Claire began. Owen was waiting with bated breath.
"Her dad is a man named Andrew Gardner. We met in August 2015, and we adopted Sydney in April 2016. So, life went well, a good triangle.. until September 2016."
While Owen would certainly take time to come to terms with the fact that Claire had met someone just one month after the very month they parted ways, the mention of 'until' made him curious.
"I came home at nearly 8. It was a Sunday. Sydney had a lot of fun that week and was asleep from 4 am to 9 pm. I found her sleeping cosily, but couldn't find Andrew. He used to reach home by 7:45, so I thought that he must be stuck up with something. But I found a message on my phone."
She continued, tears starting to form in her eyes. Owen was shattered.
"He told me that he had got a promotion in Houston, and had taken it. While he didn't tell me before, I certainly wouldn't have gone with him even if he had told me."
Owen felt anger rising inside him at this man. To just leave your wife and your not-even-a-year-old child may not be a crime by the law books, but was worse than many that were.
"This was heavy. I shouldn't have.." Claire began wiping off her tears.
Owen then did something unimaginable. He stood up, bent over, and gently wiped off Claire's tears, even as she looked on, rather surprised.
"Don't worry. I asked for it."
They both smiled, and then Owen decided to bring some fun.
"Seriously.. Claire Dearing, Super Mom."
"Really Owen?" Claire stared at him. "You need to work on that catchphrase."
"I'm serious! I don't know how you managed everything..." as the life of the woman Owen thought he fully knew unfolded like anything in front of him at light speed.
"If you have the determination, nothing can stop you. Plus Mr. Masrani was also very cooperative."
"So you're also a Hallmark card writer."
"Shut up."
Owen's sense of humour kept them busy laughing and then they left. They reached home at about 10. Owen wanted to walk some distance to Claire's apartment. But of course that required the consent of the lady herself.
"You mind if we walk that small distance? I mean, if you want to."
"I think I do." Claire replied soflty with a smile that was even softer. They walked the distance, and it certainly helped that it was a calm night, as Owen narrated his experiences in the Navy which Claire curiously listened to. Plus, their hands were locked even before they knew it, and Claire was rather pleasantly surprised.
When they finally reached the lobby, their hands separated, and Claire turned to Owen.
"Thanks for telling me everything," Owen finally said, breaking a rather awkward silence only filled with some tiny and soft laughs.
"Well you asked for it."
It didn't take long for Owen to slowly grab her waist, move his head down and give her a kiss. The calm night made it even more passionate, and they both had a smile on their face when they parted.
"Bye Owen."
"Bye Claire."
And as Owen left in his car, and Claire went up and saw Sydney fast asleep, she got into her bed, thinking of just that one man that was Owen Grady.
YOU ARE READING
Clawen - Season 3
RomanceOwen is shocked to learn that Claire had a daughter amidst all the world-changing events, and he didn't even know of her. Plus, she had Sydney with someone else, showing that maybe she loved someone more than Owen. However, nothing stops Owen from b...
