The Officer's Runaway Wife & Secret Son novel Chapter 97

"We were all so jealous of that cop back then."

The guy next to them had clearly had a bit too much to drink and had lost his filter. "Everyone was guessing just how incredible this guy must be to make Clara so devoted. Seeing you today, Rhys, it makes sense. You've definitely got the looks."

Clara smiled faintly. "I was just young and naive back then."

"How can you call that naive?" the young girl shook her head in disagreement. "That's youth! Passionate and brave. It's beautiful."

The group started chattering about old campus gossip from Ashton University. Clara kept smiling and responding politely.

Rhys didn't say much. He just watched her.

Under the bar lights, her profile was striking and vibrant.

Yet, despite being within arm's reach, she exuded a sense of estrangement he couldn't quite place.

The heaviness in his chest grew until he felt a sudden, intense urge to take her away.

Away from this place. Away from these people who knew her past.

"It's getting late." Rhys stood up, his hand clamping down on Clara's shoulder. "We have to get up early for the boat trip tomorrow. We're heading back."

Clara didn't resist. She stood up compliantly.

"Dr. Carter, everyone, have a good night."

Rhys nodded politely, giving Noah no chance to speak, and guided Clara away with his arm around her.

He walked fast. Clara, wearing heels on the wooden boardwalk, stumbled a bit to keep up.

It wasn't until they were far from the bar that Rhys slowed down, though his grip on her shoulder remained tight.

"That hurts," Clara frowned.

Rhys loosened his grip slightly, then asked out of nowhere, "Which trust fund baby was chasing you?"

Clara focused on the path beneath her feet, her tone casual. "I forgot."

"You forgot that?" Rhys didn't quite believe her. "Must not have been that great if he didn't leave an impression."

The jealousy in his tone was faint, almost lost in the night air. But Clara heard it.

Two months ago, when she would have ripped her heart out just to show him, he hadn't bothered to give her a single glance. Now that she was leaving, he was suddenly concerned with ancient history.

Is that just how men are?

"He was actually pretty great," Clara stopped walking, leaning her weight against the railing. "I think he was in real estate. Handsome, drove luxury cars to pick me up every day, asked how I was constantly. He practically worshiped me."

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