The Officer's Runaway Wife & Secret Son novel Chapter 252

"I'm not sad, truly," Clara said, squeezing Emily's hand back. "I'm happy for you. You chose the right man, and he only has eyes for you."

Thinking of that departing figure from years ago still caused a dull ache in Clara's heart.

She felt regret, and pity.

But it was a mourning for her lost youth, no longer anything to do with love.

Daniel finished with the carpet and waved them over.

"Let's go." Clara took a deep breath, suppressing the bittersweet emotions, and linked arms with Emily. "The groom seems satisfied. Time for your rehearsal walk, my beautiful bride."

-

Brighton Wetlands Park.

Located far from the city center, the park wasn't particularly lush by northern standards, so tourists were scarce.

Vast patches of reeds had turned yellow, rising and falling in the autumn wind like waves of gold.

A wooden boardwalk wound along the water's surface. Felix held a small bag of breadcrumbs, leaning against the railing as he sprinkled them into the water bit by bit.

A flock of mallards scrambled for the food, while the occasional egret, startled from the reeds, flapped its wings and skimmed across the lake.

"That fat one eats too much."

Felix furrowed his small brows, pointing at a particularly large duck with dissatisfaction. "He keeps pushing the others away."

"That is nature. Survival of the fittest," Noah said, standing behind him with one arm securely around the boy’s waist to keep him from leaning over too far.

Felix threw a piece of bread toward a scrawny duckling near the edge. "But I want to feed the skinny one."

Noah paused, then laughed softly. "Alright then. We'll feed that one."

The breadcrumbs were soon gone.

"Noah," Felix turned his head, his voice muffled and nasally through the mask. "The ducks are full. I'm hungry too."

They looked familiar. Those deep-set eyes... they didn't look like Noah's.

They looked like... who was it again?

Dr. Warren searched his memory. The name was on the tip of his tongue, but he couldn't quite place it.

"And this is?" Dr. Warren pointed at Felix, his tone hesitant. "A relative's child? He looks very... sturdy."

He wanted to say cute, but given the boy’s "secret agent" disguise, he was at a loss for words.

Noah felt a small hand grip the back of his shirt tightly.

Felix didn't like being stared at by strangers.

Noah bent down and scooped Felix up into his arms, his large hand covering the back of the boy’s head and pressing the small face against his shoulder.

"Not a relative's child." Noah spoke clearly, enunciating every word. "This is my son."