The Officer's Runaway Wife and Secret Son novel Chapter 347

Clara pulled her hand back, a thin layer of dust clinging to her fingertips, feeling gritty.

Pedestrians hurried past. The pace of life in Brighton City was always this fast, this impersonal.

No one stopped to look at a public service announcement at a bus stop. And no one knew that the heavily armed officer on the poster, the man who guarded the city with only his eyes showing, was once the husband she had wanted to spend the rest of her life with.

A car drove by, its brake lights flashed, and it reversed a few feet before pulling over to the side of the road.

Before Clara could look away, her eyes met those of the person in the car.

"...Clara?"

Clara hadn't expected to run into them here.

Four years had passed, and while Mia Huntington now had fine lines around her eyes, the way she looked at Clara was the same as ever—warm and tinged with a familiar ache.

Wendy Murray was in the back seat, and Clara could faintly hear the gurgling of a baby.

Clara took a step back. The word "Mia" was on the tip of her tongue, but she forced it down.

She gave a polite nod. "Ms. Huntington. Ms. Murray."

The surprise on Mia's face froze at the formal address.

She pushed open the car door and walked over to Clara. She wanted to take her hand but felt it would be too forward, so she awkwardly straightened her shawl instead.

"When did you get back?"

"Just yesterday," Clara answered curtly.

"Are you alone? Have you eaten? Look at you..." Mia's brow furrowed as she scanned Clara's face. "You've lost weight."

Clara offered a faint smile but didn't reply.

Wendy, unable to get out of the car easily, leaned out from inside. "Clara, it's been a long time."

Clara responded politely, her gaze shifting past Wendy to the two child safety seats beside her. In them sat a pair of fraternal twins, a boy and a girl, about one or two years old. They were adorable, like a pair of little angels.

She paused, then asked tentatively, "The doctors say he might not make it through the winter. Since we've run into each other, Clara, would you be willing to come see him with me? Just for a few minutes. Even if it's just to humor an old man."

Clara lowered her eyes. "I understand what you're asking, but I can't. Rhys and I are divorced. If I show up now, it will only confuse him more."

Mia was left speechless.

She was right.

Why should Clara have to play along?

"I wasn't thinking clearly. You have your own life now. You shouldn't be disturbed."

Clara wanted to tell the woman who had always been so kind to her that she didn't mean it that way, but she held her tongue.

After a few seconds of hesitation, Mia took out her phone. "Clara, could I have your number? I won't tell Rhys. It'll just be between us. We could chat sometimes, if that's okay?"

After a plea like that, refusing would have been cruel.