The Officer's Runaway Wife & Secret Son novel Chapter 598

Clara's heart skipped a beat for no reason at all.

In the nearly two months since he had gone into the operating room, either he was wearing an oxygen mask or she was wearing a medical mask. To prevent any bacterial infection, they had to be absurdly cautious about even a simple hug, let alone a kiss.

Right now, their son was hyper-focused on his arts and crafts outside the door, while they were sealed inside the quiet, private space of the study.

The man's intoxicating proximity, combined with the heavy, distinctly adult atmosphere hanging in the air, caused Clara's breathing to lose its rhythm.

Rhys's voice dropped a few octaves lower than before. "Clara, close your eyes."

Was he really going to kiss her?

She had done her research; a light peck was perfectly fine.

Without even bothering to think it through, Clara obediently closed her eyes.

In the dark, her hearing became razor-sharp.

She heard the faint rustle of his clothing and caught the lingering, sterile scent of the hospital on him as he leaned in.

She waited quietly for that soft kiss to land.

She didn't feel a warm touch or the press of lips.

Instead, there was the sound of a drawer opening.

Clara was utterly confused.

A drawer?

With this kind of atmosphere... why was he opening a drawer?

What on earth was going through this man's head?

"Alright, open your eyes." His voice carried a distinct trace of amusement.

Clara opened her eyes, feeling a mix of sheer amusement and the faint, stinging disappointment of not being kissed.

Rhys stood in front of her, holding a small jewelry box in his hand.

Nestled inside was a pair of silver rings.

The design was minimalist, featuring exquisitely polished beveled edges, but the size was noticeably smaller than a regular ring.

It wasn't meant for a ring finger, nor a middle finger.

"A thirtieth birthday present," Rhys explained, seeing her stunned expression. "It's almost two months late, but at least the person isn't."

Clara froze.

Over the past few months, her brain had been entirely consumed by his rejection stats, his medication schedules, and anti-infection protocols. Even she had forgotten about the thirtieth birthday that was supposed to involve cakes and gifts.

"This is..."

He pulled his gaze away from their joined hands and let it settle on Clara's face.

He let out a soft chuckle and stepped half a pace closer.

"Earlier..." He deliberately dragged out the word, a rare teasing lilt coloring his tone, "When I told you to close your eyes, what were you thinking?"

Clara's heart skipped a beat.

She blinked rapidly, turning her head to avoid his gaze, and stubbornly replied, "I wasn't thinking anything. I thought you were trying to scare me."

"Is that so?"

He looked at her rosy lips for a second, his Adam's apple bobbing as he called her out in a low voice. "Did you think I was going to kiss you?"

Caught red-handed, Clara flared up in embarrassment. "Don't flatter yourself, Rhys Huntington. You're a critical care patient. The doctors said to strictly prevent infections, who would want to kiss..."

Before she could finish, Rhys lowered his head and rubbed his nose gently against hers.

In the impossibly close space, their breaths tangled together.

"I want to kiss you, but I can't right now."

But it didn't matter.

He finally had all the time in the world.