The Officer's Runaway Wife & Secret Son novel Chapter 206

Clara’s shoulders finally slumped, her posture softening with apology. "Nothing gets past you, Mr. Reed. I'm sorry for letting you take on such a risk without knowing the full picture."

Daniel shook his head. "It wasn't much of a risk. Mr. Huntington is arrogant. If he had been even slightly more observant, he would have uncovered the truth himself."

Clara lowered her lashes. A dull ache throbbed in her chest, but it faded quickly, replaced by a sense of release.

That was just who Rhys was.

He would rather trust a piece of paper—a medical report—than stop for one second to truly look into her eyes.

"I'll transfer the legal fees to you now," she said, not wanting to discuss that name any longer.

Daniel produced an invoice.

Clara glanced at the total.

It was a substantial six-figure sum.

A top-tier lawyer of his caliber certainly didn't come cheap. But for Clara, who had just secured eighty million in liquid assets, it was a drop in the bucket.

"What are your plans now?"

As the notification chime for the transfer echoed in the room, Daniel stood up, asking a rare personal question.

"Brighton City isn't that big. Given the nature of his work, running into him again is inevitable. If he ever finds out the truth, you'll be on the back foot in any custody battle."

Clara turned to look out the window.

The old trees along Oakridge Avenue were sprouting fresh green buds. A police cruiser, lights flashing, sped through the intersection.

"That's why I've decided to leave."

She withdrew her gaze, her smile light and unburdened. "I'm going somewhere with no snow, only the ocean. A place where I'll never run into him again as long as I live."

Daniel understood.

"In that case, safe travels, Clara."

He extended a hand, offering a polite, professional shake.

"Don't look for me again. Usually, when people need me, it means nothing good has happened."

Clara shook his hand firmly.

"Here's hoping I never have to walk through your firm's doors again."

***

Leaving the café, Clara walked home at a leisurely pace.

"Well, Rhys isn't talking to me right now. It was your miscarriage, so I don't understand why he's blaming me."

Clara didn't respond, ready to hang up.

"Don't be in such a hurry," Margot said quickly. "Clara, don't you want to know why he didn't go down to save you that day at the Harborview Hotel, even though he was right upstairs?"

Clara's finger paused over the screen.

"I can tell you," she laughed softly. "Do you want to know who is truly more important to him—you or me?"

It was a thorn in Clara's heart.

Even though the baby was miraculously safe, the despair she had felt alone in that parking garage was real and visceral.

She was silent for two seconds, then sighed.

"Margot, I'm divorced. You are truly repulsive. Keep your secrets and go live in the past with him."

Ending the call, Clara looked up at the sky.

The clouds over Brighton City always seemed to hang so low and oppressive.

She couldn't wait to see the ocean at Heron Bay.