A Flash Marriage with A Stranger

Eva Bernard, my mother, served food to me.

"Claire, why are you not pregnant yet? You dad didn't mean it when he claimed to disown you. Don't take it to heart. No matter what, you are his only legitimate daughter. As long as you give birth to a boy, no one will dare offend us," she said.

I put aside my fork.

I felt uncomfortable when she glanced at my belly.

"Shut up!" I said testily.

Eva was taken aback. She took a tissue to wipe away the tears that didn't exist.

"Claire, I've treated you like my own daughter these years. Aren't you touched by what I've done for you? How could you talk to me like that?" she said, putting on a pitiful look.

In fact, Eva wasn't my biological mother.

She was my mother's sister.

My mother had suffered from depression because of Damon's betrayal.

In the end, she took her own life by taking three bottles of sleeping pills.

The following year, Eva married Damon, claiming that she was doing that to take better care of her deceased sister's daughter. But I knew that she was after his money.

Since then, she had gone to great lengths to get pregnant with Damon's baby but to avail.es.

Those mistresses had his children while she couldn't.

After turning fifty, she completely gave up on the idea of carrying Damon's baby.

Instead, she tried to win me over so that she could guarantee her status as my father's wife.

Eva took my hand and said, "Claire, I hope you will carry Hawkins' son soon."

As soon as she finished speaking, my stomach churned and I retched.

When Hawkins accompanied me to the hospital, we ran into his beloved.

Maria fixed her eyes at him affectionately, her long hair falling idly on her shoulders.

Hawkins struggled out of his arm which linked with mine.

I didn't expect that I would get pregnant so quickly.

But I welcomed the arrival of this baby.

Considering that Hawkins graduated from Harvard with a master's degree, I figured that our child might inherit his brain.

Nothing was a big deal to me, except for death.

"Hawk, it has been a while." Maria then turned to look at me, the warmth vanishing from her eyes. "Hello, Claire."

I responded with a nod.

"Why are you here, Maria?" Hawkins inquired, his voice as indulgent and restrained.

What was the matter? Were they flirting in front of me?

This was the second time that I had met Maria today.

But I knew she was not as harmless as she appeared.

She looked innocent and weak, but her eyes gave away her shrewdness.

"The company has arranged me to have a physical exam," Maria replied.it

Although she was a foster daughter, she had got a job at Moore Group.

I couldn't help but cast a glance at her.

An idea hit me. I shouldn't underestimate this woman.

Our eyes met, and there was provocation in her gaze.

"Honey, it's our turn for the prenatal checkups," I addressed Hawkins.

I somehow felt uncomfortable with Maria's silent provocation.

I didn't want to admit defeat.

I noticed that Maria shook, but she quickly regained her composure.

"Is Claire pregnant?" she asked Hawkins, her voice on the break of tears.

After hesitating for a while, Hawkins put his arm around me. "Yes, I'm going to be a father," he replied.

Tears were veil up in her eyes. "Congratulations, Hawk," she said in between sobs.

If it weren't for Hawkins' presence, I would have applauded for Maria's act was impressive.

Hardly had we entered the elevator when I broke free from Hawkins' grip.

"Could you really bear to see your beloved heartbroken?" I asked, observing his expressions.

He answered me seriously, "You're overthinking things. It won't work out between me and her."

Then, he tucked my hair behind my ear.