The Officer's Runaway Wife & Secret Son novel Chapter 62

Her parents knew he didn't have a good relationship with his mother, so they assumed they had argued again and didn't pry further.

Halfway through the meal, Rhys's phone buzzed.

He glanced at the screen and immediately flipped the phone face down.

Clara stared at the black phone case. "Trouble at the precinct?"

Rhys picked up the phone and stood. "Yeah, I need to take this."

He walked to the balcony and slid the glass door shut behind him.

A few minutes later, Rhys returned. "Dad, Mom. There's been a traffic accident. I have to go assist with the scene processing."

Clara's grip on her fork tightened.

Her father immediately put down his wine glass. "Oh, that's serious. Go, go quickly. Don't delay work; duty comes first."

Her mother rushed to grab his coat. "It's easy to have accidents when it snows. You haven't eaten much. Should I pack a bagel for the road?"

"No need, Mom."

Rhys took the coat and put it on, looking at Clara as he buttoned it up.

Clara remained seated, looking up at him with a faint, cold smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "You're really going? The snow is heavy and the roads are bad. Captain Huntington should be careful."

Rhys felt uncomfortable at her sarcastic tone.

He walked over and squeezed her shoulder, his grip a little heavy. "It really is work," he lowered his voice. "Stay here and keep your parents company. Be good."

"Fine, go." Clara shrugged his hand off. "It's a matter of life and death. Even if I'm unreasonable, I wouldn't stop you from saving lives, right?"

Rhys gave her a deep look before turning and striding out the door.

"That boy works too hard," her mother sighed, sitting back down and placing a chicken wing in Clara's bowl. "Don't give him a long face. Rhys's job is like that; you need to be more understanding. As a cop's wife, you need to provide a warm home front."

"I know, Mom." Clara dropped her gaze, pushing food into her mouth as if swallowing the tears along with it. "I get him. I really do."

She had been 'understanding' for five years.

So understanding that this family reunion dinner felt like a last meal before an execution.

So understanding that she was ready to yield her position to the person who needed him more.

Clara looked at her graying parents and thought, "Just wait a little longer."

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