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16 Layson’s Strange Behavior
Last Updated:
2025-03-03 14:48:07
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Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 17 The Lunchroom Incident
After Layson left to shower, Adela sat frozen on the couch, his words still ringing in her ears.“Not tonight. Go sleep in the next room.”She blinked, trying to make sense of it. Why had he asked her here at all? What was the point?The sound of water running in the bathroom snapped her out of her thoughts. Her cheeks burned, perhaps from the wine, or maybe from the confusion swirling in her mind. She got up, stretching stiff legs, and walked toward the room Layson had mentioned.Opening the door, a cool breeze greeted her. The room’s window was slightly ajar, allowing the crisp night air to seep in. Adela welcomed the relief, stepping over to close the window. The room was minimally furnished but tidy, with an inviting bed waiting in the corner. She sighed, shaking her head.“What’s gotten into him today?” she murmured to herself, slipping under the covers.The following morning, Adela woke early. She had to head to work at Walton Enterprises and didn’t want to be late. Grabbing her
Last Updated : 2025-03-03Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 18 Being Watched
Adela had grown accustomed to the whispers and pointed glances at Walton Enterprises. She tried to brush them off, telling herself it didn’t matter, but the persistent undercurrent of judgment still stung. To avoid further scrutiny, she kept her head down and focused on her work, even if the sting of isolation lingered in her heart.After a long day, Adela gathered her things and prepared to leave the office. Since her last encounter with Layson, he’d had Barnes arrange an apartment for her and Herbie near Walton Enterprises, as well as enroll Herbie in a nearby preschool. Adela was grateful for the support, though she hadn’t yet had the chance to thank Layson personally—he’d been elusive.As she left the building, she hesitated, contemplating calling Barnes to find out where Layson might be. When the call connected, she heard Barnes’s ever-professional voice on the other end.“Adela, how can I help you?”Adela hesitated, her grip tightening on the phone. Asking about Layson felt too
Last Updated : 2025-03-03Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 19 Pregnancy
Adela carried the food tray to the table, her eyes scanning the play area where Herbie was happily sliding down. She waved at her sister, her voice soft but commanding.“Herbie, come over and eat first before going back to play.”Herbie, her small frame radiating energy, bounded toward her with an infectious grin. She was sweaty, her hair sticking to her forehead in damp strands. Adela couldn’t help but smile at her enthusiasm, even as she reached for a napkin.“Look at you, all sweaty. Go wash your hands first,” she said with a mix of exasperation and affection.From a table nearby, Evelyn observed Adela. She had chosen a seat diagonally across, curious yet conflicted. There was something about Adela’s face—a vague familiarity Evelyn couldn’t place. She toyed with her untouched burger, her mind flipping through faces from her past like a Rolodex.Herbie returned, her small hands freshly washed. Adela opened the burger wrapper and handed it to her. As the aroma of the food hit her, Ad
Last Updated : 2025-03-03Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 20 Taking Care of You
After what felt like an eternity of waiting, the test results finally came in. The report confirmed it: Adela was three weeks pregnant. Layson held the paper, scanning it carefully, his expression unreadable.“How’s the baby?” he asked the doctor, his voice calm yet firm.“The baby is healthy. Nothing to worry about at this stage,” the doctor reassured him. Then, turning to Adela, she rattled off a long list of precautions, some of which were so personal that Adela’s face turned bright red.Assuming the two were a married couple, the doctor included Layson in the conversation, urging him to ensure Adela was well cared for. “You must look after your wife properly,” she emphasized, unaware of their unique arrangement.Layson, however, remained composed, responding to the doctor’s instructions with polite but detached efficiency. Adela, on the other hand, felt awkward throughout, her embarrassment growing with each word.As they exited the hospital, Layson glanced at Adela and said, “I’l
Last Updated : 2025-03-03Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 21 Engagement
The next morning, Adela walked into Walton Enterprises with a mix of apprehension and exhaustion. She was already feeling the physical toll of early pregnancy, and the thought of the office gossip weighed heavily on her.Since discovering she was pregnant, Adela had been trying to keep her emotions in check, but the whispers and speculative glances from her colleagues had been draining. Today, however, something felt different.As she walked past the reception desk, the receptionist greeted her warmly—a rarity given the cold shoulders she had grown used to.“Good morning, Adela,” the receptionist said with a smile. Adela blinked in surprise, nodding back hesitantly. Her curiosity deepened as she noticed the absence of hushed murmurs and judgmental stares as she moved through the corridors.Once she reached her desk, she leaned toward Bella, the department manager, with a puzzled expression. “Bella, is it just me, or is something different today? Everyone’s acting... friendly.”Bella l
Last Updated : 2025-03-03Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 22 The Uninvited Guest
Adela leaned against the cool elevator wall, rolling her neck to ease the tension from a long day. The familiar ding signaled the elevator’s stop, and the doors opened to reveal a poised and elegant woman stepping inside.Adela instinctively moved to the side, creating space even though there was no need; they were the only two in the elevator. Something about the woman’s presence commanded respect. She exuded a quiet grace, her faint floral perfume adding to the aura of sophistication.As the elevator began its descent, the woman turned to Adela with a soft but clear voice. “Are you Adela?”Startled, Adela blinked. How does she know my name? she wondered, but she nodded out of politeness. “Yes, I am.”The woman smiled gently, her demeanor warm yet unreadable. “I thought so.”Before Adela could ask anything, the elevator arrived at the ground floor, and the doors slid open. Neither woman moved. The woman finally extended her hand, her smile deepening.“My name is Evelyn.”Adela hesita
Last Updated : 2025-03-03Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 23 The Truth
Liam Walton and Layson Norman stepped out of the upscale private club into the crisp afternoon air of New York. They had come together for business-related matters, but now it was time for each of them to head their separate ways. Just as they were about to part, Liam caught sight of a familiar figure across the street, inside a small, street-corner café with large glass windows.“Is that… Adela?” Liam’s voice was tense, his brows knitting together in disbelief. He narrowed his eyes, peering through the reflective glare of the café’s glass. Next to him, Layson squinted as well, adjusting the collar of his tailored coat. Adela, Liam’s long-lost sister, was sitting at a corner table. What was she doing here alone, and, more importantly, who was she meeting with?Liam’s heart sank with worry. He knew that Adela wasn’t supposed to be indulging in too much caffeine these days—her health had been delicate. And yet, there she was, leaning over the small wooden table. He and Layson both notic
Last Updated : 2025-03-03Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 24 Fainting
When Liam Walton felt Layson Norman’s firm arm holding him back, he realized only then that his body had tensed, ready to dash after Adela without a second thought. Forced to stop, Liam turned and found himself face-to-face with Evelyn. He saw a new expression there—one he had never seen before. Evelyn, who had always been gentle, soft-spoken, and keenly aware of propriety, now stood before him, eyes rimmed red from tears she had tried to restrain, shoulders drawn tight with remorse.He himself was unsettled by the note of anger and doubt he had heard from her earlier. It was the first time Evelyn had spoken to him that way, her voice laced with bitterness and jealousy. She was usually so understanding, gracefully fitting into the Walton family’s expectations, never raising her voice, never challenging Liam’s decisions. Now, she looked lost and guilt-ridden, as if only now comprehending the consequences of her impulsive confrontation.“I’m sorry,” Evelyn managed, her voice barely abov
Last Updated : 2025-03-03
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Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 238 The Argument
Layson looked at Adela sitting across from him—fresh from a shower, cheeks still flushed pink. Her eyes burned with a bright, piercing light—he couldn’t tell if it was from anger or confusion.Her thick, dark hair hung loosely over her shoulders, the ends softly curled. She looked effortlessly beautiful in her loungewear—there was something so cozy and real about her like this.Layson always knew she was stunning. That’s what drew him to her in the first place. But it wasn’t just her looks. It was her passion, the way her eyes lit up when she talked about jewelry design. She had a fire in her that was rare.He especially liked those quiet nights in the study, when she curled up in his lap and excitedly pointed out the elements of her designs, explaining her inspiration. The joy she radiated when he praised her ideas was irresistible.And this afternoon—watching her speak so animatedly to Carl Rodriguez about her design, her face glowing, the way Carl looked at her like he was entrance
Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 237 Confrontation
Adela watched Carl Rodriguez study the designs so seriously that she felt bad interrupting. She just quietly sipped two glasses of juice while waiting.Carl chuckled as he looked over the pages. “Not a coffee fan? I noticed you always order juice.”Her expression tensed slightly. “Yeah, not really into coffee.”That wasn’t true—she actually liked coffee. But now that she was pregnant, she’d intentionally switched to juice.She was still conflicted about the baby.Letting out a quiet sigh, Adela turned her gaze to the window, zoning out again.After nearly an hour, Carl finally nodded. “I’m impressed. Let’s go with this design.”Adela looked up at him, completely confused. You made me wait a whole hour just to say that?“If you’re satisfied, then we’ll move forward,” she said calmly. “The final payment can be sent to the same account as before. If that’s all, I’ll be heading out.”Just as she was about to stand up, Carl unexpectedly placed his hand on hers. His fingers were warm and sm
Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 236 The Meeting
Adela was resting her chin on her hands, staring blankly at the design on her screen, her mind still stuck on what Layson said that morning.She couldn’t help wondering—how much did he know?Did he already know about what Marah tried to do to her?Last night, when he had her bowl taken away so suddenly, she didn’t think much of it. But looking back now, it felt completely out of character for him.Layson was someone who grew up in privilege. He had that natural aloofness, elegant and refined. Ever since taking over the company, he became even more calm and composed. Publicly embarrassing someone? Definitely not his style—unless someone touched his bottom line.Did he even have one?Was it... the child she was carrying?As she was spacing out, her phone lit up. A call from an unfamiliar number.She picked up, and a lazy, low-pitched male voice came through, smooth and teasing, “Adela, I’d like to see the design in advance.”There were still two days until the deadline, and Adela had al
Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 235 The Ride
Marah made a move to grab Adela’s hand, but Adela casually tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, avoiding her without looking obvious. Marah’s hand just hung there awkwardly in the air.Still smiling sweetly, Marah watched Adela standing in the doorway.Adela stepped aside and walked into the house, calm and composed. “The director was asking about you today—why you haven’t been showing up at work. Something happen?”Ralph had already run down from upstairs and jumped into Adela’s arms. She carried him to the couch and sat down.Marah trailed closely behind, letting out a delicate laugh. “I went on a short trip with a friend—just a weekend getaway. The car broke down and I lost my phone. I called in to report to the director as soon as I got back.”Adela gave her a look. The woman sitting across from her wore an innocent expression with wide eyes and a hint of flirtatious charm at the corners. If not for her unusually pale complexion giving away her real condition, Adela might
Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 234 The Visit
Adela thought about it and decided to take Cici’s advice—she needed to get the truth from Lily. She still didn’t really know what happened that night. Layson didn’t talk much, and Barnes had brushed her off, saying he didn’t know.She didn’t tell Layson she was going to see Lily. But she’d overheard Barnes mention she was still being held at the precinct. So, right after work, she and Cici drove over together.A police officer led them toward the holding cells and casually mentioned something strange along the way.“That Lily girl—she left an impression. She admitted to everything and since the victim wasn’t really hurt, the sentence was light, only eight months. But get this—she begged for three years. Isn’t that weird?”Adela and Cici exchanged glances. “Did she lose her mind or something?”Cici clutched Adela’s arm like she expected to find a lunatic behind bars.But when they saw Lily, she actually looked surprisingly normal—none of that wild-eyed mess they’d been imagining. In fa
Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 233 Moving Back to the Norman Family Estate
Several teachers rushed in to calm things down. The program director and staff tried to smooth over the tension with the parents. This was the Royal Prep Academy—more upscale than most preschools—where kids were trained in special skill sets.One young teacher nervously explained the whole incident.Apparently, three kids had gotten into a scuffle over something someone said about moms. One little girl had overheard an adult say that Ralph didn’t have a known mother, and she blurted it out today.Ralph insisted he had a mom, but the girl didn’t believe him. That led to arguing. The girl got angry and scratched Ralph first. Ralph instinctively tried to scratch back. Then two of her little friends jumped in to defend her, and suddenly the four kids were all rolling on the floor. By the time teachers stepped in, Ralph already had a big scratch across his cheek.Now, this wasn’t a huge deal—none of the kids were seriously hurt. But it wasn’t a small thing either. Ralph had clear marks on
Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 232 The Fight
Adela frowned at Mr. Norman, realizing just how alike he and Layson were—both stubborn and unwilling to listen.After a brief pause, she said, “Mr. Norman, I really don't see any reason for me to move into your family estate.”Mr. Norman's face turned red with anger. “You're carrying Layson's child. That means you must live at the estate. I make the decisions here.”Adela countered, “When I was pregnant with Ralph, no one mentioned moving in.”The two went back and forth, neither willing to back down.Layson, rubbing his temples, sat down on the hospital bed, watching them silently. His presence seemed to dampen their argument, and their voices gradually lowered.“Are you two done?”He smirked, though the smile didn't reach his eyes, as if watching a farce.Once the room quieted, he said, “Let's go to your room, Father.”The caregiver, relieved, quickly wheeled Mr. Norman out.Left alone, Layson pulled Adela close, one hand gripping her chin, the other around her waist. He kissed her
Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 231 Overheard
Adela’s first instinct was honestly to get rid of the baby.For one, she and Layson weren’t married yet—she was just his publicly acknowledged girlfriend. And having a child out of wedlock was still something she hadn’t fully come to terms with.She wasn’t ready to go through that kind of thing again.What she feared even more was if Layson decided to propose just because she was pregnant. They were still working through their relationship. Getting married for the baby wasn’t the future she wanted.Layson’s grip on her arm tightened. She looked up at him, her voice barely hiding a trace of sorrow. “Can you just give me a couple of days to think about it?”That one line cut through Layson like a knife.He didn’t understand. Their relationship had been solid. Why was Adela so unwilling to have a child with him? Did it mean she never intended to, even after marriage?That thought hit him like a chain around his neck, tightening with every second.He held her close but didn’t say a word.
Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 230 Pregnant
Lily’s mind was all over the place. She stared at the man in front of her, someone who seemed almost god-like, then finally dropped her gaze and whispered, “It wasn’t her who told me to do it.”Even Barnes was shocked.“Lily, seriously? You’re telling me you came up with all that on your own? That’s wild.”He looked at her with exasperation. Honestly, he couldn’t understand what kind of dark magic Marah had over people. First Richard, now Lily—they both let themselves be used like pawns.But Lily spoke again, this time even firmer. “I did everything. It was me alone.”Layson, holding Adela in his arms, didn’t move. He just stared coldly at the woman kneeling on the floor. “Why?”Lily bit back her pain, slowly raised her head, and looked at him with a bitter, broken smile. “Because I was jealous. Why does she get to be by your side? Why won’t you even look at me? I miss you so much, it’s driven me insane. The only way I could see you... was through Adela.”The room fell into heavy sile
