The Officer's Runaway Wife & Secret Son novel Chapter 84

"I will return."

As Rhys spoke, he reached for his coat on the back of the sofa.

Margot stood up as well, her eyes red. "Aunt Mia, don't blame Rhys. It's my fault; I shouldn't have come."

She tugged at his sleeve. "Since Mia is angry, don't drive me. I'm not afraid of slippery roads. Let Carrol drive me. Don't fight because of me."

Their back-and-forth made Mia and Clara look like the ones being difficult.

Clara smiled. "No need for the trouble."

"Since you're so worried, you should go the whole nine yards. Don't come back; the bed is more spacious with just me in it."

She turned to Mia. "Aunt Mia, I'm tired, so I'll go up to rest. You and Grandfather should sleep early too."

She walked away cleanly, without leaving even a peripheral glance for the pair.

Rhys stood frozen, watching her back disappear around the corner of the stairs, his irritation growing.

He turned to Margot, his tone losing its earlier warmth. "Fine. I'll have Carrol's car wait at the door to take you back."

Margot was stunned, her eyes widening in disbelief. "Rhys, you're not driving me?"

"Aunt Mia is right. The snow is heavy and the roads are slippery." Rhys handed her bag to the butler. "Carrol is an experienced driver, steadier than me. I'll have him prepare a blanket for you in the car. Text me when you arrive."

Margot wanted to say more. "But..."

Rhys cut her off. "Go on now."

With that, he tossed his coat back onto the sofa, ignoring Margot's expression, and headed straight for the stairs.

Mia hummed with satisfaction. He wasn't completely stupid, at least.

Clara returned to the bedroom and walked to the window.

Rhys tightened his grip on her arms. "I've already sent her away. I'm not going anywhere tonight; I'm just staying with you. Isn't that enough?"

Clara lowered her eyelids, looking at the hand across her waist. These hands had pushed her away countless times when she needed him most, yet now they held her so tightly, as if afraid she would run.

"It's enough," Clara said faintly. "Captain Huntington is selfless and self-sacrificing. What could I possibly be dissatisfied with?"

Rhys didn't want to fight. He turned her around to face him.

"Go take a shower. You smell like smoke and fireworks."

Clara pushed his hands away and turned toward the bathroom. "You go use the guest bath. You smell like someone else's perfume."

Rhys paused, bowing his head to sniff his cuff. Actually, there was no scent—Margot hadn't worn perfume today, only a faint medicinal smell clung to her. But he didn't argue. He watched Clara walk into the bathroom, his eyes darkening.

He sat on the edge of the bed for a moment before getting up to go to the outer bathroom.