The Officer's Runaway Wife & Secret Son novel Chapter 75

Clara pushed the cart forward. "Right. One for the wife, one for the stepsister. How perfect."

Rhys heard the subtext in her words. "It's just a box of strawberries. What are you thinking now?"

"Nothing. Buy them. Buy it all. Captain Huntington has plenty of money anyway; buying two portions won't hurt your wallet."

He also grabbed some fruit and a bottle of wine for Veronica.

At checkout, he had the cashier bag one box of strawberries separately.

Clara waited for him at the exit, watching him carry that special box of strawberries in its own bag, afraid it might get crushed.

Back in the car, Rhys said, "Let's drop the stuff off at my mom's first."

"I thought you said we weren't going back there?"

Rhys sighed helplessly. "We're not staying for Christmas. I'll just drop it at the door and leave. If you don't want to go in, just wait in the car."

Clara glanced at him. "Is this worth sighing over? Am I making things difficult for you?"

"I just think there's no need to make the relationship so rigid."

"Your mother started it."

Rhys didn't respond.

When they arrived at the Johnson family residence, Rhys stood by the car door, looking down at the passenger seat.

"You're really not going in?"

Clara pulled the hood of her down jacket over her head, covering half her face. "I'm not going in to be annoying."

"It's cold out. Wait inside the car," Rhys instructed, not forcing the issue. "I'll drop the things off and come right out. It'll be quick."

He walked away carrying the bags.

Clara watched his retreating figure and sneered.

Why walk so fast? Was he afraid the strawberries would freeze, or afraid the person inside was waiting anxiously?

...

Seeing Rhys enter, Margot's eyes lit up. She put down her teacup and tried to stand.

"Rhys!"

"No," Rhys rejected flatly.

"Why not? Margot hasn't fully recovered yet. The doctor said she needs to keep her spirits up. How can she spend Christmas without anyone to talk to?"

"I can hire a caretaker for her, or send her to a convalescent home for a couple of days."

"Send her to a home on Christmas? Rhys, say that again?"

"Clara will..."

"What about Clara?" Veronica was relentless. "She's the hostess. Will having one extra person eating tire her out?"

Veronica raised her voice. "You watched Margot grow up. If it weren't for you back then, she..."

"Mom!"

Margot lowered her head, her voice choking up. "Don't force Rhys. Clara doesn't like me; me going there will only make them fight. I'll be fine alone at home. I got used to it abroad anyway..."

"Listen to that!" Veronica was furious. "Rhys, how were you raised? Now that you're married and established, do you have the heart to watch your sister spend Christmas all alone?"

Rhys fell silent for a long time, his gaze drifting past the window to the SUV parked in the darkness outside.