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?"

She had to admit, his time management skills were impressive.

What was she still fighting for? What was she expecting?

If someone doesn't love you, even if you died in front of them, they'd probably just frown and complain that you dirtied their floor.

"Rhys, stop the car."

She said coldly, "I want to get out."

Rhys glanced at her. Instead of stopping, he stepped on the gas, and the speed climbed.

"We'll talk at home."

Clara looked at the traffic light turning green at the intersection ahead and laughed.

She unbuckled her seatbelt, and under his shocked gaze, reached out and pulled the door handle.

Skreeeech—

The piercing sound of brakes tore through the night sky.

The car came to a halt right in the middle of the intersection, horns blaring from all directions.

Rhys grabbed her hand, pinned her back into the seat, and roared at her, "Are you crazy?!"

Clara looked at his face, a mix of shock and rage, and felt much better.

Making him lose control and feel afraid, even if only for a second, was worth it to her.