---- Chapter 15: Office Life Life had settled back into the usual groove-work, daycare runs, and catching up with friends. Clara sometimes wondered if the whole marriage thing was even real. Like, was she dreaming? The only real change was Aunt Paige stepping up to help out all day long. Since Leo was starting school next month and her work hours conflicted, Clara had no choice but to hand over the school drop-offs and pick-ups to Paige. Luckily, Paige lived just around the corner. Every morning, Paige showed up bright and early at eight, took Leo for a stroll in the park, then swung by the grocery store. That routine made Clara's mornings a breeze-she could sleep in a little, enjoy breakfast, then casually stroll over to the hospital without rushing. Today, Clara didn't have any appointments. She was stuck in the office, buried under piles of patient files. ---- Truth be told, Clara wasn't a fan of office life-it felt like she spent half her time trapped in awkward small talk. Was this social anxiety or just plain office misery? After exchanging brief greetings with a few coworkers, she barely sat down when Steven appeared again. Nope. Didn't see him. Clara gave her best "look busy" stare at the patient file, hoping to make herself invisible. Steven smiled like sunshine, clearly in a great mood. "Morning, Clara! No clinic today?" "Morning, Mr. Riley!" Clara replied, rolling her eyes internally. Seriously, how could he not know the schedule? Steven nervously adjusted his glasses and lowered his voice. "Got a lot on your plate? Need a hand? I'm in the office all day too." Clara politely declined. "No thanks, just catching up on filing and tweaking some reports for submission-routine stuff I've got down. You focus on your work." ---- Steven brightened even more. "Love Story 4' came out yesterday, and reviews are solid. Want to catch it tonight?" Clara had to admire his persistence. He'd been trying that line at least a dozen times and kept bombing. Buddy, ever think about switching up your game? The hospital was already a sea of women-men were few and far between. Gorgeous women everywhere-Clara was honestly overwhelmed trying to keep track. In her department alone, the nurses' eyes lit up when Steven walked by. And then there was Diana West-brains and beauty all rolled into one-the hospital rumor mill said she camped out by Steven's parking spot every day, hoping for a "chance encounter." Why? Why would Steven chase after her? Clara couldn't wrap her head around it. Sure, she had some looks, but she had a four-year-old kid. Steven was a handsome single guy-why bother? ---- Sometimes Clara got scared. She worried Steven's powerful father, the company chairman, might just write her a check and tell her to disappear. For now, she liked her job and wanted to keep her distance from Steven. Should she just whip out the marriage certificate? Nah, no point. The whole story was messy. If coworkers asked, she wouldn't know what to say. So she made an excuse: "Sorry, Leo's starting preschool soon, so I've got to take him shopping tonight." Steven offered, "Got a lot of stuff? I can drive and help carry." "No, just little things-water bottles, towels. And other kids will be there too." Clara added, "By the way, Mia said she wants to see 'Love Story 4'-maybe you should invite her?" Mia had basically bought Clara ten bubble teas already, so she was stuck playing matchmaker. Mia was perfect-beautiful, sweet voice, gentle, ---- detail-oriented at work, and everyone liked her. Even the kids adored her soft, cute vibe. Definitely girlfriend material. But Steven said, "No rush. How about the day after tomorrow..." Luckily, Clara's phone rang. She grabbed it and apologized, "Excuse me, I need to take this." She stepped into the stairwell and checked the caller ID-it was Matt. "Good morning, Ms. Hartley! The contractor finished setting up the kids' room. Are you free today to come by and check if anything needs fixing?" Clara was surprised. "That fast?" Matt thought, the boss checked in on the project every day via video call. Of course, he was on top of it. "What time do you get off? I can pick you up." "No need," Clara decided. "I'll come by around seven." ---- "Alright, I'll meet you at the Riverbend Villas gate at six." After hanging up, Clara returned to her desk and dove back into work.