Chapter 76

Clara walked into the room, feeling a bit lost, not knowing how to break the ice.

But she spilt the beans to Emmett anyway.

… I need to take some time off.

Time off?” Emmett raised an eyebrow. “What’s up? Is it something to do with Aiden?”

“No, no! My son got a bit banged up. I’ve got to sort it out!”

Emmett looked at her, eyed her for a while, then offered. Want me to tag along?”

“No need, no need! It might get a bit awkward if you drop in..”

I’m bound to meet your son sooner or later, as his stepdad, maybe the sooner the better for him to accept me”

Clara was taken aback, “Aren’t we just a couple in name? I don’t think meeting is necessary! He’s still a kid, he won’t understand all this stuff! When he finds out the truth, he might have a hard time dealing with it.”

“Why do you keep bringing up the marriage in name?”

“Haven’t we agreed to forget about the marriage in–name thing?” Emmett closed in on her, “Are you trying to draw a line between us now?”

“Mr. Melendez, you… don’t get too close! It makes me uncomfortable.” Clara, cornered, blurted out.

But Emmett just lifted her chin, forcing her to look at him.

“Clara, are you really clueless, or just pretending to be? Why do I get the feeling that you’re playing dumb?”

“What are you talking about, I don’t get it! I just want to take a leave to see my son! Don’t worry, I’ll be back. But my son is hurt, pretty badly. I have to go!”

“Is that so?”

“Do you think I would pull a stunt like this? I don’t have time for that! I just want to see my kid, Mr Melendez, it’s a normal thing!”

Emmett frowned, “You can go, I’ll go with you.”

“It’s really not convenient! My son is afraid of strangers! And I don’t know how to introduce you! We are going to his biological father’s place, it’s really not appropriate to bring you along! I’ll only be gone for a few days, it won’t take long.”

“Clara, why are you scared to face me?” Emmett narrowed his eyes, “I get the feeling you’re hiding something from me.”

Clara immediately shook off his hand and dashed to the door, ‘Mr. Melendez, you, you’re overthinking!

How could I possibly have something to hide from you? Even though we’re contractually married, I did marry you, but… I still need my own space! I need to see my son.”

“I’m not stopping you”

“But I can’t take you with me! I’m sorry, Mr Melendez.”

Emmett took a deep breath, giving up on the insistence.

After a few minutes of silence, Emmett said, “You can only be away for five days at most, otherwise there’s no one to handle the company’s affairs.”

“Alright! Don’t worry, I’ll be back as soon as possible. As soon as my son’s condition stabilizes, I’ll return.”

“Okay”

Emmett ended the conversation and walked away.

That’s when Clara let out a sigh of relief.

She was really spooked!

She thought Emmett had found something out.

Luckily…

Europe, the Milburn family Fresh from the hospital, Alex was already thinking about how to play cupid for Elio and his mom.