The Officer's Runaway Wife & Secret Son novel Chapter 207

On the day of her departure from Brighton City.

The leasing agent did one final walkthrough of the apartment facilities before taking the keys Clara offered.

"Ms. Bridges, the contract is signed for a three-year lease as requested," the agent said, slipping the documents into his briefcase. "Rent will be deposited at the beginning of each quarter, and I'll check the utility meters regularly."

Clara nodded. "Thank you. Just message me if anything comes up."

"Will do. You folks enjoy your trip abroad. Have a great time!" The agent waved cheerfully and left.

Clara's dad stood with his hands behind his back, taking one last look at the living room they had inhabited for decades.

The family portrait on the wall had been taken down, leaving a faint rectangular outline on the paint.

The flower stand on the balcony was bare; the potted plants and the goldfish tank had been gifted to the neighbors across the hall yesterday.

"Let's go," her dad said, not looking back. "I've climbed these stairs enough. Time to live somewhere with an elevator. Save my knees!"

Clara's mom looked at her daughter, who was double-checking their travel documents, and swallowed her lingering reluctance.

"Right. Time to go enjoy life!"

Just as they stepped out of the building, they ran into Farrah, who was returning from the grocery store.

Farrah paused, eyeing the three of them, each with a suitcase in tow.

"Oh my, where are you all off to with all this luggage?"

Clara linked her arm through her mother's. "Farrah, I'm going abroad for a while. I thought I'd take my parents along to relax and stay there for a bit."

"Abroad?" Farrah clicked her tongue in envy. "That's the way to do it! Look at you, Clara, marrying such a good husband. I always said you two would have a blessed retirement."

Clara just smiled without commenting.

The trip abroad was a lie.

And that "good husband" was, as of today, past tense.

***

At the airport terminal, Clara spotted Emily and Noah standing near the departure gates from a distance.

Two other figures were next to them, engaged in a bit of a tussle.

Alex Thorne was clinging to Simon, looking utterly aggrieved.

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