Chapter 328: Didn’t Feel Pity

When Claire rushed into the bathroom, she was so frantic she didn’t even bother to close the door. As she threw up, the servants outside could only watch in silence. When she finally finished and looked weak and disoriented, one of the older servants spoke up.

“Ms. Prescott, do you feel lightheaded, maybe a little dizzy? It’s typical in the early stages of pregnancy.”

Hearing this, the other servants quickly stepped forward, supporting Claire carefully.

“Yes,” Claire nodded absently, still reeling from her nausea and feeling intensely unwell.

“That’s definitely it! It must be early pregnancy. I’m sure of it,” the maid exclaimed excitedly.

“General, you should take Ms. Prescott to the hospital for a check-up. We need to confirm, and rule out an ectopic pregnancy—it’s very dangerous.”

“Yes, it’s very serious. My sister-in-law had an ectopic pregnancy once. We caught it too late, and she almost didn’t make it.”

The other servants chimed in, all sounding concerned.

At that moment, Claire froze, her mind racing as the realization hit her. The intense vomiting she had just experienced might be a sign of pregnancy. She stood there in shock, her body still trembling. Her hands shook as she gently placed them on her abdomen, unable to believe what was happening.

Frederick stood silently just outside the bathroom, watching Claire through the open door, hearing the excited chatter from the servants.

“How wonderful! Ms. Prescott is pregnant! We’ll have a little master soon!”

“Yes, it’s such a happy occasion!”

“I always thought the house was too quiet. But now, with a baby, it will be so much livelier!”

Their voices filled the air, but Frederick didn’t react. His gaze remained fixed on Claire’s stomach.

Claire was pregnant? She was carrying his child? The memory of their most recent intimate encounter flashed through his mind—two months ago. He hadn’t used protection. No, from the very beginning, he hadn’t considered contraception. He had never thought about it. The first time had been an accident, just a release of tension. And each time after, it wasn’t about love. He never thought about precautions, never thought about condoms. And now, it seemed that this had led to a pregnancy.

Frederick felt a smile tug at the corner of his lips, one he didn’t even realize was there. But Caroline noticed it, and the sight made her face drain of color. Her clenched fists began to tremble, and blood slowly seeped from under her nails. Seeing that smile on Frederick’s face made her seethe with rage.

Claire was pregnant—with Frederick’s child! How could this be happening? This was her worst fear come true. What place would she have in Halfmoon Manor now? That woman could now secure her position through motherhood. Even if Frederick hated her, Claire was already a legitimate part of his life. With Arthur still unmarried and the Hawthorne family only engaged to Frederick, Claire would have every right to stay by his side. Now, with a baby on the way, marriage was imminent. And if the child turned out to be a boy? Caroline would never have a chance with Frederick.

No! She couldn’t accept it! She had invested four years, and now this woman was taking it all away from her without even trying. How could she just let this happen?

In her confusion, Caroline suddenly recalled a previous plan she had made. Pregnancy… yes, pregnancy! She had originally wanted Claire to get pregnant by Antony, but now, with Claire pregnant, the child…

Caroline narrowed her eyes at Claire’s abdomen, her mind racing. The timing of Claire and Frederick’s last encounter didn’t matter. What mattered was that Claire’s baby needed to be Antony’s.

Caroline would stop at nothing to make Frederick believe this child was Antony’s. Once that was done, she could get rid of the child and permanently drive a wedge between Frederick and Claire. And how would she do it? No need for drastic measures. Frederick would never forgive betrayal. A video, perhaps? That would be simple enough to arrange.

Caroline’s twisted smile grew wider as she imagined the destruction of a life still in the womb. But, no matter what, she didn’t feel pity. This child had been “misplaced” in Claire’s womb. If she couldn’t be the one to carry Frederick’s child, then no one would.