The Officer's Runaway Wife & Secret Son novel Chapter 445

Rhys paused for a moment, his voice dropping lower. "But now that I've seen it, I feel more at ease."

He met Clara's gaze, the panic in his eyes now gone.

"It won't happen again, Clara. I promise, this is the last time."

The flight information was public, accessible to anyone. It wasn't as if he had put a tracker on her and Noah. Clara didn't think it was that serious, but seeing his earnest and sincere apology, how he laid his insecurities bare for her, a sense of relief settled in her heart.

They had spent nearly a decade walking a long, winding, and painful road. He had always kept his thoughts to himself, made his own decisions, and allowed misunderstandings to fester between them.

Only now was he truly learning how to build an equal and transparent relationship with her.

And she had finally gotten the honesty she had waited so long for.

He wouldn't hide things, and she wouldn't have to guess.

The drafty hole that had been in her chest was finally filled with a long-forgotten sense of security.

Clara looked away and murmured, "As long as you've seen it, then it's fine."

She didn't say more, but her attitude was all the reassurance he needed.

A flicker of relief finally lit up Rhys's eyes, and even the chronic ache in his lungs seemed to lessen.

He nodded, letting the topic go.

With the emotional issue resolved, his expression quickly turned serious.

Unlocking his phone again, he tapped the screen a few times and brought up a photo.

He pulled Clara down to sit beside him and handed her the phone.

"Let's talk business."

Clara looked at the screen, which showed the inside of a trash can.

"What's this?" she asked.

"I had a rookie I used to mentor check on Owen's recent movements. He's been drinking at a private club for the past few days."

Clara zoomed in on the photo, looking at the words and numbers on the blister pack.

"Is this a sleeping pill?" she asked uncertainly.

"It's a powerful prescription sedative. And it's a prescription-only drug. The same kind Margot used to take."

Rhys didn't beat around the bush.

Clara's mind raced. She handed the phone back to Rhys, her brow furrowed.

Yesterday, when she told Rhys about the medicinal scent on Owen, it had been just an intuition, a guess.

Now, that guess had become hard evidence.

Margot's medication, found in Owen's private room, and the packaging was empty.

Rhys understood her concern and agreed readily.

The conversation went smoothly, but some events were unavoidable.

The next day was the day of Old Mr. Huntington's cremation, and Rhys had to be there to see him off one last time.

In the master bedroom of Riverside Court, Rhys stood in front of the wardrobe.

He had changed into a black suit, the collar of his white shirt buttoned to the top, without a tie.

The tailored black suit jacket accentuated his tall, straight posture.

Clara pushed the door open and walked in, holding a black cashmere overcoat.

"Put this on." She handed him the coat. "It's almost ten degrees below zero outside, and it'll be even colder at the cemetery. You can't afford to get chilled."

Rhys took the coat and put it on. Clara naturally reached out to flip up the folded collar, smoothing it into place.

They were standing very close. Rhys looked down and could see her focused expression, her familiar, clean scent filling the air between them.

"There will be a lot of mourners today. Basically everyone who's anyone in the city will be there to make an appearance. With all the ceremonies, it'll probably be afternoon before you're done."

Clara said, "Right. I'll take Felix to Oakridge Avenue. It's a good chance to take him for a visit."

"If you start to feel unwell over there, find a quiet place to rest. Don't push yourself." Clara's fingers paused on his lapel for a moment, and she couldn't help but add another reminder. "Your medicine is in your right pocket. Don't forget to take it on time."