The Officer's Runaway Wife & Secret Son novel Chapter 208

"What is this?" Clara took the notebook.

"Medical contacts in Heron Bay."

Noah explained, "Professor Sterling in OB-GYN studied under the same mentor as my advisor, and Director Hale in Pediatrics is a senior colleague of mine. I've already given them a heads-up. When you get there, contact them directly to set up your files. No one will look into your past medical history."

Clara's hand trembled slightly.

"Dr. Carter..."

"Just call me Noah," he smiled. "You're leaving. No need to be so formal."

Clara smiled back. "Okay, Noah."

Noah looked into her eyes, resisting the urge to reach out and tuck a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Take care of yourself," he said. "If I ever have a conference in Heron Bay, I'll come visit you and Peanut."

"Okay."

Simon had finished checking in and was waving frantically. "Clara! Hurry up! Security!"

"Coming!"

Clara called out, then looked at Noah one last time. "Well... goodbye."

"Goodbye."

Clara turned, took her parents' arms, and the three of them walked toward the security checkpoint without looking back.

Only when her figure completely disappeared at the end of the concourse did Noah withdraw his gaze.

Emily put her sunglasses back on, hiding her reddened eyes. "Heartless woman. Leaving so fast, didn't even turn her head."

Alex sniffled. "Simon didn't look back either."

Emily gave him a look of disdain and walked away, her heels clicking on the floor. "Let's go. I need a spa day."

Noah looked at the empty hall and whispered softly, "Safe travels."

***

Forty minutes later, the plane soared into the clouds.

Clara sat by the window, watching the city below shrink rapidly into matchbox-sized squares.

There was Riverside Court, the traffic unit headquarters, Ashton University...

It was the youth she had loved for five years, struggled with for five years.

The clouds gradually obscured the view, and sunlight pierced through the sea of white, casting a brilliant golden glow.

Clara placed her hand gently over her lower abdomen, looking out at the blue sky, and sighed silently in her heart:

"Captain!"

Several junior officers nearby were terrified and rushed over to support him.

"Captain Huntington, what's wrong? Are you okay?"

Rhys gasped for air, his hand pressing hard against his chest. The panic had come without warning.

Why?

He looked up blankly. The plane was now just a black dot, quickly melting into the sunlight.

"I'm fine." Rhys pushed away the hands supporting him, bracing his hands on his knees to stand up. "Just low blood sugar."

He pulled his phone from his pocket and, as if possessed, dialed Clara's number.

Still blocked.

Rhys stared at the screen, the corner of his mouth twitching in a self-deprecating smile.

What was she doing right now?

Probably catching up on sleep at home, or maybe out celebrating her single status with that unserious friend, Simon.

She was just...ignoring him. That was all.