Chapter: 254

"I took Riley to buy some new clothes. I saw you sitting here and thought I'd come and 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.

"Iam. 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. At the exact moment, Clara had glanced out the window to look at the children's clothing store. 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 some of 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 some time already.

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 time her words failed her.