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32 Dexter in the Police Station
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2025-03-03 15:02:43
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Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 33 Come Home With Me
Adela was busy signing some paperwork at the police station, the last formalities required before she could bring Dexter Norman out of custody. The officer behind the desk flipped through the pages, checking the information. Although Dexter had sobered up considerably since the brawl, he avoided looking at her for more than a moment at a time, clearly feeling guilty for dragging her into his troubles yet again.Not far away, the man Dexter had beaten up continued to groan and rant. He demanded compensation for his “serious injuries,” hurling all sorts of accusations. Each time he locked eyes with Dexter, however, Dexter’s cold glare was enough to make the man shrink back, momentarily silenced.Suddenly, the station doors swung open. Several people entered, and Adela couldn’t help but pause in mid-signature to glance over. In front was Layson Norman, exuding his usual imposing aura. She froze for just a second, pen poised above the line where her signature was supposed to go. The prese
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-03Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 34 Returning Home Disappointed
As soon as Layson Norman ushered Adela out of the police station, she quietly followed him—her usual confidence dampened by the tense reunion she had just witnessed. The moment they got into his car, Layson finally broke the silence.“How did you end up there?” he asked, fastening his seat belt before turning his head slightly in her direction.From her spot in the passenger seat, Adela glimpsed the edge of his profile—his sharp jaw, the slight furrow of his brow. For a brief moment, she was caught off guard by how striking he looked against the city lights filtering through the windshield. Feeling self-conscious for staring, she took an extra second to respond.“Dexter…called me,” she said simply, hoping her slight flush wasn’t too obvious in the dim light.Layson raised an eyebrow in subtle curiosity, but before he could press further, his gaze dropped to her abdomen. “You’re pregnant,” he reminded her in a level tone. “You shouldn’t be running around late at night, especially not t
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-03Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 35 Too Much Guilt
When Liam Walton arrived at the Walton family home, it was Evelyn who opened the door for him. The moment their eyes met, an uneasy tension hovered between them, and for a split second, they stood in awkward silence on the threshold. Eventually, Evelyn forced a gentle smile, stepping back to let Liam pass.“Welcome back,” she said in a quiet, measured voice. It was the same soft warmth she always showed, yet for Liam, it felt strangely different this time.“Mm, I’m back,” he replied simply.As soon as he was through the door, Evelyn naturally reached for Liam’s belongings—his coat and briefcase—and took them from his hands, as though they had long ago established this sort of domestic routine. “Grandfather’s waiting for you in the study,” she explained, turning on her heel and heading further into the house.The way Evelyn moved and spoke, so refined and gracious, made it seem as though nothing had happened—no conflict, no heated misunderstanding back in New York. She was calm, polite
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-03Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 36 I Won’t Divorce
Liam Walton lingered by the coffee table, his gaze fixated on the divorce papers as if they were some inscrutable code he couldn’t decipher. The neatly printed words seemed to carry an unbearable weight, pressing down on him. It wasn’t until a housekeeper came upstairs to announce that dinner was ready that he finally jolted out of his daze.“Sir, dinner is served,” the housekeeper said politely.Liam, still holding the thin stack of pages in his hand, looked up. “All right,” he replied quietly. He slid the papers into a drawer of the coffee table, making sure they were out of sight but not out of mind, and left the room.Descending the wide, elegantly carved staircase, he was struck by an unusual awareness of the home he had taken for granted for so many years. From the polished marble floors to the ornately framed portraits of Walton ancestors on the walls, everything seemed more alive than usual. Ever since he’d married Evelyn, he had spent far too many evenings preoccupied with bu
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-03Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 37 Awaiting the Baby
Adela was three months into her pregnancy, and the symptoms of morning sickness had hit her especially hard. Every night seemed longer than the last, her unsettled stomach often making sleep elusive. Despite her exhaustion, she had to admit that she was eating better than ever—each day, someone hired by Layson Norman delivered carefully prepared meals tailored to meet her nutritional needs. It was evident he wanted her to remain healthy for the sake of the baby.Still, Adela felt strangely detached from the life growing inside her. From a young age, she had believed children should be born into a loving relationship, yet here she was, expecting a child conceived more out of necessity than desire. Instead of excitement, she felt burdened, as if the baby were a reminder of a painful chapter of her life. She made every effort to remain calm, yet the thought of what lay ahead—giving birth, then heading off to a new place—occupied her mind constantly.One bright afternoon, Adela decided to
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-03Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 38 A Boy
When Adela arrived at the hospital, she was immediately ushered into a VIP suite. The faint scent of antiseptic and the soft hum of medical equipment surrounded her, making her heart pound with apprehension. She underwent a comprehensive series of tests—checking her blood pressure, monitoring the baby’s heartbeat, and ensuring that everything was in order. Once the doctor declared there were no complications, Layson Norman slipped out, leaving Adela alone in the bright, sterile room.Lying on the adjustable bed, Adela tried flipping through a paperback she had brought, but the words blurred in front of her eyes. Although her gaze roamed over the text, her mind remained elsewhere—on the life she would lead once this baby came into the world. The baby she had agreed to have under contract, with no illusions of love or a shared future. She felt an unsettling mix of fear and relief, knowing that soon, her part of the bargain would be complete.Late that morning, her phone buzzed. Seeing H
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-03Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 39 Parting Ways
Two months had slipped by since Adela left the hospital. She was back in her small apartment, methodically packing clothes for Herbie, who was perched on the sofa. The couch was piled high with folded pants, shirts, and socks, all destined for the suitcase that sat open on the floor. Herbie bounced out of the bedroom, clutching a stuffed rabbit in her arms—her face full of excitement and just a hint of uncertainty.“Adela, I want to bring my bunny to Grandma Anderson’s house!” she announced, hugging the plush rabbit close to her chest.Adela, busy sorting out a stack of warm sweaters, looked up. She patted the seat beside her in invitation, and Herbie plopped down, the bunny cradled on her lap. “Of course you can bring it. You can take anything that makes you happy.”When Adela had returned from the hospital, she had focused her energies on making arrangements for Herbie. The plan was both simple and heartbreaking: Herbie would move in temporarily with an older couple, the Lis, while
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-03Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 40 Those Who Truly Care
Adela felt Herbie’s arms clinging to her waist, the small girl’s sobs tearing at her heart. Unable to hold back any longer, tears slipped down Adela’s own cheeks. She had promised herself she would be strong, especially in front of Herbie, but there was no steel in the world strong enough to completely shield her from a moment like this. So she lowered herself to Herbie’s eye level, gathering her little sister into a trembling hug. Everyone around them—Mr. Anderson, Mrs. Anderson, and even Layson Norman—remained quiet. It was as if the weight of this farewell hung in the air, giving the scene a solemn hush.“I’ll come back for you,” Adela whispered, gently rubbing Herbie’s back in a soothing circle. She had said this so many times before, but saying it now felt like an act of desperation, as though those words were her last defense against heartbreak. It was all she could offer.Steeling herself, Adela gently pulled Herbie away and nudged her into Mrs. Anderson’s arms. It pained her t
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-03
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Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 240 The Photo
Adela was a little tempted by the idea of giving Layson a gift. “He doesn’t need anything… What would I even give him?”Cici rolled her eyes. “It’s not about what the gift is, it’s about who is giving it! Guys need to be sweet-talked sometimes. Trust me, I know what I’m talking about.”Seeing how confidently she spoke, Adela was almost convinced.“Wait—you said you don’t have a boyfriend. How do you know so much?”Another eye roll from Cici. “Please. I’ve watched enough TV dramas. And every time my parents fight, my dad always wins my mom over with a gift.”“Oh…” Adela looked a little envious. “So your dad’s the one making it up to your mom. But me…”The air turned awkward.Cici cleared her throat. “Hey, whatever works, right? Don’t overthink it. I’ll go with you at lunch. You pick something nice and give it to him tonight—easy fix.”As soon as lunch break hit, the two headed to the biggest mall in the city. Adela was still debating what kind of gift would be best.After grabbing a bi
Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 239 Cheer Him Up
The phone was quiet for a few seconds. Just as Barnes thought Layson might hang up, Layson finally said calmly, “Let her stay at the apartment. You head back.”After hanging up, Layson dialed Diana.“Mom, Adela’s not in the best mood right now, so she’s staying at the apartment. I’m flying abroad in the morning—no need to wait up for us tonight.”Diana wanted to say something to get Adela to come home, but hearing that, she chose not to push.“You two just take care of yourselves, don’t let anyone else interfere.”And by “anyone,” she obviously meant Marah.Layson smiled faintly. “I know, don’t worry.”After he hung up, he lit a cigarette. Smoke curled in the air, veiling the cold detachment in his eyes.Barely fifteen minutes later, Barnes knocked and opened the door. “Sir, are you heading back to the apartment tonight?”Layson, cigarette between his fingers, tapped the ashtray lightly. His expression was as composed as ever—but something darker lingered behind his cold gaze.“Is my
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
