Returning to the villa in a daze, Clara took out her plane ticket to Italy.
With those private photos everywhere, she knew she couldn’t stay any longer, so she decided to leave ahead of time.
London had nothing left for her.
But as she packed, a sudden wave of nausea hit her.
Clara turned in panic, accidentally knocking over a cabinet in the bedroom.
A document slid out; picking it up, she saw it was a hospital diagnosis slip.
When she read the words, Clara’s eyes widened in shock.
It was a pregnancy test report, showing she was three months pregnant, the fetus was healthy, and the signatory was Simon.
She was pregnant!
Touching her lower abdomen in disbelief, she couldn’t accept that a small life was growing inside her.
She didn’t understand why Simon hid this report from her. He always knew how much she longed for a child.
She had always dreamed of having a child with him, but she never imagined the child would come at the worst moment.
A trace of confusion passed through Clara’s eyes. Reason told her she should abort the baby.
But for an orphan, nothing mattered more than blood.
She stroked her lower abdomen as tears poured down her face.
She wanted to keep the child.
Even if she hated Simon, she was determined to keep the baby, because it was her only family in this world.
"You saw it." Simon suddenly appeared behind her, his expression complicated.
Clara asked hoarsely, "Why didn’t you tell me?"
This was her child—why didn’t he tell her!
But to her shock, Simon slowly knelt, touching her flat stomach, looking at her with deep emotion, and said something that shattered her completely.
"Someone, remove the baby from Madam’s womb and give it to Selina."
Clara went white. "What did you say?"
"Simon, are you insane? It’s only just formed! Taking it out will kill it!"
Simon explained hoarsely, "Selina created a new art project and needs a newly formed fetus for her specimen exhibit. She said only you are her muse, and only your child can complete the piece."
"I originally planned to remove the baby secretly to spare you the grief, but I didn’t expect you to discover it."
Clara was stunned speechless. "What kind of art is this, cruel? This is violence! Simon, this is your child too, your blood!"
Simon’s voice was bitter. "Clara, I’m sorry, but Selina must finish this exhibition. After it ends, I’ll give you another child, alright? We’ll have more in the future."
"Simon, you’re insane! Truly insane!"
She never imagined he could say such a thing. Clara shook her head wildly and tried to run.
Simon grabbed her wrist, saying painfully, "Selina studied art abroad. Now that she’s back, she must achieve something."
"Clara, trust me, you’re sacrificing for art. Someone, take Madam to the operating room."
Several bodyguards rushed in and lifted her easily.
Clara never imagined Simon would kill his own child for Selina.
"No! Don’t hurt my baby! I have no family left, this is the only blood tied to me."
"No! Don’t—Simon, stop! Please!" Clara struggled wildly, but she was no match for them.
Until she was pinned to the operating table, feeling cold instruments invade her body, feeling the child inside her torn away bit by bit, she finally went limp.
Without anesthesia, blood soaked her lower body, sending waves of tearing pain.
Her vision blurred, and she seemed to hear young Simon’s voice.
"Clara, when we have a child, I hope she’s a daughter who looks like you. Then I’ll spoil her, and no one will hurt her."
Simon, did you ever think the one to hurt her would be you?
Simon, I regret it. I don’t need to wait until I forget— I already don’t love you.
The operating room lights were harsh. Clara screamed in agony and then lost consciousness completely.
When she woke again, her abdomen was flat. The child who had been part of her had been taken the moment she learned of it, as if it never existed.
Her tears had dried. Clara’s eyes were hollow; she didn’t even have the strength to mourn.
The bloodstains on her thighs were still wet. She slowly stood and packed her luggage.
She was leaving now, leaving Simon.
After settling everything, Clara walked into the heavy rain and took a taxi to the airport.
The scenery outside was beautiful, but her face was pale as she stared at the news on her phone.
The top trending topic was Selina’s name, followed by the word “explosive.”
【Renowned artist Selina’s work "Rebirth" spreads online, triggering heated debate.】
