The Heir Trap

Before I could even process what was happening, my husband's aunt hurried over with a wide smile and grabbed my hand.

"Clara, it's your special day today. Good luck!"

Another relative stepped in beside her. "Exactly. Have a son for the Strouds, and you'll be set in this family."

An uncle lingered by the doorway, his eyes sliding over me in a way that made my skin crawl. Then, he broke into a grin.

"Clara, where we're from, we have to stir things up a little on the wedding night."

As he spoke, his gaze dropped straight to my chest.

A chill ran through me, and I instinctively took a step back.

When I married Malcolm, I had been worried about this kind of thing, so I didn't invite these relatives to the wedding.

This time, Nora had brought them here on purpose.

"Come on, let's have some fun!" the men called out.

Before I could react, several hands reached from behind and grabbed my waist.

"She's got a great figure. Look at those curves!"

"With hips like that, she'll have no trouble having kids. Eight sons, easy."

They closed in around me, trapping me in place. Sweat broke out across my back as their hands moved over me, rough and uninvited.

"Alright, that's enough!" Nora stepped in and pushed them away. "Don't overdo it. We've got business to handle."

She threw a piece of white veil over my head. It looked like it had been cut from an old sheet, and it carried a faint, unpleasant smell.

"Now you look like a bride."

Before I could see anything, she shoved me into Vincent's room.

"Vincent's weak, so you need to take the lead. Move a little, understand? Put some effort into it. Take care of him properly. Try to get pregnant in one go."

The door slammed shut behind me.

I pulled the veil off my head and saw Vincent sitting on the bed, his head lowered, not daring to look at me.

I glanced at the clock on the wall. In three minutes, Mandy would be here.

"Clara…" he said quietly. "Why aren't we starting? Mom said you should take the lead. Hurry up, or we won't be able to explain to everyone."

I didn't answer. My eyes stayed on the clock.

Vincent grew anxious. "She's listening outside the door…"

Right on cue, Nora's voice came through from the hallway. "Clara, what are you doing? Don't mess this up, or you'll answer to me!"

I ignored her. Thirty seconds left.

"Clara…" Vincent's face flushed red. "Please…"

The moment he finished speaking, loud banging erupted at the front door. Then, a woman's sharp voice cut through the house.

"Quinton, I'm pregnant with your baby! We're settling this today!"

The room outside went silent.

Then the relatives started whispering all at once.

"Quinton? Isn't that Nora's husband?"

"Who would've thought? He looks so put-together, but behind closed doors…"

Nora's voice shot up. "That's ridiculous! My husband would never…!"

I opened the door and walked straight into the living room.

Standing in the center, I pointed at Mandy's swollen belly and looked at Nora.

"Didn't you say the Strouds need an heir? Isn't that baby in her exactly what you wanted?"