The Officer's Runaway Wife & Secret Son novel Chapter 19

Leaving the law firm, Clara found an agent and started looking at apartments.

Real estate prices in Brighton City were ridiculously high. Her savings were only enough for a down payment on a one-bedroom place in a remote area.

The agent talked a mile a minute, but Clara didn't hear a word, her mind in a fog.

Until the third day.

Clara was curled up on the sofa, scrolling through a rental app on her phone.

Simon, pinky out, handed her a slice of peeled apple.

"Decided? You're really moving out on your own?"

"Yeah."

"Do you have enough money? If not, I can sponsor you."

Clara took a bite of the apple and mumbled, "I have enough."

Her savings were all earned by herself. She hadn't touched a cent from the card Rhys gave her.

She didn't want his money.

And she didn't want any further ties with him.

The doorbell rang. Simon beamed and trotted toward the door. "It must be Alex forgetting the code again."

Humming a tune, he leaned into the peephole to look, and his face turned to disgust.

"Damn it. Bad penny always turns up."

Clara had a sinking feeling.

Simon turned back, lowering his voice. "The Devil himself is at the door."

Outside, Rhys wore a black coat, looking travel-worn. His hair was a bit messy, dark stubble covered his chin, and his eyes were bloodshot.

Not seeing him for three days, he actually looked a bit ragged.

Clara felt a twinge in her heart, then got angry at herself for her pathetic wavering.

Simon blocked the doorway, asking snarkily, "Captain Huntington, to what do we owe the honor?"

"I'm looking for Clara." Rhys's voice was hoarse. "Tell her to come out. I need to explain."

He had been incredibly busy these past two days. Clara wouldn't reply to messages or answer calls, so he had to come grab her himself.

Before anyone could react, Rhys had grabbed Clara's wrist. "You want to divorce me over this trivial nonsense?"

Clara frowned in pain. "Do you speak English?"

Rhys paused, let out a cold laugh, and dragged her toward the door.

Simon tried to pull him off, but Rhys blocked him with a backhand, pushing him away effortlessly.

Clara quickly signaled him with her eyes.

With his small frame, he couldn't even beat her in a fight; a shove from Rhys would probably put him in the hospital for two weeks.

Simon understood her look and deliberately shouted, "Text me every hour! If you're a minute late, I'm calling the cops for kidnapping!"

Once dragged out the front door, Rhys bent down, scooped his arm up, and hoisted Clara directly onto his shoulder.

The world spun.

Clara hung upside down, feeling terrible.

"Rhys! Put me down! This is kidnapping! I'll sue you!"

She hammered blindly on his back, but her strength was like a tickle to him.