The Officer's Runaway Wife & Secret Son novel Chapter 161

The dinner party didn't break up until late into the night.

After Simon Walker was forcibly dragged away by Emily Lane, only Clara Bridges and Noah Carter remained in the apartment. Before Clara could even move to clear the table, Noah had already rolled up his sleeves and taken position by the sink. Clara tried to step in, but he blocked her path.

"Go sit down. The smell of leftovers is strong; it'll make you nauseous."

Clara protested that she wasn't that delicate, but Noah shut her down with his professional doctor's authority. She pulled her hands back, defeated, and leaned against the kitchen doorframe, watching his back as he busied himself at the sink.

"Dr. Carter."

"Hm?"

"Why are you helping me?"

It was a question she had been holding back for a long time. Noah wasn't just any doctor; he was the star pediatrician at Brighton City General Hospital with a brilliant future ahead of him. Helping a patient forge medical records and deceive family members was a massive risk. If this blew up, it would be a permanent stain on his career. Although he had assured her he could handle it, the guilt gnawed at her.

Noah turned off the tap, dried his hands, and walked over to her. He looked down, his gaze resting gently on her lower abdomen.

"Clara, I'm a pediatrician."

"I know."

"And the thing a pediatrician hates seeing most is a life meant for this world never getting a chance to live because of the stupidity of adults."

He raised a hand and lightly ruffled the top of her hair. "Don't feel burdened. Just think of it as an investment so that one day, I can hear this kid call me 'Godfather'."

Clara paused, her hand instinctively touching her stomach. "You might have to wait a long time for that."

Noah lowered his eyes, a smile spreading through them. "It doesn't matter. I have all the time in the world."

-

It was the tenth day of the cooling-off period.

Spring had technically arrived in Brighton City, but the late-season chill was still biting. Clara's morning sickness had eased slightly, though the smell of grease still turned her stomach. Her mother visited every few days, but otherwise, her three daily meals were essentially managed by Noah.

Clara paused, scrolling back through the donation list. Aside from Simon's flashy accounts, there were a few unfamiliar IDs that had dropped significant amounts without saying a word.

"Which one is you? User 8892?"

"Secret."

Clara laughed, exasperated. "The platform takes a commission, you know. You're just giving them free money."

"It's fine." Noah handed her a glass of warm milk. "Drink this and get some sleep. You have your first official prenatal checkup tomorrow to set up your file. Don't forget."

Clara nodded.

The next day, Clara took a taxi to Mercyvale Private Hospital. It was her first time going for a serious checkup alone, to hear that little life's heartbeat. She was understandably nervous.

Brighton City's morning rush hour was brutal, and the sound of sirens began to wail from the intersection ahead. several police motorcycles sped past, followed by a patrol cruiser. It was a vehicle from the Traffic Division.

There seemed to be an accident up ahead; traffic had come to a complete standstill.