Billionaires with Benefits

164 164. Clara’s Determination

“Noo!”

Patrick woke up from his sleep in a state of severe dizziness from a hangover. Last night, he fell asleep at his study. He had a dream about bad moments that made him feel guilty for life. He thought back to the incident164 that forced him to have a daughter he didn’t want.

Linda left Patrick quickly after their last argument involving Clara. Linda was not happy with her husband’s behavior in treating their daughter unfairly.

Before long, someone knocked on Patrick’s door. Patrick told his maid to come in. The maid was not alone. She came with a female lawyer. Patrick knew her well. She was Linda’s best friend, and also her lawyer. She’s the same woman who came to him years ago to deliver Linda’s divorce papers after he was tricked into sleeping with Eva.

“Sir, Mrs. Larsson wants to see you,” said the maid, introducing the guest.

Patrick smiled wryly. He then asked the maid to leave the room. “I don’t like it if you come to me,” Patrick said to Linda’s Lawyer. “Did you come with the same thing as twenty-three years ago?”

Attorney Larsson nodded. “Linda asked me to give you this document.”

Patrick, who had a very disheveled face, massaged his head briefly. It was sad to find that this morning was so dark. He just wanted to wake up by Linda’s side with a sweet smile that always brightened up his day.

With a heavy heart, Patrick took the document Attorney Larsson had proffered and glanced through it. A bitter smile tugged at his lips.

.....

“How much money do you want? I’ll pay as long as you can help me persuade her to cancel the divorce,” Patrick said flatly.

“Unfortunately, this time, it doesn’t seem possible because Linda doesn’t want to come back to you at all,” said Attorney Larsson flatly.

Patrick knew that the old Linda still wanted to forgive him because he could prove that he was framed by Eva. He could prove that only Linda he loves. How about now, what should he say to convince her?

“A mother doesn’t want her daughter to be hurt, Patrick,” said Attorney Larsson apologetically. She knew Patrick loved Linda. However, she also knew that this time the relationship between the two had to come to an end. “You should have understood that from the start.”

Patrick fell silent. He did not expect that the form of his love for Linda would make him lose the woman he loved. “I always spoil Noel, our son, because I want to show that she is my only love.”

Patrick stared blankly at the divorce papers in his hand. His eyes were bloodshot, either from wanting to cry or from anger. “I was tough on Clara because I wanted to show that my only love was Linda. I didn’t want Linda to think that I loved Eva’s child. I don’t want Linda to think I love Eva even a little bit.”

Patrick’s wailing filled the dark room. Anyone who heard it would feel the pain of his lamentation. He had yet to realize where he was wrong because, according to him, his attitude was the best.

“This is all your fault, Patrick. Linda accepted Clara in the first place simply because she is your flesh and blood. She is a part of your life. She decided to forgive you and love everything in you,” explained the lawyer in a low voice. “If you understood Linda and didn’t do as you please, maybe your family would still be intact today.”

Attorney Larsson crossed her arms over her chest. Her eyes looked pityingly at Patrick who looked so devastated.

“About Clara, even if she is a child born from a mistake, you should never hate her,” she continued, lecturing Patrick. “No child has to pay for the sins of their parents, Patrick. All children are innocent. Linda is very soft-hearted. For her, Clara was a gift from God. Just like Noel.”

Patrick fell silent. If he treated Clara well, would Linda be pleased?

The man then took the wine bottle beside him which was still half full. He poured the contents slowly onto the document Lawyer Larsson had given him.

The lawyer’s eyes widened. She had already prepared herself that something like this could happen. However, she was still shocked when Patrick returned to behaving like a child.

“Give me some time. I want to try to convince her to call off the divorce,” Patrick begged as he continued to pour the contents of the bottle until the red liquid ran down the side of the table, onto the floor around his feet.

***

Meanwhile, Linda took Clara away from Patrick’s house. They now live in the Frederick family residence. The situation was certainly not pleasant. Clara’s condition was so bad.

Linda’s parents could only accept their daughter’s decision to file for divorce for the second time. They knew Linda very well and understood why her daughter didn’t like Patrick’s way of expressing his love.

At first, Frederick’s family didn’t agree with Linda’s decision to raise Clara. However, they realized that their daughter was an angel who could give love to any baby and any child. Because of that, they supported Linda’s decision and considered Clara as their own granddaughter.

“Clara, granny made your favorite chicken soup,” Linda said that afternoon, as she brought her daughter a tray of food. “Eat! You can’t be sick.”

Since yesterday, Clara had barely touched her food. She was almost lost in thought, not knowing what to do.

“Thank you, mom!” whispered Clara in a low voice. Lazily, she took a spoon to eat the warm soup she used to like. However, she zoned out again, staring blankly into the air.

Nobody knew how many times Clara’s tears flowed, she could no longer speak. It was still very hard for her to accept the shocking reality. She still regretted everything that had happened in the past. She almost had a baby once. She was ever going to be a mother … her own baby.

“Mom, why didn’t you just let me die in the first place? I can’t face this kind of fate ….”

“Clara, don’t say that,” Linda said as she stroked her daughter’s pale face. “Every child has the right to be born into the world. So do you.”

“Then why not my child?” Clara asked again. Her sobs were getting heavier. “Just because my baby’s not Dave’s child, he or she didn’t deserve to be born?”

Linda couldn’t say anything. She could only wipe Clara’s tears with her slender fingers. She knew Clara’s heart must be broken.

“Why do I have to have a cruel father like Patrick Decker?” Clara asked again while squeezing her chest. Her eyes looked at Linda, but she couldn’t clearly see Linda’s face because of the flowing tears.

Linda could only swallow the bitter pill. She founded the hospital, financed by Patrick, to help people. However, why did the hospital become a place to harm her beloved daughter? How ironic.

“I will sue everyone who harmed my baby! I’m going to sue Patrick Decker and Doctor Evans,” Clara said with a face full of anger.

Clara’s statement shocked Linda half to death. If this was known to the public, it will surely tarnish the name of the Linda Decker hospital. A lifetime of her hard work would be ruined in an instant.

“Do you think that’s for the best?” asked Linda in a trembling voice.

Clara just stared at her mother in disbelief. “That’s the only reward they deserve.”

“However, maybe Patrick didn’t do that, Clara,” Linda defended, frightened by the hatred in Clara’s eyes at this moment.

“I’m pretty sure Patrick asked doctor Evans to abort my baby, mom!” Clara argued vehemently. She thought that Linda still wanted to defend her husband.

“I’m not trying to defend Patrick. However, we have to know the truth,” Linda defended again. “Shouldn’t we—”

“I will look for the proof, mom! I will reveal the truth,” Clara determined, without the slightest hesitation.

Linda saw the embers in Clara’s eyes. Clara’s anger reminded her of Patrick’s hatred for Eva, Clara’s real mother. Linda was afraid that hatred would eat away at Clara’s soul and turn her into another person she didn’t recognize.

Clara got up from the bed. She hadn’t eaten anything since yesterday, but she still managed to stand up straight, somehow getting the energy to change her clothes and put on her coat and scarf, preparing to leave.

“Where are you going, honey?” asked Linda frantically. Her eyes watched Clara’s every suspicious move. “You haven’t eaten anything since yesterday.”

However, Clara did not answer Linda’s question. She didn’t even glance at her mother. She just continued to prepare and left her room without saying goodbye.

The young woman walked past her grandparents who were sitting in the living room without saying hello. She walked quickly to her car which was parked in the driveway. Before starting the engine, she took out her phone and made a call to someone.

As soon as a voice came from the other side, Clara said, “This time, I will destroy your life, Mr. Decker!”