The Officer's Runaway Wife & Secret Son novel Chapter 107

Clara went to tell her parents.

"Just stay safe," her father said, not stopping her. "Call us if you need anything."

Half an hour later, Clara dragged her suitcase downstairs.

The snow in Brighton City had grown heavier. Simon was leaning against his car door, wearing sunglasses and a flamboyant leopard-print coat that drew side-eyes from passing elderly neighbors. He didn't care. Upon seeing Clara, he whipped off his sunglasses and rushed over to give her a bear hug that nearly suffocated her.

"My god, look at you. You're a skeleton! We haven't even been apart that long!"

Simon pinched her hollow cheek, looking disgusted but with undeniable heartache in his eyes.

"Stop it," Clara swatted his hand away and tossed her suitcase into the trunk. "Let's go before my dad sees that outfit. He'll start lecturing you again."

As Simon drove, he watched Clara through the rearview mirror. She looked lifeless.

"You really divorced him?" Simon asked tentatively.

"Yeah. I left the papers and the ring for him. I burned the bridges this time."

"Good job!" Simon smacked the steering wheel. "I never understood it. Has Rhys lost his mind? Does he think he's some kind of hero saving the world?"

Clara said faintly, "He's not a saint. He just thought I was 'one of his own.'"

In their relationship, being 'sensible' and 'understanding' had become her original sin.

"Screw being 'one of his own,'" Simon cursed. "You have a better temper than me. If it were me, I'd have taken a megaphone to his police station and broadcast his crap to the world."

Clara managed a small laugh, though it didn't reach her eyes.

The car pulled up to a worn apartment complex. It wasn't far from the city center. Simon led her upstairs.

"It's a bit messy, just make do," Simon tossed the keys onto the shoe cabinet. "Utilities are on, and I just renewed the internet for a year. If you need anything, tell me, and I'll bring it over."

"No need, it's perfect."

Clara looked around and joked, "How much is rent in this area? Give me a discount?"

"Shut up. Do I look like I need your rent money?"

"Who was it that said they still had to support the kids in the family?"

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