Trust me, you're the only one in my heart."

Clara looked at Jerald kneeling on the floor. This man, a CEO whom many were fearful of, now begging her for forgiveness like a child.

She chuckled softly and asked, "Jerald, are you sure this is what you want to do?"

Jerald was taken aback and frowned slightly with a hint of displeasure. "Clara, I have no other option. It was just an accident. If I hadn't been drugged, how could I have slept with her? Moreover, I can't just stand by and let anyone take away the Lucas family's century-old business to which my father has dedicated for his whole life. I need this child to stabilize the situation. You understand me, right... ?"

"Sure." Clara interrupted him, "Then let her have the baby."

Jerald looked up abruptly, a glimmer of surprise in his eyes. "Clara, you'll agree?"

Clara didn't look at him. She merely replied, "Mm," then turned to walk upstairs.

Jerald stood up and sighed in relief when watching her walking upstairs. He quickly followed to hold her, but she gently avoided his touch.

He paused and did not step forward again.

After returning to her room, Clara pulled out her phone and finally dialed a number she knew by heart.

The call was answered after three rings, and spoke a man surprisingly, "Clara? Have you finally made up your mind?"

Clara's eyes were brimmed with tears. But she forced herself to hold her tears.

Mathew Rernald, Clara's brother, said in a tone filled with joy but little surprise.

She went missing when she was a child. And when her brother found her again, she was already married to Jerald.

She hadn't figured out how to confess her true identity to Jerald then suddenly appeared Cecilia. Now, she realized there was no need to confess anything to him.

After taking a deep breath, Clara said, "Mathew, I've made up my mind. I want to come home."

There was a brief silence on the other end. Then Mathew's voice, choked with emotion, came through, "It's good that you're coming back..."

He paused and spoke with a deeper voice, "Did Jerald hurt you? Clara, just tell me."

Though Clara had already downplayed the pain and grievances she had recently, there was a moment of silence on the other end.

Then Mathew said with concern, "Sure, whatever you say.

But remember, you are a member of the Rernald family. No matter what happens, our family stands strong."

Clara felt her nose tingled and couldn't hold back her tears any longer, "I know."

After hanging up, Clara looked at the phone screen displaying a photo of her and Jerald. It was taken on their third wedding anniversary, in which he was holding her.

She fondled his face in the photo, with tears dropping onto the screen.

At the dinner, the warm light cast a glow over the plates, and the steak gleamed with grease.

Clara cut a small piece of steak and ate it with a fork. However it tasted hard and insipid.

Outside, darkness had fallen, and raindrops began to hit the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Jerald's phone rang. He glanced at the screen and answered in a softened tone, "Hello?"

A woman's fragmented sobs came from the other end, "Jerald... My stomach hurts... It's raining so hard outside, I'm scared... "

Jerald frowned then instinctively looking at Clara, looking troubled.

Clara lifted her eyes to meet Jerald's. A smile unexpectedly played on her lips. "You go."

Jerald paused and exhaled a sigh of relief. He stood up, trying kiss her on her forehead.

Clara slightly tilted her head, causing the kiss to land on the top of her head.

Jerald stiffened. He whispered, "Clara, I'm sorry. I'll be back as soon as I settle this."

"Mm," Clara responded softly.

The sound of the engine slowly faded into the rain as the door of the mansion closed. The smile on Clara's face gradually disappeared, replaced by a chilling coldness.

Then late at night. The rain hadn't stopped and Jerald hadn't returned.

Clara, however, felt completely relieved, as if a huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

She opened the safe, which contained not only the deeds and shares but also a pile of jewelry and antiques that Jerald had given her over the years.

Clara took out her phone and dialed the number of an auction house manager she was acquainted with. She said calmly, "Douglas. List everything in the photos I sent you this morning at market price now, and sell them quickly. Then transfer the cash to the anonymous account I designated. Be quick and keep it quiet."

After hanging up, she pulled out another document, which was the proof of Jerald's shares in the Lucas Group that he had given her years ago, jokingly saying it was the allowance for his wife.

Clara moved her fingers on the document and paused on the words "Lucas Group" before she called the financial manager her brother had recommended. "As per the list I gave you earlier, on Mr. Lucas' birthday, sell all the shares of the Lucas Group. Also, the short-selling strategy I asked you to prepare, leverage it as much as possible."

The broker was shocked, " Are you really sure, Ms. Rernald? Once the Rernald Group makes a move, the Lucas family won't stand a chance."

"My mind is made up," Clara interrupted him, "I have no regrets."

After the call, she leaned against the safe, listening to the rain gradually ceased outside the window.

As dawn broke, messages from the auction house and the broker arrived one after another.

That all the jewelry and antiques had been sold, and the cash was in her account. Everyone was waiting for her order to short the Lucas Group's stock.

Looking at the numbers on her phone screen, Clara felt as if a warm glimmer of hope had finally pierced through her frozen heart.

Hadn't Jerald once said? "I don't care about our family's business. We could live a humble life."

She was truly curious to see if he could still smile when he tasted real poverty after falling from grace.

Just as she put away her phone, the door of the mansion was pushed open.

Jerald stood at the entrance, with Cecilia following behind him. Beside her was a young girl around fourteen or fifteen, who bore some resemblance to Cecilia.

Cecilia was wearing Jerald's coat. Her belly not yet showing and her face pale. Upon seeing Clara, she instinctively hid behind Jerald.

"Clara, I didn't come back last night because Cecilia... She's having severe early pregnancy symptoms and caught a bit of rain. I was worried something might happen, so I stayed with her all night. I was worried about her, thinking she's living alone. Her sister has no one to look after her either. So I brought them here to stay for a few days until we find a nanny... "

Before he could finish, the young girl next to Cecilia suddenly broke free from Cecilia's hand and rushed to Clara. She glared at Clara and yelled at her with a sharp voice, "Why are you taking my sister's house! This is supposed to be her home, you wicked woman!"

With that, she gave Clara a shove.

Clara didn't dodge, allowing the girl to push her arm.

She looked down at the girl, then grabbed her arm and tossed her back to Cecilia's side.

The girl couldn't keep her balance and fell to the ground, then burst into tears.

Cecilia hurriedly crouched down to help her sister up. She looked up at Clara with upset, "Mrs. Lucas, I'm truly sorry. She's still a kid..."

Clara's eyes swept over Cecilia, then landed on Jerald. "If you're staying at someone else's house with your pet, you should take good care of them. If you can't, just don't bring them with you."

Jerald's face darkened instantly, "Clara, don't go too far!"

Clara smiled, "I'm not the one who's going too far here, Jerald."

She paused, with her eyes settling on Cecilia, "Either get out with your sister now, or follow the rules here and don't annoy me."

Dinner tonight was even more tense than the previous days.

All the dishes were light and mild, following Jerald's instructions. Clearly they were all for Cecilia.

Clara took the seat at the head of the table.

Cecilia sat next to Jerald, her eyes lingering on the fish that was specifically made for Clara. Clara had an upset stomach. Thus the cooks of their would make digestible dishes like this for her.

Cecilia kept looking at Clara's fish, and mumbled, "It looks so good. May I try some?" She seemed childishly adorable.

Jerald, serving her soup, smiled at her, "If you want it, I'll have the cooks make some for you. Don't take Clara's." There was no hint of reproach in his words.

Clara didn't even lift her eyes.

She was curious to see what were they going to perform to her next.

But Cecilia suddenly clutched her stomach and slid off her chair with her face turning pale, "Jerald... My stomach hurts so much..."