NovelEnglish"Of course," Clara lied, looking directly into Roger's suspicious eyes.She casually pursed her lips and said, "I just want to go to
the restroom.Wait here with Riley."
"Alright," Roger said with a nod.
Clara smiled warmly at him.
"I won't be long.Don't give Riley anymore candy while I'm gone; wait forto get back."
She looked between the two of them again then left the children's clothing shop.
As she exited the store, she unconsciously quickened her pace.She hurried over to the cafe where she'd previously seen
Rachel.
Rachel was still there.
She was currently drinking a glass of fresh orange juice and checking the weather on her phone.
According to the forecast, it was supposed to stop raining soon.
Finally, she'd be able to continue with her shopping.
Once she'd finished her juice, she set the glass down on the table and gathered her things.
She picked up her shopping bags, and was about to leave the cafe when she noticed a very familiar woman approaching her.
She squinted at her, trying to remember who she was... Then she raised her eyebrows and said in surprise, "Dr.Jimenez?"
"Miss Bennet, it's nice to see you again,"
Clara greeted her.
Rachel smiled at her.
"I didn't expect to see you here.But it doesn't look like you're here to sit down and have a coffee."
Clara had left her bag and phone with Roger.
It was rather obvious she hadn't chere to buy anything.
"Miss Bennet, you're so observant,"
Clara smiled sweetly and looked down at all the bags in Rachel's hands.
"I took Riley to buy snew clothes.I saw you sitting here and thought I'd cand say hello."
She narrowed her eyes and tipped her head towards Rachel's bags.
"Are you shopping alone, Miss Bennet?"
"Sort of," Rachel replied with a blink.
"Are you...Are you leaving now?" Clara asked, starting to sound a little more concerned.
"I am.I've got something else I have to buy at another store," Rachel said with a nod of affirmation.
"I see."
The tense expression on Clara's face visibly relaxed.
It was so obvious that Rachel noticed her change in demeanor almost immediately.
This only made Rachel more suspicious.
"Dr.Jimenez, is there something wrong?"
Rachel asked casually, pretending that it was nothing more than a friendly question.
"No.What could be wrong?"
Clara blinked and changed the subject, "Miss Bennet, you are carrying so many things.It's not convenient for you to hold them all
by yourself, especially you are pregnant now.I could ask my driver take to you to your next destination."
This only made Rachel even more suspicious that Clara was hiding something from her.
She narrowed her eyes slightly, but not enough for Clara to see.
But she needn't have worried.
She could see it from where she was standing.
Clara tilted her head a little to get a better view, and was able to see Roger and Riley inside.
Roger was carrying Riley now, and was patiently standing listening to the saleslady talk.
When Rachel didn't answer, Clara shook her head and smiled warmly at her.
"I'm sorry.That was a little out of bounds.I won't be offended if you decline, I thought it would help-"
"It's actually not a bad idea at all.Thank you Dr.Jimenez, I really appreciate it," Rachel replied with a smile.
She had no idea why Clara was so eager to know where she was going, and when she'd be leaving the cafe, but she trusted
Clara enough to know she wouldn't hurt her.
Clara had saved her life once, after all.
"It's my greatest pleasure," Clara said and took sof Rachel's bags to help her carry.
She turned and accompanied Rachel downstairs.
The two of them didn't speak much on their walk.
They were each lost in their own thoughts Clara and Rachel silently reached the gates of the shopping mall, where Clara's driver
had been waiting for her for stalready.
Clara fussed over Rachel.
She insisted on helping her get all her bags in the car, and making sure she was settled.
Only once the car had pulled into the road and rejoined the traffic did she finally breathe a sigh of relief.
She closed her eyes for a moment, allowing her thoughts to overwhelm her before she raised her head.
She opened her eyes again and turned to head back to the clothing shop.
"Mommy!"
Riley's sweet voice reached her ears the moment she turned around.
Clara's heart thudded nervously against her ribs and her eyes widened in astonishment.
Rodger was standing behind her, holding Riley in his arms.
He'd seen everything.
Clara could do nothing but stare at them for a long while.
She tried multiple times to say something, but every ther words failed her.
Finally, she managed to say, "Roger, ..."
In Apliaria, in one of the most famous and wealthy neighborhoods, was the Jimenez Mansion.
The maid bowed respectfully to Cynthia and Clara as she said, "Mr.Jimenez has said that the two of you should eat without
him.He said he has work to do and won't be joining."
The maid straightened up to glance quickly around the dining room.
"What is wrong with this man, honestly,"
Cynthia Jimenez said in irritation as she put her spoon down.
"Food is such an important part of staying healthy.If he keeps skipping meals because of work, his stomach is going to suffer.I'll
go and talk to him."
She stood up, clicking her tongue disapprovingly.
Clara quickly shot to her feet when she saw Cynthia was going to Roger.
She managed to keep the dark expression off her face as she said, "Letgo talk to him, Mom.I think he's got jet lag.It's
perfectly normal for him to have no appetite."
"I don't care if he's jet lagged.He can't eat nothing.If he refuses to chere and eat with us, you can bring his food to his room,"
Cynthia said stubbornly.
Clara smiled and nodded.
"Alright, Mom.Just don't worry about him too much.You know he's a workaholic."
"I know that all too well.I don't see why he can't put his work aside for a bit now that he'd back.He needs a break.I also remember
him saying something about resigning from his job in America.What on earth could he possibly be so busy with in that case?"
Clara looked up from speaking to the servant when she heard what Cynthia said.
She'd been asking the servant to prepare a plate of food for Roger, but now she was smiling in embarrassment at her mother.
"He's going to report back to the company here in a few days.I think he wants to be well prepared."
Cynthia sighed dramatically and shook her head.
"I wish he'd put as much effort into finding a girlfriend and getting married as he does into work.I'm tired of worrying about
him.He's makingold before my time."
Clara laughed softly at her mother.She walked closer to her and laid a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"I don't think you should worry so much about him.Roger is something special.There are many girls out there who have a
massive crush on him.Marriage shouldn't be a problem.If a man like Roger can't find a girlfriend, what hope do those male
colleagues of mine have? They won't stand a chance."
"But how can I not worry about him? I know you said there are many girls who have a crush on him, but the problem is that he
doesn't like any of them.Most people his age are already married with kids.But just look at your brother.He doesn't even have a
girlfriend."
The more Cynthia spoke, the more evident her worry for her son became.
"I mean, Victor and Roger are the sage! Victor has already been married and gotten divorced."
Clara squeezed her mother's shoulder gently.She drew a breath to speak, hesitated, and slowly said, "Mother, there is no need
to rush into marriage.Just be patient, things will all work out in the end."
"You always were good at defending your brother," Cynthia said with another heavy sigh.
Then she glanced lovingly at her daughter and said with a small smile.
"I have a feeling that Roger won't be getting married any tsoon.He's too busy with his own things... But what about you?"
"Me?"
Clara couldn't keep the surprise out of her voice.
They'd just been talking about Roger, and now somehow she'd becthe topic of conversation.
"What about me?"
"When are you going to have another baby?" Cynthia asked with a smile.
Clara took the plate of food from the servant when it was brought over.She shook her head slowly, tapping her fingers against
the plate.
"Riley is only a year old.I'm already so busy with taking care of her on my own.And you know how busy work is..."
"Okay, Okay.You've made your point.You and Roger are always so busy.When he was abroad I didn't even bother asking him to
rest.I knew he wouldn't listen toand I'd just be wasting my breath.Especially because I only got to see him a few times a
year.And you? You work right here in Apliaria but I barely see you either! Every tI want to see you, or invite you over to dine
with me, you always tellyou're busy with work."
Cynthia snorted indignantly.
"You're a lady from a distinguished family, yet you insist on being a surgeon.Do you really think I won't be able to support you?
You go into work every day to wield scalpels and needles and other horrible looking things.You have to see death, and blood and
gore... I really don't think that type of lifestyle is good for a lady."
Clara stayed silent for the moment.
What was she supposed to say? Every tshe chto see her mother, it was always the slecture.
In response, she just smiled and murmured, "I know", and "You're right".
Before her mother could start off on another tangent, Clara quickly said, "Mom, lettake this food up to Roger and convince
him to cdown.Then you can lecture us both.How does that sound?"
"Off you go then," Cynthia said and waved her hand dismissively.
Clara nodded and hurried upstairs to Roger's room before her mother could say anything else.
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