The Officer's Runaway Wife & Secret Son novel Chapter 53

Passing by the pediatric outpatient clinic, a mother pushed a stroller past her. The little pink bundle in the stroller waved its babbling hands.

Clara stared at those chubby little arms, her mind wandering.

If she had a child...

Clara shut that thought down before it could take root.

"Waaaah, I want a balloon..."

"Stop! Don't run!"

A little boy in a down jacket rushed out, not watching where he was going at all, and crashed headfirst into Clara's legs.

Clara was already feeling lightheaded. The impact caused her high heels to twist, and she uncontrollably fell backward.

A hand steadied her back firmly, while another hand lightly supported her elbow.

It maintained distance while giving her enough support.

"Careful."

The man's voice came from above—warm and clean.

Still shaken, Clara regained her footing and looked up.

She was met with a refined, handsome face. White coat, cashmere sweater, the epitome of scholarly elegance.

His badge read: Director of Pediatrics, Noah Carter.

Clara withdrew her hand and took a half-step back. "Thank you."

Noah let go and looked down at her. "You look pale. Low blood sugar?"

"I'm fine. Thank you, Doctor."

The boy who had crashed into her was grabbed by his mother, looking over with teary eyes.

"Apologize to the lady, quickly!" The parent pressed the child's head down.

"Sorry, ma'am..."

Clara didn't want to make a fuss with a child and shook her head. "It's okay."

Noah took a lollipop from his pocket, crouched down, and handed it to the little boy.

"Run slower next time. Not only will you hurt yourself, but you'll also hit the pretty lady, and she'll hurt too."

The parent thanked him and apologized repeatedly before dragging the child away.

Noah stood up and took out another candy, offering it to Clara.

"Have one? It raises blood sugar quickly."

Clara looked at the candy and frowned. "I don't eat candy."

She didn't want to linger in a place like a hospital, so she turned to leave, but Noah called out to her from behind.

"Clara."

Clara looked back. "...You know me?"

Clara sat on the bench for a while to recover before sending a message to Simon:

[I want to eat something hot.]

***

"Whoa!"

Simon was blinded the moment he saw Clara, exaggeratingly clutching his chest.

"Th-this... Did Rhys rob a bank? That diamond is massive—five carats, easy. Quick, pass me some sunglasses! My peasant eyes are used to seeing trash—I'm going blind"

Alex had come along too, dutifully pulling out a chair for Clara and exclaiming, "It's so sparkly, Clara."

"5.5 carats, 3.88 million."

Clara sat down and spread her hand on the table.

"This is my labor fee for providing him emotional value early in the morning, plus tolerating that bitch of his."

Simon clicked his tongue. "Not bad, Clara. You've grown up. Before, if Rhys bought you a bag, you'd feel bad for days, saying it wasn't easy for him to make money standing in the wind and rain. What now? Did you figure it out? Trying to make up for the deficit of the last few years?"

"His salary isn't easy to earn, but the dividends from the Huntington family are very easy. With such a huge income every year, if I don't make up for it, who am I saving it for?"

Clara wiped her hands with a hot towel, her expression indifferent. "Saving it for Margot's year-end bonus?"

Simon gave a thumbs up. "Enlightened."

"I told you ages ago, a man's heart is where his money is. Even if Rhys's heart grew crooked, at least you can scoop up some money. No loss."