The Officer's Runaway Wife & Secret Son novel Chapter 173

Simon cursed under his breath, "Is he still living five years in the past? He doesn't even know you can't stomach this stuff anymore. What kind of self-righteous performance is this?"

Clara thought to herself, "Exactly, he doesn't know."

He only remembered the Clara of the past, and even those memories were likely distorted.

Clara shrugged. "The caramel pudding is innocent. You eat it. Didn't you say the spicy chicken was too hot just now?"

Simon looked disgusted. "Take it away. Eating that bad luck charm would shorten my lifespan. Let's go."

The two walked out of the restaurant. Rhys was still standing by the curb.

Seeing Clara come out, he hesitated for a moment before walking over.

He had seen it clearly—she hadn't even touched the spoon before pushing the caramel pudding away.

It was clearly her favorite thing before. Now, she wouldn't even give it a second glance.

"You didn't want it?" He took two steps to catch up, stopping in front of Clara, probing carefully. "If you'd prefer the Swiss Rolls from R's Bakery..."

"Rhys, we've already signed the divorce application."

Clara glanced at him, cutting him off. "What I want to eat now, or what I don't want to eat, has nothing to do with you."

Rhys was silenced. After a pause, he explained in a low voice:

"I didn't mean anything by it. I just remembered you used to like them."

"Used to", again.

"I used to like running after you, too. Now I find that pretty boring, don't I?"

Clara said flatly, "People's tastes change. Looking at that thing now makes me nauseous. The smell makes me want to vomit."

Rhys's gaze dropped, and his throat went tight.

"...Understood. I won't buy it next time."

Clara ignored him and tugged at Simon. "Let's go."

Simon rolled his eyes at Rhys before ushering Clara into the car.

As the car door slammed shut, Rhys watched Clara buckle her seatbelt without glancing out the window even once.

Simon got angry just thinking about Rhys's expression earlier.

"Going home?"

Clara shook her head. "I don't want to go back yet. Let's go sit by the river for a bit. I need fresh air."

They parked at Riverside Drive.

The midday sun was bright, casting fragmented gold over the river surface. Occasionally, gulls skimmed over the water.

Although it was early spring and the wind still carried a chill, the sunlight felt comfortable.

Clara got out of the car and took a deep breath.

The baby finally seemed to give her a break, easing up on the constant misery. Clara finally had the energy to relax.

They found a bench and sat down.

Simon grabbed two bottles of water from the trunk, twisted one open, and handed it to Clara. "What do you think goes on in his head? Back when you were begging him for a single glance, he played blind. Now that you're divorcing, he starts acting the part of the devoted husband?"

Clara said, "He's not acting. In his eyes, I only became this way because I lost the child."