Billionaires with Benefits

165 165. Who’s the Man?

Linda panicked and worried. She was afraid that her daughter would do something out of line. If it was like this, Clara wouldn’t hear what she said.

In the past, if Clara lost control, Dave would calm her down. However, now, was it possible that her daughter would hear what he said? Hadn’t they broken up?

No choice. Linda no longer knew who to turn to for help. She then called Dave.

Because it sounded very urgent, Dave asked, “What’s wrong with her?”

“I’ll explain later. Can I see you now?” asked Linda frantically. “I don’t know who to ask for help anymore.”

Dave was a bit dubious. “I’m in the hospital. I’ll be at your house in thirty minutes.”

Linda’s throat constricted. Dave must be waiting for Lea. No wonder Clara chose to back down. Maintaining a relationship with Dave will only make her married life full of suspicion.

“Am I interrupting your important time?” she asked again. “If you’re busy—”

“No, Linda! I’ll be at your house in thirty minutes.” Dave was about to hang up before he asked, “Is Patrick home?”

.....

“Dave, I don’t live with Patrick anymore,” Linda answered in a low voice.

Dave paused, realizing that Clara’s family was not well. His heart felt like it was squeezed. He played a part in the destruction of the Decker family.

“Okay, just give me your current address. I’ll see you soon,” Dave said flatly.

Dave realized how important his presence was at this time. He also told Theresa to clear her schedule for this afternoon. He had to get to Linda no matter what.

Shortly after, Dave arrived at the Frederick family’s residence. Seeing Linda’s panicked and confused condition, the man immediately hugged the woman who was supposed to be his future mom-in-law.

“Linda, you have to calm down first,” Dave said while stroking Linda’s back. “What’s the matter?”

Linda then sat down on the couch. She told him what was going on. Linda said that Clara was pregnant when Dave and Linda’s engagement had not been formalized. However, she miscarried, according to Patrick’s explanation.

“The doctor said, it was her first and last pregnancy,” Linda explained while shedding tears.

Dave was stunned. Clara was no longer a virgin the first time they had sex. However, he didn’t expect Clara was pregnant ... and miscarried.

“It happened exactly one week before your engagement was formalized,” Linda added, looking confused at Dave. “Patrick blamed Clara over and over again, thinking it was her fault that she was pregnant with the wrong person at the wrong time.”

Linda wiped the tears. She was trying hard not to get too emotional. Dave was still silent, he did not know what was in his heart at this time. All feelings mixed, between compassion and jealousy.
Now, Dave understands what Clara felt when he cheated on her with Lea and was forced to have children from that one night mistake. Even though Clara loved him, can he accept the existence of Clara’s child with another man without the slightest feeling of hatred?

However, Dave realized that Clara’s current problem was far more serious. She was indeed barren. However, the cause of infertility was so painful.

“Where is Clara right now? Has she still not accepted the reality?” asked Dave worriedly.”

Linda shook her head. “The thing is, Clara, insists that it was Patrick who aborted her baby. She is sure of that. Right now, she is going somewhere, to prove that her father is guilty of that incident.

Dave was wide-eyed. “How could Patrick do that?” he asked in disbelief. “The baby is his flesh and blood, right?”

Too bad, Dave realized that Patrick might just do it in no time. Clara was found pregnant before their official engagement. If his family found out about this, they would call off the engagement. So did he, he would have done the same thing because he was burning with jealousy, even though he had liked Clara at the first sight.

“I’m sure she will try to fight her father with whatever she has at the moment,” said Linda again. “I beg Dave, please let Clara know that her revenge will not change anything that has happened. I’m afraid her anger will harm her.”

Dave could only stare at the woman in front of him in bewilderment. From everything that Linda had told, it seems that Clara did not tell her family about what happened that made her decide to cancel the wedding.

“Linda, I know that I shouldn’t tell anyone about this because this is my business with Clara. However, I will say it out of necessity,” explained Dave, sighing. “There were two things that triggered the cancellation of our marriage. One because Lea’s condition was severe. The second ….”

Dave’s eyes reddened. He rubbed his face because he couldn’t say it. Every time he thought about it, a fire of jealousy flared up in his chest, shattering his composure.

“What’s the second one?” asked Linda, very curious.

“Clara is sleeping with another man,” Dave replied hoarsely, his teeth grinding together.

Linda’s eyes widened, not believing Dave’s words. So, her daughter wasn’t as innocent as she thought?

“Clara can’t be cheating! If she hadn’t engaged with you, it probably is. But she wouldn’t cheat on her fiance,” Linda protested, shaking her head in disbelief. Her eyes stared at Dave unblinkingly, searching for the lies on the man’s face. Alas, she found only real sadness there.

“Clara told me by herself, Linda!” Dave’s voice rose slightly. “I don’t even want to believe it. However, that’s what I got to be the truth. Clara did sleep with another man the night before she broke up with me.”

Linda still couldn’t believe what Dave said. He thought Dave was making it up.

“No wonder Clara left you! You are the one at fault, yet you accuse my daughter of cheating!” snapped Linda angrily. “Get you out of here! If you don’t want to help me, don’t accuse my daughter of frivolous accusations!”

Dave gave a wry laugh. Of course, no one would believe Clara would do that with another man. Especially her mother.

“At first I didn’t believe it either. I thought Clara was making up stories to cancel our wedding,” Dave said calmly. “That night, I was confused because I didn’t find Clara at the hospital. I’ve been trying to reach you and Patrick but you guys are out of reach. Worried, I asked people to look for her that night. However, he had a traffic accident at the same time. Yesterday, he came out of the hospital and reported to me what he wanted.”

Dave reached into his pocket for his cell phone. He showed Linda several pictures of Clara coming out of the bakery, arguing with a man. Another photo shows Clara tailing the man.

“To be sure, my man was looking for information on this man. From the housekeeper, he confirmed that Clara had indeed stayed overnight at this man’s place,” explained Dave with a haggard and haggard face.

Linda’s face was pale. She stared at Dave blankly.

“I’m sure it was this man who made Clara leave me, Linda,” Dave said again. His eyes filled with tears. “Before, Clara and I had promised to forget everything and start from the beginning again.”

Dave and Linda fell silent, preoccupied with their own thoughts. Dave then rose from his seat and said, “Linda, this matter is different. This is between Clara and Patrick. I’m sorry, I can’t help you, Linda.”

***

Meanwhile, at Samuel’s house, he was taking care of his mother who was not feeling well. His father was very busy at the office. Can’t accompany Larissa at home.

“Mom, we’d better go to the doctor,” said Samuel, while drinking warm mint tea for his mother.

“I just need a break, Sam!” answered Larissa, smiling with a pale face.

“I suspect you are pregnant again,” said Samuel. He felt himself to be a man who knew the signs of pregnancy very well because his mother was pregnant very often.

Larisa smiled. “No way, we use contraception,” answered Larissa with a weak smile. “We don’t plan to have any more children. My life is already busy enough with you guys.”

“I’m surprised. Father and Mother seem very easy to have children. Does every time you make love, always produce children?” asked Samuel idly. “Even I am the result of your one-night stand.”

Larissa laughed at Samuel’s words which were too blunt. What Samuel said didn’t seem too wrong.

“We’ll see how many children you have later,” said Larissa, amused. The conversation with Samuel comforted her greatly.

“Ah, that again,” said Samuel annoyed.

“I want to have many grandchildren from you,” said Larissa again.


“Hmm, how much? Five? Ten?” asked Samuel, laughing.

“Get married soon,” said Larissa while stroking Samuel’s head. “You play around too much.”

Samuel just smiled while playing with his cell phone. “I’ll take you to the clinic now.”

“Hey, I didn’t ask you to do it, did I?” protested Larissa.

“There is no objection,” said Samuel confidently. He then carried his mother to the car and drove to the obstetrician’s clinic that Larissa usually visits.

***

At a doctor’s private obstetric clinic, Clara stood in line impatiently. She waited too long because she did not make an appointment with the doctor beforehand. Her name was finally called after two hours of waiting.

“Miss Clara Frederick,” said one of the nurses, ushering Clara into the room.

Clara got up from the waiting bench. She then walked quickly into the room. The doctor seemed busy with her files and arranging schedules with patients.

When she realized that a patient had entered the room, that’s when the doctor looked up, facing her new patient. However, this time the surprise was too much.

“How are you, doctor Evans!” said Clara, showing her devilish smile.