The Officer's Runaway Wife & Secret Son novel Chapter 118

Clara stared blankly at the ceiling as tears slid down her face.

It wasn't a stomach ache after all.

It was hers and Rhys’s child.

It was the baby she had hoped for, prayed for over the last two years, the one she thought she'd never have.

If she had known earlier, she would have run to tell him: *Look, we’re having a baby. Can we start over?*

But why now?

If Rhys found out...

Clara closed her eyes, Rhys’s cold, rational face filling her mind.

He was a man driven entirely by excessive duty.

If he knew she was pregnant, there was absolutely no way the divorce would happen.

He would trap her in Riverside Court with his endless logic and principles.

He would ensure Margot was involved in the child’s upbringing, telling the child, "This is your Ms. Margot."

The thought of Margot holding her baby, looking at her with those innocent, pitiful eyes, made Clara physically nauseous.

*Click.* The hospital room door opened.

Noah walked in holding a clipboard. When he looked at Clara, his eyes softened.

He walked to the bedside, checked Clara’s temperature with the back of his hand, and glanced at the monitor data.

"How are you feeling?"

"Much better. Thank you."

Noah shook his head. "Don't thank me. The baby is strong, just like you."

He added, "Clara, you're anemic and your stress levels are high. Saving the pregnancy this time was a miracle, but no one can guarantee the next time. You need absolute bed rest."

Clara was silent for a moment before looking up at the two of them.

"Can you do me a favor?"

Emily, who was about to grab another apple to practice on, paused. "What favor?"

"Don't tell Rhys the baby is still here. Tell him... tell him I miscarried."

Noah’s hand froze on the medical chart.

Emily’s eyes widened. "Are you insane? He's the father. You're not going to tell him?"

Noah frowned as well. "Clara, that’s against protocol. Doctors have an obligation to inform family members of the true medical condition. Besides, hiding something this big... if complications arise later..."

Her voice triggered him. Simon let out a wail that startled a passing nurse.

"Miss Lane! Clara... is she... is she alive?"

"...She's more alive than you. Go in. Don't let her see you looking like such a wimp."

Just as Simon stood up, a tall, imposing figure stormed in through the ER entrance.

Rhys grabbed a nurse. "Where is the patient Clara, who was just brought in by ambulance?"

The nurse pointed. "Observation Room, over there."

Rhys let go and strode rapidly in that direction.

Before he could reach the door, Simon stepped in his path.

Gone was Simon’s usual playful grin. He stared at Rhys with cold hostility.

"Move."

Rhys wasn't in the mood for nonsense. He reached out to push past him.

A dull thud followed.

Without a word, Simon pulled back his fist and punched Rhys square in the face.