The Officer's Runaway Wife & Secret Son novel Chapter 49

Rhys shot her a glance. "As long as you like it."

Margot lowered her eyes and whispered, "True. Clara can pull off such a rich style. Unlike me... I've been frail since childhood. Wearing heavy jewelry makes my wrist ache. I can only wear delicate, light things."

As she spoke, she lifted her hand slightly. Conveniently revealing that bracelet.

Clara glanced at it and let out a laugh. "True. You're frail. You honestly only deserve those flimsy toys. A massive stone like this requires a certain stature to carry. You couldn't handle the burden."

"Don't lose heart, though. If you can't handle it, toughen up. But really, it's fate. If it's yours, you'll have it. If it's not..." She drew out the syllable, eyeing Margot's pale wrist, and sneered, "Then no matter how much you scramble for it, it won't belong to you."

Margot's face stiffened. She quickly covered the bracelet with her sleeve and looked timidly at Rhys. "I didn't mean it that way..."

Just as Rhys was about to speak, Mia, who had been watching the show, laughed out loud.

"Clara is right. When our family choose a wife for Rhys, we look for presence and grandeur. Those petty little trinkets are fine for playing around, but for real occasions, you need something that commands the room."

Of Justin's three children, Mia was the eldest. Her words carried weight second only to the old man. By speaking up, she had effectively backed Clara.

Margot bit her lip, genuinely afraid to make a sound now.

Rhys looked at his aunt, then at the nonchalant Clara, his headache intensifying. "Auntie, Margot just made a casual comment. She didn't mean anything by it."

"I didn't mean anything either," Mia said. "Just reminding some young people not to stare at other people's jewelry. Knowing your place is what's most important."

The atmosphere froze.

Old Mr. Huntington huffed. "I expect peace in this house. The ring is bought, so give it a rest. It is entirely undignified to spend all day fighting over mere trinkets"

His words were a slap for everyone. But to Clara, it felt directed at her. He thought she was noisy, thought she was restless.

...

Rhys and Liam talked for half an hour, but Rhys was distracted. He kept glancing at the stairs, which remained silent.

"Can't focus?" Liam took off his glasses and wiped them, implying, "Since you're worried, go up and look. Women need to be coaxed. With Clara's personality, she yields to softness, but resists force."

Rhys frowned. "I did coax her. I bought the ring, I said the words. How else am I supposed to coax her?"

Liam chuckled. "You call that coaxing? It's a miracle Clara tolerates you. If it were me, I would have divorced you long ago."

Rhys pressed his lips together, stood up, and strode upstairs. When he reached the bedroom door, he tried the handle. It was locked.

Rhys frowned tight.