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18 Being Watched

Author: FancyZ
last update Last Updated: 2025-03-03 14:48:56

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
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  • Reclaiming 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

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  • Reclaiming 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

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  • Reclaiming 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

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  • Reclaiming 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

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  • Reclaiming 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

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  • Reclaiming 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

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  • Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama   25 The Abandoned Child

    The soft click of the door opening echoed in the quiet hospital room. Adela, who had been lying in bed with her eyes closed, instinctively squeezed them shut even tighter. She had woken up some time ago but wasn’t sure how to face anyone, especially after everything she had learned. So when she heard the faint sound of the door, she remained motionless, pretending to be asleep.Layson Norman stepped in, his gaze sweeping over Adela’s still figure. Seeing no movement, he assumed she hadn’t woken yet, so he lingered at the threshold. After a brief moment, he quietly slipped back out, gently closing the door behind him so as not to disturb her.Out in the corridor, Liam Walton had just returned from escorting the doctor out, during which he’d also gone over Adela’s test results and arranged for any additional examinations she might need. Concern weighed on his usually confident features as he spotted Layson standing near the door.“Is Adela awake?” Liam asked, his voice low, but edged wi

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  • Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama   26 A Change of Address

    Adela bolted awake, fingers clenched so tightly around the bedsheets that the IV line in her hand pulled painfully against her skin. A small smear of red began to seep beneath the clear bandage, the sting jolting her out of the lingering remnants of her unsettling dream. Her forehead was damp with cold sweat, and her breath came in ragged bursts as she tried to reorient herself.As her vision cleared, she noticed the dim light of the hospital room and heard the hum of the air-conditioning. Only then did she become aware that someone was there with her. Turning her head, she saw Layson Norman, eyes shut, leaning back on the small couch tucked against the wall. But the moment she stirred, he immediately opened his eyes, as though he had not really been sleeping at all.Without a word, Layson rose from the couch and approached her bedside. His eyes flicked to her sweat-drenched hair, then to the IV in her hand, where fresh blood had begun to seep. A slight crease formed between his brows

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Latest chapter

  • Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama   184 Tense Atmosphere

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  • Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama   183 Layson's Dominance

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  • Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama   182 Facing the Truth

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  • Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama   181 Herbie Wakes Up

    Inside the ICU, Herbie's life-monitoring equipment suddenly sounded an alarm, making everyone outside immediately alert and stand up anxiously. Doctors and nurses quickly rushed into the room. Adela nervously clutched Layson's hand, her eyes reddening again with worry.The hospital director arrived swiftly after receiving the news. He gently patted Layson's shoulder at the doorway, reassuring him that he would do his best. The corridor outside fell into a tense silence, filled with suffocating anxiety.Unable to face the scene, Adela turned her back to the glass window, sitting on a chair with closed eyes, praying silently for good news from the doctors. Seeing his mother so distressed, Ralph hurried over and quietly grasped her hand. Without speaking, he gently comforted her by staying silently by her side.At this moment, there was nothing more they could do but wait for the doctors' results, hoping fate would spare the young child who still had her whole life ahead.After about fif

  • Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama   180 She'll Wake Up

    At the entrance of the Starry Building, a dark red sports car was parked conspicuously. Bard leaned casually against the door, attracting plenty of attention, though he couldn't care less. His lips curled into a cocky smirk as he stared intently toward the main entrance.When Marah walked out and spotted Bard standing there, she felt a pang of surprise, quickly replaced by annoyance.Seeing the woman he'd been waiting for, Bard confidently approached Marah, holding a bouquet of bright red roses. Marah avoided eye contact but found herself unable to move away. When Bard reached her, she snapped irritably, "Why are you here? Didn't I tell you to stop bothering me?"Ignoring her cold tone, Bard handed her the roses, his voice carefree and arrogant. "I came to take you out to dinner. Let's go."When Bard reached to grab her hand, Marah immediately pulled away in disgust. She couldn't stand the sight of him—his smug, oily face made her uncomfortable. "I'm not going."She turned to leave bu

  • Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama   179 Released from Jail

    Behind the glass window, the figure on the hospital bed lay motionless, surrounded by medical equipment. Each flicker and beep on the life-monitoring devices made the observers' hearts tighten anxiously.Adela, escorted by Layson Norman, repeatedly reminded herself to stay calm and not collapse again. But when she stood in front of the window looking at Herbie, her heartache was overwhelming. She covered her mouth, desperately trying to hold back tears, but they streamed down uncontrollably.Layson reached out to comfort her, but Adela resisted, unwilling to tear her eyes away from Herbie. The memory of that huge advertising board crashing down haunted her; despite being so close, she couldn’t protect her sister.“Adela, please don't do this. We'll do everything we can to make her better,” Layson murmured gently, pain evident in his weary eyes, accentuating his rugged yet handsome features.He forcibly pulled her into his embrace. Adela buried herself in his chest, clinging tightly to

  • Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama   178 Investigating Marah

    Layson Norman stayed with Adela in the hospital room the whole time. She didn’t fall back asleep, but stared blankly at the ceiling, replaying every scene from the mall incident over and over in her mind. She vividly remembered everything, especially the moment when she felt her heart nearly stop.Seeing Adela lying there with empty eyes, Layson knew she was deeply worried about Herbie. At this moment, he felt utterly powerless. He was a man who could command storms in the business world, yet now he was completely helpless in front of Adela. Silence filled the room, leaving only the quiet sound of their breathing.Suddenly, a noise from outside broke the tense silence. A young voice called loudly from the doorway, “Mommy! Mommy!”Adela turned her head slightly and saw Ralph’s small figure appear. Her eyes, previously unfocused, regained a hint of clarity. She realized she must have scared Ralph terribly. She could faintly remember hearing his anxious cries when she collapsed that day.

  • Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama   177 How’s Herbie?

    Adela’s eyes fluttered open, her vision hazy as she adjusted to the harsh hospital lighting. The first thing she saw was Layson sitting beside her, his expression filled with worry, exhaustion, and something else—something deeper. But her mind was still blank, struggling to make sense of everything.Across the room, Spencer Walton suddenly snapped out of his daze. In his rush to leave, he nearly tripped over the bed frame. “I—I’ll get the doctor,” he muttered hastily before disappearing out the door.Within minutes, the doctor arrived, flanked by nurses. They quickly began assessing her condition.“Miss Walton, do you feel dizzy?” the doctor asked, shining a small flashlight into her pupils. The sudden brightness made her squint, her senses slowly coming back.The room was filled with soft murmurs and the gentle hum of medical equipment, but the one thing Adela noticed most was the warmth of the hand holding hers. A steady, firm grip that provided a deep sense of security. She knew in

  • Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama   176 Adela Wakes Up

    The moment Lydia finally opened up, the officers in the interrogation room exchanged surprised glances. They had braced themselves for an all-night standoff, expecting her to stay silent or keep playing mind games. But she had finally cracked.They pressed on."Was it a man or a woman? How did they contact you?"The dimly lit room had only a single overhead lamp casting shadows on the walls. Earlier, Lydia had found the lighting oppressive, but now she was grateful for it. At least it hid the redness of her eyes.She fought back the tears that threatened to fall, forcing a smirk onto her lips to hold them back. But her gaze lingered on Liam Walton. This might be the only time she’d ever be this close to him. In a twisted way, she was grateful for it."A woman," she finally said. "She approached me first. Back when the rumors about me and Layson Norman were spreading, she called me out of nowhere. I thought she was a reporter or some crazy fan at first. But she was persistent. She kept

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