Try Begging - Chapter 175.2
Leaning against the back of an empty sedan, positioned to block Grace’s view, Leon rummaged through the inside pocket of his suit jacket. A moment later, he pulled out a cigar case, leisurely taking one out and cutting the end before handing it to Campbell.
Campbell, waiting for the officer to cut his own cigar, lit his first before igniting his own.
“With ten years of experience in the rebellion, I’ve never apprehended any figure this meticulously.”
The officer chuckled lightly. It had been over a year.
As the major took a drag, the hollows in his already thin cheeks deepened even further. He exhaled slowly, white smoke swirling away in the sea breeze. This wasn’t a celebration; it was merely a ritual to ease the tension while waiting for the right moment.
Campbell knew that despite the major’s calm appearance, he understood the gravity of the situation.
Just yesterday morning, Campbell had received the call to move to Newport for the last ship heading to Columbia. Only then did he realize that the woman had been spotted in the capital. That afternoon, the major canceled all of his plans and made his way to Newport.
Ironically, the woman who needed to board the ship was the last to arrive. Where had she boarded the train? Her whereabouts hadn’t been confirmed at any station in the kingdom—it was as if she had magically appeared from a night train early that morning.
After a long chase, she was finally in view.
But all he could do was watch.
This was the same woman who had managed to easily slip away from the train station before, despite her being fully watched.
“Don’t touch her until the trap door closes.”
He intended to approach only after she had boarded and the ship had set sail. Once isolated in the vast ocean, there would be no way for her to escape.
He had instructed the departure control to allow her passage. To prevent her from becoming suspicious and fleeing, he had strategically deployed personnel from the departure area all the way to the economy class section she had reserved.
The reason the major hadn’t boarded the ship earlier was, of course, to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances. Once on board, it would be difficult to make a swift escape or receive reports if something unexpected occurred.
After several missed opportunities in the past, he had calculated and prepared for every possible scenario. Yet, the woman boarded the ship without the slightest hint of suspicion.
Though the economy and first-class sections were strictly separated, this was the woman in question. To avoid crossing paths with her during the journey, he had deliberately delayed his own entry—just as he had done throughout the year-long pursuit.
Beep-Beep.
A short blast from a whistle, followed by a longer one, echoed from the deck. It signaled that she had entered the cabin.
Leon immediately dropped the cigar he had been smoking and pulled a pair of sunglasses from the front pocket of his suit jacket.
Tilting his fedora forward to shield his face, he made his way toward the docked ship. The hem of his trench coat fluttered in the sea breeze, and his hand, buried deep in his pocket, kept brushing against the ring. Leon reflected on his decision as he handed the now-damp boarding pass to the crew member.
He would go to the land of freedom that Grace had so desperately desired, even while they remained ensnared together.
A trap.
Leon chuckled softly.
As he approached the entrance for first-class passengers, the ship began to look more like an escape route than a trap.
º º º
When Grace opened the cabin door, a smile spread across her face.
“It’s nicer than I expected.”
The room was far more pleasant and luxurious than she had anticipated. She had thought only the hallway would be impressive, but the cabin was well-decorated, too. The deep brown bed with a reddish tint, paired with a dark green sofa adorned with silver embroidery, was separated by a small sink in the middle.
She flipped on the lights with a switch by the door and pushed the stroller inside. Although it was a single room, it should be sufficient for her and the baby to stay for a few days.
“Should I ask if they have a crib?”
She mumbled to herself as she sat on the single bed, which felt surprisingly plush. Lifting Ellie, who was sucking her thumb and babbling, she gently moved her from the stroller to the bed.
“Isn’t it cozy?”
However, the baby seemed indifferent to the new bed and crawled over to cling to her instead.
“Auauah.”
With her brows furrowed, Ellie babbled as if complaining to her mother.
‘How could you do this to me, Mom!’
It was clear what she meant.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
