The Officer's Runaway Wife and Secret Son novel Chapter 395

By the time she left Oakridge Avenue again, the sky had gone completely dark. Clara pulled a suitcase with one hand and held onto the energetic little boy with the other. Felix was hugging a cat carrier, and Orange was meowing inside. She hadn't let her parents see her off, telling them she needed to look after a patient, but a parent's heart is never truly at ease. Clara's mom hesitated. "That one… is he feeling any better?" Clara gave her usual, noncommittal response. Her mom sighed. "Well, you just be careful."

Since they were moving in for a while, they were missing a lot of things. The two of them first went to a large nearby supermarket. Clara pushed a shopping cart while Felix trotted alongside her on his short legs, occasionally tossing a snack he liked into the cart. They bought a child's toothbrush, towels, and body wash. They bought cat litter and canned food for Orange. Then they went to the fresh produce section to pick out some vegetables and a pork loin. Felix pointed at the strawberries and said he wanted some. Clara hadn't eaten strawberries in a long time. She stared at them for a moment before picking up a carton. At checkout, the shopping bags were filled to the brim. Everything inside was a necessity for her and Felix; not a single item was for that man.

Returning to Riverside Court, the feeling of oppression crept back in. Clara parked the car, and holding Felix's hand, she carried two large bags upstairs. At the entryway, there were two new pairs of slippers, one large and one small, one pink and one blue. They were clearly meant for them. Felix put the cat carrier on the floor. Orange let out a "meow," slipped into the living room hugging the wall, and vanished in an instant.

The sound of the range hood came from the kitchen. Clara changed her shoes and walked over to see. A fish was sizzling in a pan. On the counter were several plastic bags, all from grocery delivery: vegetables, seafood, meat cutlets, and a pile of bottled seasonings. Rhys was standing at the sink, hunched over. Hearing her, he turned around, a handful of freshly washed asparagus still in his hand. "You're back." He spoke first, his words carrying an indescribable familiarity, just like his daily greetings after work during those years in the past.

Felix peeked out from behind Clara and called out, "Daddy! What are you making?" The sound of his voice made Rhys's features soften. "I bought some groceries. I'm pan-frying some fish for you, how does that sound?" Clara ignored them. She carried her own ingredients into the kitchen, pushed his things aside to clear a space, and began unpacking her items one by one. "Just make your own portion. I'll cook for myself and Felix."

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