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Chapter 8 - The Truth UnveiledFollowing the opening ceremony, Raymond practically threw open the doors to the private executive boardroom, abandoning Julianna and his mother in the hallway.

Clara was sitting at the head of the long mahogany conference table, flanked by Graham Bell and her senior attorney, Mr. Ledford. She was calmly sipping a cup of chamomile tea.

"What is the meaning of this, Clara?!" Raymond shouted, his face flushed red with a mixture of shock and humiliation. "Is this some kind of sick game? How do you own Ellison-Bell?"

"It isn't a game, Raymond," Clara said softly, setting her teacup down without a sound. "My father co-founded this company. His shares were locked in trust until I turned thirty-eight or walked away from your family without taking a single cent of Whitmore money."

She raised her eyebrows slightly. "You made that second condition remarkably easy when you left my suitcase by the gate."

Raymond swallowed hard, his eyes darting frantically from her face down to her midsection. His heart pounded against his ribs like a sledgehammer.

"You're... you're pregnant," he stammered, stepping closer to the table. "How? We tried for eleven years! The doctors said—"

"The doctors said it was impossible under the stress I was suffering in your house," Clara interrupted coldly. "It seems removing the poison from my life was all my body needed."

Raymond’s breath hitched. "Is it... is it mine?"

Mr. Ledford slid a legal document across the table. "Mr. Whitmore, my client owes you no explanations. However, regarding your petition for an annulment based on 'failure to produce an heir,' we have submitted medical documentation to the court certifying Mrs. Whitmore's pregnancy."

"Baby," Raymond breathed, stepping toward her with trembling hands. "Clara... if you're carrying my child, we can fix this! We can tear up the divorce papers! You can come back home!"

Clara looked at him, and for the first time, Raymond saw no warmth, no longing, and no forgiveness in her eyes—only a vast, hollow pity.

"I am home, Raymond," Clara replied softly. "And I'm not carrying your child."

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Raymond blinked, confused. "What?"

"I'm carrying three of them."

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