Dumped When Pregnant, Chased by Ex-Husband

Bella Harper strutted away and sent a message to Aria Knight, "Mission accomplished!"

She had just locked Clara Knox out on the balcony.

Clara patted her pockets and realized she didn't have her phone with her.

She felt like crying but no tears came.

At this hour, Grandpa was already asleep. Suffering from insomnia, it was hard for him to fall back asleep if awakened, so she dared not shout loudly for fear of waking him up.

Clara leaned against the door and sat down, hugging her knees.

She couldn't help but wonder what Edward Harper and Aria Knight were doing at this hour, laughing at herself for her stupidity. What could a couple who had just ended a long-distance relationship possibly be doing?

The night wind had picked up, and Clara felt physically and mentally exhausted. Having encountered such an incident the night before and been tormented by him upon returning, she was extremely tired and fell into a deep sleep leaning against the door.

"Clara Knox? Wake up, Clara Knox…"

Unable to distinguish between dream and reality, Clara felt herself falling into a warm embrace. She opened her eyes to see a jawline so sharp it was almost perfect and an adam's apple that stood out like a mountain peak, and couldn't resist reaching out to touch it.

"Don't move; you have a fever."

Clara timidly pulled her hand back, always the obedient one.

After being carried back to the room and tucked into thick blankets, she finally began to feel her body warming up.

A few minutes after Edward Harper had left, he returned with medicine and water. Clara watched as he squeezed out a small pill and her heart thumped erratically, unsure if there was a baby in her belly and whether she should be taking any medication, just in case.

She stared blankly at Edward Harper and tentatively asked, "Could you run a bath for me? I'd like to soak in the tub."

After saying it, she felt she might be wishful thinking. How could Edward Harper, the young master, possibly help her with a bath? Did she even deserve it?

Unexpectedly, the next second, he handed over what he was holding in his hand, with his voice as cold as always,

"Drink it yourself; don't make me serve you."

Perhaps because she was ill and had some privilege, Edward Harper pushed the cup and medicine into her hand, then turned and entered the bathroom. The sound of water running soon followed; he was filling the tub with hot water.

Clara took the opportunity to hide the two pills and drank the cup of water clean.

Shortly after, Edward Harper emerged from the bathroom and glanced at the empty cup on the bedside table,

"Did you take the medicine?"

"Mhm."

"Take off your clothes and go wash; the bath is ready."

Edward Harper grabbed a clean towel from the wardrobe and walked towards the bathroom, Clara wondered what he was up to, but before she could ask, he said,

"Come in, I'll help you wash."

Blood rushed to Clara's face, igniting like fire. The couple had been together for three years and even when making love, they did so with the lights off. She had never had the courage to bathe openly in front of him, let alone let him help her wash.

Seeing that Clara hadn't followed him into the bathroom, Edward Harper returned and saw her spacing out at the bedside.

He curved his lips teasingly,

"What are you being shy about? There's nothing I haven't seen or touched before. I'm just worried you might fall asleep in the tub and drown. Don't worry about nonsensical things."

Clara's face reddened nearly to the point of bleeding, "I, we are divorced now; it's different. Please, give me some space."

Reminded several times in one day that they were divorced, Edward Harper didn't take it well. He tore off his tie and threw it beside the bed, rolled up his shirt sleeves to his forearms, and after all this, directly lifted the blanket and carried her towards the bathroom.

"The paperwork isn't done yet; I'm still your husband. Remember to come to me first if anything happens, understand?"

He was referring to the robbery incident from two nights ago, little did he expect Clara to retort.

"When are we going to finalize the procedures?"

Her words enraged Edward Harper, who had intended to carry her to the tub and help her undress, but instead he abruptly let go.

Caught off guard, Clara fell into the water, splashing his shirtfront soaking wet.

Clara's only piece of clothing, a nightgown, clung tightly to her skin, making no difference whether it was on or off at this point.

She wiped the water from her face and faced him steadily, unafraid to ask again,

"When are we finalizing the procedures? I can't stand it anymore."

Furious, Edward Harper's guts churned, "Am I really that unbearable? Or are you just eager to go find your Elijah?"

He actually cared about Elijah, that uncertain person.

Clara Knox forced out a bitter smile,

"When will the divorce process be completed? Can you give me an exact time? Today, your sister was able to lock me on the balcony; tomorrow, who knows, she might kill me."

Edward Harper didn't believe her explanation,

"Getting locked in was your own stupidity. Didn't anyone teach you in kindergarten that when you're bullied, you should hit back?"

He moved closer again, his large hand gripping her chin,

"Do you even realize that you scream 'Brother Elijah' in your dreams every night? Every time you cry out, I want to pin you down and bully you ruthlessly."

"Is that like last night?"

Clara retorted, forced against her will, and he plunged a knife into her heart.

Edward Harper recalled something and his gaze halted on her injured arm.

The wound was wet; it must be painful.

He calmed down a bit, loosened his grip on her, and Clara's cheeks sported a few more finger marks, starkly visible on her porcelain skin.

"So, are you in such a hurry to get divorced?"

Clara diverted her gaze; she suddenly couldn't dare meet his intense eyes, always feeling some bewitching element there. She answered softly, averting her eyes, "Yes, I am."

"Tomorrow morning at ten, bring your household registration book. See you at the civil affairs office."

He stormed out after dropping the line.

Only when Clara had calmed down did she realize that when it came to actually divorcing, she wasn't as composed as she pretended to be. Three years of feelings; people aren't machines. How could she just switch off her emotions? Her heart still ached unbearably.

Let it all end quickly.

Edward Harper sat in his car and smoked a cigarette, then after a while, he dialed his friend Austin Moore's number.

"Come out for a drink."

Austin had just left a bar, he looked at the time,

"Damn, why call so late? I've just finished a round. Aren't people like you with a wife supposed to be bonding at this hour?"

"Cut the crap, waiting for you at the usual place."

Austin arrived at the Imperial Grande Clubhouse, and Edward Harper was already tipsy from drinking alone.

"Aren't you afraid Clara will make you kneel on durian when you get home?"

Edward Harper seemed to hear something intolerable and sneered in response,

"What are you talking about? Is 'Clara' a name you can call?"

"You aren't this harsh with Clara at home, are you?"

Austin quipped a few lines, poured himself a drink, and when he saw the nearly empty bottle of wine, he cradled it and started wailing,

"My '95 Romanee-Conti, saved for a year and not indulged, and you've just guzzled it down, you damn mutt?"

"I'll compensate you with two bottles another day."

Edward Harper downed the drink in his glass and instructed the waiter to fetch more wine.

Austin felt his liver ache. Seeing the situation with his wine collection, he reckoned it was in peril. Resigned, he also began to drink heartily, not wanting to let Edward hog all the cheap enjoyment alone.

Edward Harper twirled his finger around the rim of his glass, "Aria is back in the country; I'm going to get a divorce tomorrow."

Austin choked on his drink,

"Clara wants to divorce you, so you're here drowning your sorrows?"

Edward Harper scoffed,

"Which eye of yours sees me drowning my sorrows? Plus, it was I who proposed the divorce; I'm actually celebrating!"

Austin looked him over, unable to see a trace of joy, only a touch of desolation, as if he'd been dumped by a woman. He couldn't help but provoke him,

"Celebrating, eh? I'm good at that. How about this - after you get your divorce papers tomorrow, I'll arrange a fireworks show on the outskirts for you? Bring your sweetheart to watch."

"Are you sick?"