Novels

Threads of You

Threads of You

I grab your nothingness from beneath my skin,
Tear apart the sorrow where you’ve perpetually been.
Each night-filled day, I resolve to forget you,
Yet love still lingers, soft and slow.

You entwine through my veins like a vine,
A subtle statement, a tormenting ache.
I open, I shatter, I restart,
And every blinding thread still leads to you.

The light from the sun dims, my arms are bound,
Your traces is nowhere to be found within me.
But in the depths of my mind, where fantasies ignite,
You weave yourself in me each night.

No matter the lengths I go to escape,
Your name remain stitched into my sun.
And so I wake every morning with empty hands,
To lose you all over again.

 

Donfik 04/03/2025

  • no reactions
0
1 Share

Why Clara (concluding Chapters

Why Clara

By Donfik

Published

January 2024

Buy Complete Chapter

Chapter Twenty-One: The Father’s Innocence and Determination

The confrontation with Carmichael had left Clara and Nate reeling. They had come so close to understanding the true scope of the experiments, but Carmichael’s cryptic words only deepened the
mystery. Clara felt a wave of anger rising within her, but as the adrenaline faded, a cold resolve settled in. She had one clear priority now: Ethan.
Nate, on the other hand, found himself grappling with his own emotions. The realization that Ethan was his son, a child conceived
under such deceitful circumstances, was a heavy burden to carry.
Yet, despite the manipulation and betrayal that surrounded his son’s existence, Nate’s heart swelled with a fierce determination to be a father to him.
In the days following the confrontation, Nate found himself spending more and more time with Ethan. It was awkward at first—the little boy was still unsure of the man who claimed to be his father—but Nate was patient. He took it slow, never rushing the process, letting Ethan set the pace.
One evening, after a long day of playing with his new toy and doing a puzzle together, Ethan asked a question that caught Nate off guard: “You’re my dad, right?”
Nate swallowed, his throat tight with emotion. It was a simple question, but the weight behind it was immense. Ethan’s wide eyes looked up at him with uncertainty, a vulnerability that reminded Nate just how much was at stake. Nate knelt down to Ethan’s level, his heart swelling as he smiled.
“Yes, Ethan,” he said, his voice soft but firm. “I’m your dad, and I’m here for you. Always.”
The words felt like a promise, one he would keep no matter what came next. Clara watched from the doorway, a quiet sigh escaping her lips as she saw the bond beginning to form between Nate and Ethan. But as much as she wanted to feel relief, fear gnawed at her. The knowledge that they were being hunted by Carmichael’s organization still loomed over them like a dark cloud.
Nate was determined to prove himself as a father, but Clara knew that their past had to be faced head-on before they could ever hope to move forward. There were too many unanswered questions, too many dangerous truths lurking beneath the surface. The idea of providing a normal life for their children seemed increasingly impossible, but Clara couldn’t give up hope. They had already lost so much—now was the time to fight for what they could still have.

Chapter Twenty-Two: The Beginning of Parenthood

Returning to Ashton Valley was a decision Clara and Nate made out of necessity. It was the only place where they felt they could stay off the radar, if only for a little while. They settled into a small house near the edge of town, its secluded location providing a sense of security. However, the quiet, peaceful life they had hoped to build quickly proved elusive. As much as Clara wanted to shield her children from the darkness that followed them, she couldn’t ignore the signs of danger creeping closer.

Ethan was still adjusting to the idea of having Nate in his life, and Clara was learning how to balance being a mother to both Ethan and Nora while also allowing Nate to be a father figure. The challenge was difficult, and the emotional toll weighed heavily on Clara’s shoulders. Ethan, still cautious, would retreat to his room when Nate tried to get too close. He wanted to know Nate, but there was a deep-rooted fear inside him, a fear of being abandoned once again. His relationship with Clara had been fragile enough before the upheaval of their reunion—adding Nate to the mix felt like an uncharted territory.

Nate, for his part, was steadfast. He never pushed Ethan too hard. He would spend time with the boy, teaching him how to ride a bike, showing him how to tie his shoes, offering guidance on simple things. He wanted to be there for him, to prove that he was more than just a stranger who had appeared out of nowhere.

One evening, as they sat down for dinner, Ethan looked up at Clara with a question in his eyes. “Mom,” he asked softly, “do you think we’ll be okay?”

Clara froze, her fork halfway to her mouth. She had hoped to shield him from the fears and uncertainties that weighed heavily on her heart, but Ethan’s question broke through. She caught Nate’s gaze, and for a moment, they shared an unspoken understanding. They couldn’t protect their children from the world forever, but they could try to make sure they were ready to face it together.

“We’ll be okay, Ethan,” Clara said, her voice steady, but inside, her thoughts were anything but calm. “We’ll face whatever comes together.”

The tension in the room eased just slightly, but Clara knew that there was much more to be done. They needed to uncover the truth about Ethan’s genetic makeup and Carmichael’s ultimate plan for him. But for now, she focused on the small moments—the quiet dinners, the late-night talks with Nate, the laughter shared over family games. These were the things she held onto, the things that made it all worth fighting for.

Chapter Twenty-Three: Shadows in the Background

Despite their efforts to settle into a semblance of normalcy, the shadows of the past were never far behind. Clara began noticing subtle signs that someone was watching them. Unmarked cars parked near their home late at night, unfamiliar faces at the local grocery store, and the unmistakable feeling that they were being followed. It was clear that Carmichael’s reach extended far beyond the confines of his lab, and his organization had no intention of letting them go.

Nate, ever the pragmatist, began his own investigation into Carmichael’s network. He reached out to former colleagues, some of whom had been too afraid to speak out against the shady practices of the organization. Through these connections, Nate learned that Carmichael had more than just a personal interest in Ethan’s genetic makeup—he saw Ethan as a potential weapon.

“Carmichael doesn’t just want Ethan for his genetic traits,” Nate explained one evening as they sat together at the kitchen table. “Ethan’s DNA contains markers that could change the way medicine is practiced. If Carmichael can harness that power, he could control a revolution in biotech.”

Clara shivered at the thought. The man who had manipulated their lives for so long wasn’t just a scientist; he was a dangerous player in a much larger game. He saw Ethan as more than a child—he saw him as the key to unlocking something that could shift the balance of power. And he would stop at nothing to control him.

Clara and Nate knew they couldn’t let that happen. But the battle wasn’t just about protecting Ethan—it was about exposing the dark secrets of Carmichael’s work and bringing down the organization that had operated in the shadows for so long. And for that, they would need more than just each other. They needed allies.

Chapter Twenty-Four: The Attack

The first real threat came one rainy night, when Clara and Nate heard a loud crash outside. At first, they thought it was just the wind, but the sound of footsteps and a muffled voice shattered the illusion of safety. Armed men stormed into their home, their faces obscured by masks, their weapons drawn.

Panic surged through Clara as she grabbed Nora and pulled Ethan into her arms. “Go!” she screamed to Nate, but it was too late. The intruders had already breached the house.

Nate’s military training kicked in instinctively. He quickly ushered Clara and the children out of the house, through the back door, and into the woods behind their property. They ran, their hearts pounding as the sound of pursuit echoed in the distance.

Nate led them to a hidden cabin deep in the forest—one he had prepared in case of an emergency. The cabin was small but secure, with enough provisions to last them for several days. As they huddled together inside, Clara realized the full extent of the danger they were in. “We can’t live like this,” she said, her voice trembling. “We can’t keep running.”

Nate nodded grimly. “We don’t have to run forever. But we need to fight back.”

That night, as they huddled around a dimly lit table, Clara made a vow to herself and to her children. They would not be victims anymore. They would find Carmichael, expose his work, and stop the dark forces that had tormented their lives for far too long.

Chapter Twenty-Five: Building a Network

The next few weeks were a blur of movement and planning. Clara and Nate knew they couldn’t take on Carmichael’s organization alone. They needed people who understood the inner workings of the biotech underground, people who had firsthand knowledge of the experiments, and people who were willing to stand up and fight.

Their first ally came in the form of Dr. Sophia Grant, a former colleague of Carmichael’s who had been disgusted by his methods and had quit the project years ago. Sophia had been in hiding ever since, her life shattered by the realization of what she had been a part of.

With her help, Clara and Nate began to uncover more about the organization’s infrastructure and the secret facilities that were scattered across the country. But Sophia warned them: Carmichael’s power didn’t just lie in his research. It came from the powerful people who funded him.

“You’re not just fighting Carmichael,” Sophia said, her voice low and tense. “You’re fighting a system that protects him. There are people at the highest levels who want to see his work succeed.”

The revelation hit Clara and Nate hard. They had thought they were just dealing with one man. But now they realized they were up against an entire network, one that was deeply entrenched in both the scientific and political worlds.

But Clara refused to back down. This was no longer just about exposing the truth—it was about taking down the system that had perpetuated this nightmare for so long. And they would stop at nothing to see it through.

………..Get the Remaining Three chapters below.

Thanks You for the support

Complete Novel Now Available in Our Shop

You can purchase it with Your BE-Points or Pay With Your ATM. Click below to Get

Download Now
  • no reactions
0
2 Share

WHY CLARA? contd

Why Clara

By Donfik

Published

January 2024

Buy Complete Chapter

Chapter Eighteen: The Meeting’s Turning Point

Clara stared at Nate, her mind reeling from everything he had just revealed. The thought of her body being used as an experiment, the idea that her family had been part of something so much larger than herself, made her blood boil. Anger and betrayal surged through her veins, but Nate’s steady gaze grounded her. He understood. He shared the pain.

“What do we do now?” Clara asked, her voice trembling with a mixture of fear and resolve. She could feel the weight of the decision pressing down on her, but there was no turning back. The truth was out, and there was only one path forward.

“We find him,” Nate said simply, his voice firm with determination. “We find Carmichael, and we hold him accountable. For Ethan. For you.”

Clara hesitated, the protectiveness she felt for her son overwhelming her. “And what about Ethan? How do I explain this to him one day?” She couldn’t bear the thought of her child being caught in the crossfire of a battle that was not his own. Nate’s gaze softened, his expression one of understanding. “You tell him the truth when the time is right. And I’ll be there. If you’ll let me.” For the first time, Clara saw Nate not as a stranger—someone whose presence had been forced upon her—but as a man who, like her, had been caught in the same web of deceit. 

A man who, despite the betrayal, was willing to stand by her side and fight for what was right. A man who was committed to the truth, no matter how difficult it might be.

Clara’s heart fluttered in her chest, a mixture of fear, hope, and something deeper she wasn’t quite ready to name.

Chapter Nineteen: The Past Unveiled

Determined to uncover the full extent of what had happened, Clara and Nate dug deeper into her family’s history. She uncovered journals and letters from her mother, Evelyn, which sent chills down her spine. It seemed her mother had known more than Clara had ever realized.

One entry in particular stood out. It was cryptic, written in a hurried, almost frantic tone:
 “They think they can play God with our blood. But no one should hold that kind of power.”

The words haunted Clara as she read them again. Evelyn had known something—had seen the danger that lurked beneath the surface—and had done everything in her power to keep her children safe. But her early death had left these warnings buried, their significance unknown until now.

As Clara pieced together the fragments of her mother’s warnings, she realized that Evelyn’s refusal to participate in certain experiments had marked her as a threat in the eyes of those who had been orchestrating these studies. Evelyn’s rejection had only made them more determined to continue their work in secret, with Clara and Nate becoming the unwilling subjects of their experiments.

Chapter Twenty: The Hunt for Carmichael

With the pieces of the puzzle finally falling into place, Clara and Nate set out on a dangerous mission to track down Dr. Carmichael. Using Nate’s scientific connections, they uncovered whispers of Carmichael’s continued work in the biotech underground. They learned of shadowy organizations, hidden research facilities, and unethical experiments that were still taking place.

Their search led them to a dilapidated research facility on the outskirts of a distant city. Inside, they found evidence of experiments eerily similar to those done on them. Files on other women, other children, all marked with the same callous disregard for consent. It was clear that Carmichael’s work had never truly stopped—it had only evolved.

When they finally confronted him, Carmichael was unrepentant. “You were part of something greater than yourselves,” he sneered. “Ethan is proof that perfection is possible.”

Clara’s anger boiled over. “You stole from us. You turned our lives into experiments without even asking.”

But Carmichael’s final revelation sent a chill down their spines. “Ethan isn’t just a child. He’s the key to everything.”

The weight of his words hung in the air like a threat. What did that mean for Ethan? For their future?

Get the concluding chapters via the download link below.....

Next Chapters will continue their journey to expose the full scope of Carmichael’s twisted operations, and Clara and Nate’s bond as co-parents and partners will only deepen as they fight to protect their children and bring justice to the victims of Carmichael’s experiments.

Complete Novel Now Available in Our Shop

You can purchase it with Your BE-Points or Pay With Your ATM. Click below to Get

Download Now
  • no reactions
0
2 Share

Why Clara? Cntd

Why Clara

By Donfik

Published

January 2024

Buy Complete Chapter

Chapter Twelve: Nathaniel’s Harrington

Nathaniel “Nate” Harrington had never intended to come to Ashton Valley. To him, the town was a quiet, inconsequential place—far from the bustling laboratories and cutting-edge research centers where he felt most at home. Nate’s life was defined by order and predictability: a regimen of research, work, and solitary reflection. Social events like medical conferences, with their endless networking and small talk, were far from his interests.

However, his mentor, Dr. Carmichael, had insisted that Nate attend the conference, knowing how important it was for his own plans. Dr. Carmichael had seen in Nate the potential for extraordinary things—things that were still too far-fetched, even for a scientist like Nate to fully grasp. For Nate, this conference was an obligation, not an opportunity. He was there at Dr. Carmichael’s request, but his mind was elsewhere, preoccupied with thoughts of the next big project he could sink his teeth into.

But fate, as it often does, had other plans for Nate. After a long day of presentations, debates, and academic posturing, Nate stepped out into the crisp evening air, feeling the weight of exhaustion bearing down on him. The conference had drained him, leaving him with a strange sense of unease. Something about the atmosphere in Ashton Valley didn’t sit right with him. He couldn’t place it—perhaps it was the quiet, rural setting, so different from the pulse of the city, or maybe it was something deeper, something he couldn’t name.

As he walked back to his hotel room, the dizziness hit him out of nowhere. His vision blurred, his head spun, and before he could even react, his legs buckled beneath him. He collapsed in the middle of the street, the world spinning around him as his body gave way.

The next thing he knew, he woke up in a sterile, dimly lit hospital room, a sense of confusion overwhelming him. His body felt weak, drained—like he had been through something he couldn’t remember. When a nurse entered the room, she explained that he had suffered a severe allergic reaction. The cause was still unclear, but it had been serious enough to warrant immediate medical attention.

Despite the chaos, one thing stood out to Nate. He couldn’t recall the moment he had collapsed, but he had a lingering sense of something more sinister—something that didn’t align with the usual course of medical emergencies. Had someone intentionally made him sick? His mind raced with suspicions, but his thoughts were too muddled to form a coherent theory.

What Nate didn’t know, what he couldn’t have possibly known, was that in his unconscious state, his blood had been taken—without his consent, without any explanation. Dr. Carmichael, ever the manipulative genius, had seen an opportunity in Nate’s rare genetic makeup. It wasn’t just Nate’s scientific mind that Dr. Carmichael found valuable; it was his genetics—the rare traits that Nate had inherited through his family lineage. These were the traits that would make Nate the perfect candidate for Dr. Carmichael’s secret experiments.

Dr. Carmichael had long been working on a project to push the boundaries of human potential, and Nate’s genetic material, combined with Clara’s, was the key to unlocking something far beyond their understanding. The hospital staff, under Dr. Carmichael’s direction, had taken what they needed, using Nate’s unconscious state to perform the illegal procedure that would set everything in motion.

Chapter Thirteen: A Connection in the Shadows

Clara’s thoughts were clouded, a swirling storm of confusion and fragments of memories she couldn’t quite piece together. As she spent more time with Ethan, bonding with him slowly and steadily, the questions that had haunted her for years only grew louder in her mind. Every passing day with him made her realize just how much she didn’t know about her own story—or his. The need to understand what had truly happened during her pregnancy, to uncover the truth about her connection to Ethan, became unbearable.

At first, it had been a simple feeling in the back of her mind—something wasn’t right, something didn’t make sense. But the more she thought about the events surrounding the pregnancy, the more Clara began to question her memories. Why had she been chosen to carry Ethan? She didn’t remember much about the months leading up to his birth. She recalled being in the hospital, but her mind was foggy on the specifics. There was something deeply unsettling about the whole experience, and the mystery gnawed at her.

As she continued to search for answers, Clara’s suspicions led her down a dark path. It all started with a specific event, one that had seemed harmless at the time, but now stood out like a flashing red warning sign. Five years ago, Ashton Valley had hosted an annual medical conference, a prestigious event that attracted experts from across the country. Clara had been a volunteer at the local hospital during that time, a decision she now regretted more than she could ever admit.

The conference itself had been a blur of lectures, workshops, and discussions about the latest advancements in medicine. Clara had thought little of the event at the time—after all, she was there to gain extra credit for her studies, not to be caught up in anything more sinister. But what Clara didn’t know was that the conference marked the beginning of a series of events that would alter her life in ways she could never have predicted.

Nathaniel Harrington, a biochemist with a reputation for brilliance and eccentricity, had attended the conference to present his groundbreaking research on cellular regeneration. At the time, Clara didn’t pay much attention to him—he was just another scientist in a room full of academics, each of them speaking in jargon that was far beyond her comprehension. But now, in hindsight, Clara began to wonder if his presence at the conference had been more than just coincidental. Was he connected to Dr. Carmichael’s mysterious research? Was there something more to Ethan’s origins than she had ever imagined?

Her mind raced with these questions as she started digging into her memories. The more she searched, the more certain she became that something darker had transpired—something that would connect her to Nathaniel Harrington in ways she couldn’t yet understand.

Chapter Fourteen: A Night of Confusion

For Clara, the night she had volunteered at the hospital, the night everything had changed, felt like a blur—a strange and disorienting experience that had left her with more questions than answers. She had been assigned to help with routine health screenings for a group of patients, a task that seemed innocuous enough. But something about that night felt off. She had been led into a back room by a nurse she didn’t recognize, a woman who spoke in hushed tones, assuring Clara that everything was standard procedure.

The procedure she underwent that night was far from standard.

Dr. Carmichael had been orchestrating his own experiments for years, operating under the guise of routine medical procedures. He had taken Clara’s eggs, without her knowledge or consent, and combined them with Nate’s genetic material, forming an embryo—one that would grow into the child who was now standing before her, Ethan.

Clara had no memory of this. She didn’t know that her eggs had been harvested, didn’t know that her body had been used in a twisted, unethical experiment. She had woken up the next day with no explanation, feeling strange, disoriented, but with no clear recollection of what had happened. The hospital staff had dismissed her concerns, telling her that everything had gone as planned. But the nagging feeling lingered, and as she pieced together her fragmented memories, Clara began to realize just how deeply she had been manipulated.

The truth was darker than she could have ever imagined: she had been part of an experiment, and Ethan was the result.

But there was more. Dr. Carmichael had been playing a dangerous game. The child he had created wasn’t just any child—Ethan was meant to be something more, something extraordinary. But what he hadn’t foreseen was the emotional cost of his manipulations. Clara’s connection to Ethan, her love for him, would make everything far more complicated than he had planned. And now, as Clara began to uncover the truth, the shadows of the past were beginning to emerge, threatening to destroy everything she had built.

Chapter Fifteen: Nate’s Suspicion 

Years had passed since Nate last thought about Ashton Valley, but as fate would have it, he stumbled across a journal entry from his time there. The notes were vague, but an unsettling feeling gnawed at him as he read. It was a simple mention of an unexpected hospital visit, one that had left a mark on him, but the specifics were lost in the haze of his memory. He had thought little of it at the time, chalking it up to the confusion of his situation. 

But as Nate continued to dig, a creeping unease began to settle in. Hospital records from that time didn’t line up. There were unauthorized tests, missing documentation, and inexplicable gaps in his medical history. These anomalies stirred something deep inside him—a feeling that something far more sinister had been at play, and he had been a part of it.

His unease only deepened when he came across an article about Clara Yale, who had returned to Ashton Valley. The article detailed the mysterious circumstances surrounding her pregnancy years ago, something that seemed to overlap with the timeframe of Nate’s own visit to the hospital. The timelines were too neat, too connected. Nate’s curiosity morphed into concern. He couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that he might be linked to Clara’s child in ways he hadn’t yet imagined. Determined to uncover the truth, Nate packed his bags and headed back to Ashton Valley, haunted by the possibility that his life had been shaped by forces beyond his control—and that those forces might still be lurking in the shadows.

Chapter Sixteen: Revelations and Shadows 

Clara sat in the dim corner of a quiet café in Ashton Valley, her fingers trembling as she cradled a mug of warm tea. Her breath caught as she looked across the table at Nate. There was a nervous energy between them, a silent recognition of the shared weight they carried. He was a stranger in many ways, but there was a deeper connection between them, one that neither of them could fully grasp. 

“I don’t know how to say this,” Nate began, his voice steady but laced with an undercurrent of unease. “But I think we’re connected in ways neither of us could have imagined.” 

Clara’s guarded expression betrayed only the slightest flicker of vulnerability. She had built walls around herself over the years, and no one had ever breached them—until now. “You think you’re connected to Ethan?” she asked quietly, her voice trembling just enough for Nate to notice. 

Nate nodded and slid a folder across the table. The weight of it seemed almost symbolic—proof, perhaps, that the pieces of the puzzle were finally coming together. Inside the folder were copies of medical records, notes from his journal, and even a faded photograph of him standing at the Ashton Valley hospital. He had been there years ago, unaware of the significance of his visit. 

“I had no idea what was done to me until recently,” Nate said, his voice tight with frustration. “These documents prove that my blood and DNA were taken without my consent. The same thing that was done to you, Clara.”

Clara’s breath hitched as she scanned the papers. Her eyes moved quickly over the documents, each one confirming her worst fears. The timelines matched up—the same period she had volunteered at the hospital, the same experiments that had been conducted. Her head swam with the realization of how deep this rabbit hole went. “Why me?” she whispered, the weight of the question pressing down on her chest.

Nate leaned forward, his voice strained. “You were chosen because of your genetic profile. Something unique in your family line. They didn’t just choose randomly. It wasn’t a coincidence.”

The words hit Clara like a punch to the gut. Her family—her lineage—had been targeted for reasons she couldn’t even begin to comprehend. The idea that her body had been used as a vessel for an experiment was incomprehensible, and yet, all the evidence was laid out before her.

Chapter Seventeen: Secrets of the Yale Family

As Clara delved deeper into the documents Nate had uncovered, a chilling truth began to emerge about her own family. Her late mother, Evelyn Yale, had unknowingly participated in genetic studies in her youth. Samples had been taken from her during routine visits to various medical facilities, and unbeknownst to Evelyn, these samples had been cataloged and kept by research institutions for years.

Clara had always thought of her mother as a fiercely independent woman, someone who had fought against the odds to raise her children after Clara’s father had disappeared. She never suspected that Evelyn’s genetics had been the subject of so much interest. The documents revealed that Evelyn’s genetic profile had been flagged as “extraordinary” due to a rare chromosomal marker that enhanced resilience and cognitive ability—a trait that Clara, unknowingly, had inherited.

But it wasn’t just Evelyn who had been a part of these studies. Clara’s entire family had been quietly monitored, with her lineage becoming a point of fascination for genetic researchers long before Clara had ever set foot in Ashton Valley. The truth hit Clara like a cold wave: she was no accident. She had been a target long before she even knew what was happening. Dr. Carmichael’s interest in Clara wasn’t just because of her biology; it was because her family had been a part of this twisted experiment for generations. 

His notes revealed his belief that combining Clara’s genetic material with Nate’s rare genome could produce a child with unparalleled potential—a child who could change everything. Nate’s voice brought Clara back to the present. “Your family was part of this before you were even born. They used both of us, Clara. We were never meant to know.”

The words reverberated in Clara’s mind, a bitter truth she didn’t want to accept. She had been manipulated, and so had Nate. Their lives had never been their own. They had been pawns in a much larger game.

………..To be Continued

Complete Novel Now Available in Our Shop

You can purchase it with Your BE-Points or Pay With Your ATM. Click below to Get

Download Now
  • no reactions
0
2 Share

Why Clara?

Leonardo_Phoenix_10_A_mesmerizing_book_cover_for_the_novel_Why_0

Why Clara?

By Donfik

Published

January 2024

Buy PDF

Chapter One: The Unexpected Revelation 

Clara Yale was not the sort of girl who was accustomed to the spotlight. At nineteen, she lived a quiet life in the small town of Ashton Valley. She was studious, kind-hearted, and deeply devoted to her family. There was nothing particularly remarkable about Clara. She had no history with men, no secret lovers, and no whispers of scandal following her like a shadow. Clara sat nervously in the sterile doctor’s office, the cool metal of the examination table biting into her skin. Her fingers twisted around each other, a habit she had developed from years of dealing with anxiety. It wasn’t that she was a nervous person—Clara had always been the quiet, introspective type, preferring to stay on the sidelines of life. But today, she felt the weight of something far more ominous than mere nerves pressing against her chest.


Dr. Mitchell, a middle-aged man with soft eyes and a caring smile, adjusted his glasses as he sat across from her. Clara had come to him weeks ago, unsure of what was happening with her body. She hadn’t told anyone about the faint, subtle changes she’d noticed—how her clothes had started to feel a little tighter, how she had become more exhausted than usual. But now, sitting in front of him, the truth loomed larger than anything she had anticipated.

“Clara, I know this is hard to hear,” Dr. Mitchell began, his tone serious, “but after reviewing the results of your tests,

“You’re four months pregnant, Miss Yale.”

Clara sat frozen in shock, her mind whirling. There was no explanation. No memory of a night of passion or of anything that could have led to this moment. How could she be pregnant? She had no answers, only the gnawing fear that her life as she knew it had just shattered.

The words hung in the air, swirling around Clara’s mind, muffling all other thoughts. Pregnant? How was that possible? She had never been intimate with a man—never even held hands with one for more than a few seconds. She had always been shy, avoiding the complexities of relationships while quietly focusing on her studies and her family. A deep flush of heat crawled up her neck as she tried to grasp the enormity of what was being said.

Her stomach twisted in disbelief. The young woman shook her head, attempting to convince herself she had heard wrong. “I—I don’t understand,” Clara stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. How is that possible? “I haven’t… I haven’t been with anyone —” She broke off, her voice trembling.

Dr. Mitchell gave her a compassionate look, though his brow furrowed with concern. “The pregnancy test is quite clear, Miss Yale. I’m afraid I can’t explain it, but you are carrying a child. You should consult with your family immediately.”

Her heart pounded in her chest. This was beyond her comprehension. No one would believe her. How could anyone? She had become a walking contradiction, the epitome of confusion and disbelief.

Chapter Two: The Ridicule

The news of Clara’s pregnancy spread through the small town of Ashton Valley like wildfire. Whispers followed her everywhere she went. She could hear them behind closed doors, in the marketplace, even in the hallways of her school. It wasn’t just the scandal of an unwed girl being pregnant—there were the rumors, the speculation. Everyone had their theories, and none of them were kind.

Some claimed she was hiding an illicit affair, a forbidden tryst that no one knew about. Others suggested that she had been taken advantage of, though there was no evidence to back up that assumption. But the worst rumors—those that stung the most—suggested she had somehow orchestrated this pregnancy herself for attention. The mockery Clara received was relentless.

As if this weren’t enough, Clara’s engagement to Anthon Smith, the town’s most eligible bachelor, now felt like a distant memory. Anthon was everything Clara wasn’t: tall, handsome, charming, and from one of the wealthiest families in the region. He was her fiancé, a handsome and confident young man, tall and charming with an easy smile. Anthon came from a family of wealth, and his future had been set from the moment he was born. His parents adored Cla ra, and for a while, she had believed they were a perfect match.

The most painful of all was Anthon Smith’s reaction. He was supposed to be the one who would protect her from the world’s cruel gaze, not one who would turn away because of something that had happened beyond their control.

Anthon had been supportive at first, trying to comfort her in the face of this unimaginable crisis. But as the weeks wore on, his unease grew. His family was influential, and their reputation was untouchable. They could not afford to be tainted by Clara’s scandal.

But now, things had changed.

Anthon’s handsome features twisted with confusion and anger when he confronted Clara. “Clara, you’ve lied to me. I don’t understand how this could happen. You were supposed to be the one woman I could trust.”

Her heart broke as she tried to explain. “Anthon, I swear I don’t know how this happened. I would never—”

“You’ve betrayed me,” he said coldly, stepping away from her. “I can’t be seen with you now, Clara. My family… they won’t stand for this. 

One evening, Clara’s father, a quiet and humble man, tried to console Anthon during a tense dinner at their home. “I know this is difficult,” he said gently, his voice full of warmth. “But the baby is a gift. We can raise it together, move forward as a family.”

Anthon’s face hardened as he set his fork down with a clink. “I can’t go forward with this, Mr. Yale,” he said, his voice laced with frustration. “The public is already turning against us. I don’t know how I can marry Clara with this hanging over us. Maybe… maybe we could send the child away after it’s born. Let it have a better life than the one it would have here.”

Clara’s heart dropped to her stomach at the suggestion. Send the child away? Was he serious?

“I won’t do that,” she said, her voice firm, though her heart trembled. “This is my child, Anthon. I won’t abandon it.”

It was a difficult decision, but Clara knew she had made the right one. Even as the world around her fell apart, she held onto her child like a lifeline .And just like that, the engagement was called off. Anthon left her, his good looks and societal status no match for his inability to stand by her in her time of need.

Chapter Three: A New Beginning

Five years passed. Clara had taken Nora, her daughter, and gone abroad to start anew, away from the judgmental eyes of left Ashton Valley, escaping the suffocating small-town gossip and the harsh judgment of the people who once knew her. She moved to a quiet corner of Europe. Clara found herself in a different world now, one that was both foreign and familiar at the same time. The last few years had been difficult—emotionally, physically, and financially—but they had also been transformative. 

She poured all her love into raising Nora, and in the process, something miraculous happened. Clara began to heal, both physically and emotionally. The weight of the world seemed to lift from her shoulders as she embraced her new life. The strain of years of ridicule melted away, and Clara’s self-confidence grew. She lost weight, her figure reshaped by both time and the joy of motherhood. The girl who had once been a target for whispers and cruel stares now stood before the world as a gorgeous, poised woman.

Nora, now five years old, grew into a lively, intelligent child with striking eyes that mirrored Clara’s own. The bond between mother and daughter was undeniable, and Clara had never been happier. Nora was everything Clara had dreamed of—bright, full of joy, and a mirror of her mother’s love and determination. The pair had developed an unshakable bond. And in the quiet moments of their life together, Clara would whisper to her daughter, telling her the truth of their story: how she had defied the odds, how they had made it together.

But despite her newfound happiness, a part of her heart remained heavy with the question she had never stopped asking: What had happened to her son?

What Clara hadn’t known was that her son, whom she had named Ethan, had vanished under mysterious circumstances right after birth. A nurse had mistakenly given him to the wrong family, and by the time Clara and her family realized, the child had disappeared without a trace.

Clara would not rest until she found him. The search would be long, the trail cold, but her determination was fiercer than any force she had ever known. And perhaps, just perhaps, there was a chance that, after all these years, she would find her son.

Chapter Four: The Return

Clara and Nora returned to Ashton Valley not to repair broken relationships, but to find the answers Clara had been searching for all these years. She had grown stronger in her resolve, her quest for her son now the driving force in her life. When they arrived, Clara’s appearance stunned the town. No longer the shy, heavy girl they had known, she was now a vision of elegance. She no longer needed to hide from the world. But even with her newfound beauty and confidence, Clara’s focus remained on the son she had lost.

But even with her new confidence, Clara’s heart still ached. Her son was out there somewhere, and no matter how much time had passed, she would not rest until she found him. She knew the town would expect her to give up—to let the mystery fade into oblivion. But Clara had learned that some secrets, like love and loss, were worth fighting for.

It had been five years since she had seen her son, but she had never stopped searching. And now, with Nora by her side and the strength she had found within herself, Clara was determined to uncover the truth.

Her son had to be found. She wouldn’t rest until he was in her arms again. And whatever it took, Clara Yale was ready to face the world—no matter how much it had changed.

As she and Nora began their search for Ethan, Clara found strength she never knew she had. She was no longer just the girl they had once ridiculed. She was a mother—a force to be reckoned with, determined to uncover the silent secret of her past.

And maybe, just maybe, Clara would find the family she had once lost

CHAPTER FIVE: THE PAST HUNTS

Clara clenched her fists, summoning the resolve she’d cultivated over the years. The memories of her son’s disappearance weren’t just painful—they were maddening. How could such a monumental mistake go unpunished? How could an infant vanish without a trace? These were questions that had tormented her for half a decade.
As they stepped into the town square, she couldn’t help but notice the curious gazes from the townsfolk. Ashton Valley was a place where time seemed to stand still, where gossip was currency, and where secrets never truly died. But Clara was no longer the naive girl who had fled in shame.
She walked tall, her daughter’s hand clasped tightly in hers, her eyes forward and unyielding. If anyone dared to confront her, she was prepared. Nora was the light of her life, and her return to Ashton Valley was not a concession to the past but a declaration of her strength.
In the days that followed, Clara began her search with quiet determination. She visited the hospital where she had given birth, digging through old records, questioning staff, and piecing together fragments of that chaotic day. Each lead seemed to bring her closer and then cruelly slip out of reach.
But the questions didn’t go unnoticed. Soon, whispers began anew.
“She’s back,” an older woman muttered outside the bakery.
“Looking for her lost son, they say,” a man at the bar added. “Can you imagine? Still clinging to that story after all these years.”
But not everyone was quick to judge.
In the midst of her investigation, Clara encountered an unexpected ally—Martha Weaver, a retired nurse who had worked at the hospital during Clara’s delivery. The elderly woman’s eyes softened with recognition when she saw Clara.
“I remember you, my dear,” Martha said gently, her voice trembling with emotion. “You were just a frightened girl back then. I’ve always felt there was something… wrong about how things happened that day.”
Clara’s heart quickened. “Please, Mrs. Weaver. If you know anything—anything at all—tell me. I’ve been searching for my son for years.”
The old nurse hesitated before nodding. “There was chaos that morning. We were short-staffed, and there was an emergency in the neonatal unit. I remember hearing whispers about a mix-up, but I never had the chance to look into it. I retired shortly after that.”
“Do you think someone could have taken him? On purpose?” Clara’s voice wavered with both hope and fear.
Martha sighed. “I don’t know, child. But I do know this—if someone did take your son, they were careful to cover their tracks. There were no reports, no investigations. It was as if the incident never happened.”
Clara left the meeting with a mix of emotions—gratitude for Martha’s honesty, anger at the injustice, and a renewed determination to uncover the truth.

CHAPTER SIX: Secrets Unearthed

The following week, Clara received an anonymous tip. A letter had been slipped under the door of the small cottage she had rented. The handwriting was neat but unfamiliar, and the message was cryptic:
“The answers you seek lie within the walls of Ashton Valley General Hospital. Look beyond the records—they’ve hidden the truth in plain sight.”
The note sent a shiver down Clara’s spine. It was both a clue and a warning. She didn’t know who had sent it or why, but she knew one thing for certain—someone in Ashton Valley knew the truth about her son.
With Nora safely tucked away with a trusted neighbor, Clara made her way back to the hospital under the cover of night. The building, with its sterile white walls and cold fluorescent lights, was a stark contrast to the warmth of her memories before the fateful day her life had changed.
Clara’s hands trembled as she navigated the halls, searching for anything that might confirm the note’s claim. Her heart raced as she came upon a locked file room. She had no key, but years of determination had taught her to be resourceful. With a hairpin and a steady hand, she managed to jimmy the lock open.
Inside, she found rows of old files, their yellowed pages a testament to the passage of time. She sifted through the records, her eyes scanning for any mention of her name, her son, or the events of that day.
Then, tucked away in the back of a drawer, she found it—a file marked with a date that matched her son’s birth.
Clara’s breath hitched as she opened the file. What she read made her blood run cold
The contents of the file painted a horrifying picture. It wasn’t just a case of negligence—it was deliberate. Scrawled notes, hastily written, hinted at a cover-up. A memo, dated the day after Clara had given birth, read:
“Infant transfer completed per directive. Record adjusted to maintain anonymity. Notify no one.”
Clara’s hands shook as she flipped through the pages. The name listed as the recipient of the “transfer” was blacked out, but one detail stood out—a signature at the bottom of the document.
Dr. Edwin Carmichael.
Her heart sank. Dr. Carmichael had been one of the most respected doctors in Ashton Valley—a man trusted by the entire community. But Clara knew now that his reputation was built on lies.
Why would he take her son? What was the motive? And who else was involved?
She stuffed the file into her bag, her mind racing with possibilities. As she turned to leave, the sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway. Clara froze, her pulse pounding in her ears.
“Who’s there?” a gruff voice called out.
Clara ducked behind a row of cabinets, holding her breath. She peeked around the corner to see a security guard patrolling the area, his flashlight cutting through the darkness.
Her heart raced as she waited for him to pass. When the coast was clear, she slipped out of the room and down the hall, clutching the stolen file like a lifeline.

CHAPTER SEVEN: THE CONFRONTATION

The next morning, Clara sat in her kitchen, the stolen file spread out on the table. She couldn’t do this alone. She needed help—someone who could decipher the cryptic notes and help her unravel the truth.
Her mind turned to the only person in town with the resources and connections to make a difference: Anthon Smith.
It was a bitter thought. The man who had abandoned her when she needed him most was now her best chance at finding her son. But Clara wasn’t the same timid girl she had been five years ago. She was a mother on a mission, and she would do whatever it took to bring her family back together.
When Clara arrived at the Smith estate, she was greeted by the same imposing gates that had once symbolized her future. Now, they were a barrier between her and the man who had turned his back on her.
Anthon met her in the grand foyer, his expression a mixture of surprise and unease.
“Clara,” he said, his voice guarded. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“I didn’t expect to come,” she replied, her tone steely. “But I need your help.”
Anthon’s brow furrowed. “Help with what?”
She placed the file on the table between them. “My son. He’s alive, Anthon. And I need to find him.”
Anthon’s eyes widened as he scanned the documents. “Where did you get this?”
“It doesn’t matter,” Clara said firmly. “What matters is that someone in this town took my son, and I won’t stop until I find him.”
Anthon hesitated, his gaze shifting between Clara and the file. “This… this is serious. If Dr. Carmichael was involved, then—”
“Then we expose him,” Clara interrupted. “I don’t care about his reputation or yours. My son is out there, and I need to know where he is.”
Anthon leaned back, rubbing his temples. “You’re asking me to go against one of the most powerful families in Ashton Valley. This won’t be easy.”
Clara’s eyes burned with determination. “It’s not supposed to be easy. It’s supposed to be right.”

CHAPTER eIGHT: SHADOWS OF THE PAST

With Anthon reluctantly on board, the two began digging deeper into Dr. Carmichael’s connections. They uncovered a network of wealthy families who had quietly “adopted” children under questionable circumstances. The pattern was clear—babies were taken from vulnerable mothers and given to families willing to pay for a discreet adoption.
The discovery sent shockwaves through Clara. Her son hadn’t just been taken—he had been sold.
The investigation led them to a name: the Lanes, a prominent family who had recently moved out of Ashton Valley. The timing of their departure matched the date on the memo Clara had found.
“I know them,” Anthon said grimly. “They’ve been involved in shady dealings before, but nothing this severe.”
Clara’s jaw tightened. “Then we go to them. We make them tell us where Ethan is.”
Anthon hesitated. “If they really did take him, they won’t give him up without a fight.”
“Then we fight,” Clara said fiercely. “Whatever it takes, Anthon. I’m not leaving without my son.”
As the two prepared to confront the Lanes, Clara felt a surge of hope and fear. She was closer than ever to finding Ethan, but the road ahead was fraught with danger.

No matter what lay ahead, Clara knew one thing: she would not rest until her family was whole again.

CHAPTER NINE: A Mother's Resolve

Clara stood outside the opulent Lane estate, her heart pounding. The sprawling mansion was a stark reminder of the wealth and privilege that had shielded people like the Lanes from accountability. Beside her, Anthon looked uneasy, his confidence shaken by the gravity of what they were about to do.

“You’re sure about this?” he asked.

Clara nodded, her eyes fixed on the imposing front door. “This isn’t just about me, Anthon. It’s about Ethan. I need answers.”

As they approached the door, Clara straightened her shoulders. Anthon rang the doorbell, and the chime echoed inside. Moments later, a woman in her fifties appeared, her sharp features softened by a practiced smile.

“Can I help you?” she asked, her tone polite but guarded.

“I’m Clara Yale,” Clara said, her voice steady. “I believe you have my son.”

The woman’s smile faltered, and her eyes flickered to Anthon. “I’m sorry, but I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Clara stepped forward, holding up the file. “This says otherwise. I know about Dr. Carmichael and the adoption network. I know Ethan was taken from me and given to your family.”

The woman’s face hardened. “I think you should leave.”

“I’m not leaving without my son,” Clara said firmly.

The tension was palpable. The woman hesitated before finally stepping aside. “Come in,” she said quietly.

CHAPTER TEN: The Truth Unveiled

Inside, the Lanes’ home was as lavish as Clara had expected. But she had no time to take in her surroundings. Her focus was on the truth—on Ethan.

Mrs. Lane led them into a spacious sitting room and gestured for them to sit. Clara remained standing.

“My husband and I didn’t know the full story when we adopted Ethan,” Mrs. Lane began, her voice tinged with defensiveness. “Dr. Carmichael assured us that the mother had willingly given him up.”

Clara’s stomach churned. “That’s a lie,” she said. “I never consented to anything. He was taken from me.”

Mrs. Lane looked away, guilt flickering across her face. “I didn’t know. I swear. But Ethan is our son now. He’s been with us for five years. He doesn’t know you.”

Tears stung Clara’s eyes, but she refused to back down. “He’s my son. I carried him for nine months. I’ve spent every day since searching for him. I deserve to know him.”

Anthon, sensing the rising tension, stepped in. “Mrs. Lane, you need to understand what Clara has been through. Ethan deserves the truth as much as she does.”

Mrs. Lane’s expression softened. “He’s a good boy,” she said quietly. “Happy, healthy. We’ve given him everything he could ever need.”

Clara’s voice trembled with emotion. “Except his mother.”

After a long silence, Mrs. Lane sighed. “He’s at school right now. But… I’ll arrange for you to meet him. He deserves to know where he came from.”

Relief and fear washed over Clara in equal measure. She was finally going to see her son—but what if he didn’t want to know her?

CHAPTER ELEVEN: A Long-Awaited Reunion

The morning air felt thick with anticipation as Clara stood outside the school, her heart hammering in her chest. She was finally here, the moment she had dreamed about for five years. The Lanes had agreed to allow her to meet Ethan, but only under their watchful eyes. Clara had no choice but to accept the conditions; after all, she had never anticipated anything like this.

She glanced at the school entrance, watching the children spill out, laughing and chattering with their friends. The sight of so many families reunited made her ache for what she had lost. For a moment, it was as if time stood still, and all the uncertainty, all the waiting, led to this one moment.

Then, her breath caught in her throat.

There he was. Ethan.

He was taller than she had imagined, his dark hair a striking contrast against his pale skin, and his eyes—those eyes—were identical to hers. A jolt of recognition shot through her, but she stood frozen, afraid to approach too quickly. He was holding Mrs. Lane’s hand as she guided him toward Clara.

“Ethan,” Mrs. Lane said, her voice soft but kind. “This is Clara. She… she’s your birth mother.”

Ethan’s eyes widened in confusion, his brows furrowing. “My… birth mother?” His voice cracked, a mix of curiosity and apprehension. He had been told about her, but this moment felt surreal, like a story unfolding in front of him that didn’t quite make sense.

Clara knelt down to his level, her hands shaking as she wiped away the sudden tears that had begun to fall. “Hi, Ethan,” she said, her voice quivering. “I’ve waited so long to meet you.”

Ethan studied her face carefully, his innocent eyes flicking back and forth between Clara and Mrs. Lane, trying to make sense of the situation. After a long pause, he finally spoke, his voice small and unsure. “Why did you wait so long?”

Clara’s chest tightened, her heart breaking at the weight of his question. She had rehearsed this moment in her mind a thousand times, but now, faced with his uncertainty, the words felt inadequate. “I didn’t want to wait, Ethan,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “I didn’t know where you were. But I never stopped looking for you. Not for one single day.”

There was a flicker of something in Ethan’s eyes—maybe it was recognition, maybe it was a need for reassurance. Then, slowly, cautiously, he extended his hand toward her. Clara’s heart swelled, and she reached out, taking his small, tentative hand in hers.

“Are you going to stay?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper, filled with the uncertainty of a child asking for a promise.

Clara smiled through her tears, her voice thick with emotion. “If you want me to, I’ll stay as long as you need me.”

For the first time in five long years, Clara felt a sense of peace settle in her heart. She wasn’t sure what the future held, but for the first time, the hope she had so desperately clung to felt like a reality.

THE QUESTION STILL LINGER, HOW DID SHE GET PREGNANT

……To be Continued

  • no reactions
0
13 Share
Enable Notifications OK No thanks