The Officer's Runaway Wife & Secret Son novel Chapter 109

In that instant, Rhys could barely control the urge to kick the door down. But though he was out of uniform, the discipline and breeding were ingrained in his bones.

Rhys stood in the dark for a long time. Finally, he took out his phone and dialed Clara again. Still blocked.

He found Simon's number. If she wasn't at home, she had to be with that male best friend of hers who lived for drama.

The call connected. The background noise sounded like a bar or a club.

"Happy New Year, Captain Huntington," Simon's voice drawled, sounding sloppy. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Is Clara with you?" Rhys got straight to the point.

Simon scoffed. "You're asking me where your wife is?"

"Simon." Rhys's patience wore thin, his tone dropping an octave. "I can't find her, and I can't confirm her safety. If something actually happens to her, you won't be absolved of responsibility either."

"Moral blackmail, is it?" Simon laughed coldly. "Rhys, Clara is an adult, not a cat or dog you keep. Does she have to report her movements to you every second?"

"Is she with you or not?"

"She is not."

Simon's tone shifted, becoming somewhat gloating. "You're a cop. Isn't tracking someone down just a game to you? Or maybe you should put up missing person posters, see if some kind soul brings her back to you?"

At the mention of his methods, Rhys's brow twitched.

"Tell her to stop making a scene. Whatever she wants, wherever she wants to go, I'll agree to it. Just tell her to call me back."

*Click.*

The call was disconnected. Rhys stared at the screen, his eyes dark and dangerous.

Clara: [Yes, yes. Don't come over for a few days so he doesn't track you.]

Simon: [Fine. Watch your own safety. Don't order delivery that needs to be brought up; use the lockers downstairs. Call if you need backup. I can't fight, but I can scream.]

Clara replied with a sticker and tossed the phone aside.

The room was too quiet. Quiet enough to hear the occasional gurgle of water pipes and the shuffling of slippers from the floor above. The repairman for the water heater still hadn't shown up.

Clara washed her face simply in the bathroom. The cold water shocked her skin, making her shiver.

Lying in bed, she thought she would have insomnia, but perhaps the day had drained too much of her emotional energy. Not long after closing her eyes, her consciousness began to sink.

In her dream, there was the deep blue sea.