The Officer's Runaway Wife & Secret Son novel Chapter 20

Rhys ignored her, carrying her with long strides toward the elevator.

A neighbor heard the noise and poked their head out, but upon meeting Rhys's murderous glare, they quickly slammed the door shut.

It was so humiliating.

Clara covered her face, kicking her legs.

Rhys actually spanked her.

It wasn't hard, but the insult was heavy.

Clara froze.

Rhys's deep, impatient voice drifted up, just like countless times in the past.

"You want to keep moving?"

He carried her, expressionless, and pressed the elevator button.

Clara lay on his shoulder, her eyes hot, wanting to cry from the grievance.

She remembered her senior year, at the graduation party. She had drunk too much, and he had carried her out of the karaoke bar just like this.

But back then, he was so careful, one hand supporting her back, the other protecting her head, terrified of bumping or dropping her.

He kept cooing, "Princess, can you please settle down?"

And now?

He was getting aggressive.

Clara stopped struggling, letting him carry her downstairs like a sack of potatoes and stuff her into the passenger seat.

The doors locked. After driving a distance, Rhys finally spoke.

"Why didn't you answer the phone?"

Getting no response, he added, "I've been looking for you for two days."

There was actually a hint of grievance in his tone.

Clara retorted, "Answer to hear what? How you waited on your precious sister hand and foot?"

"Margot is..."

"Shut up!" Clara snapped her head around, yelling at him. "I don't want to hear that name!"

Rhys was stunned by her yell, pressed his lips together, and fell silent.

A long time passed before he spoke again, his voice softer. "I'm sorry. My mom hit you; I should have..."

"You should have held onto your sister tight. Otherwise, if she fell, your mom would have been heartbroken."

Clara finished the sentence for him.

"Clara, I..."

"Rhys." Clara interrupted him. "When I got slapped, what were you thinking?"

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