The Officer's Runaway Wife & Secret Son novel Chapter 257

By evening, the group had gathered in Clara and Felix's suite.

Empty wine bottles were scattered across the coffee table amidst a pile of gifts.

"Who sent this one? Are they broke? Next time he gets married, I'm sending him two scratch-off lottery tickets!"

Emily was slightly tipsy, completely abandoning her dignified bridal image as she insisted on re-inspecting the wedding gifts.

Simon was tapping away furiously on his phone's calculator. "That's from the vice-president of your college sorority. The guy is paying off a mortgage and raising two kids; it’s a miracle he showed up at all. Are you really going to hold a grudge over peanuts?"

Emily waved her hand dismissively. "This is the fruit of my labor!"

"Yes, yes, you worked hard, the hardest." Simon perfunctorily shoved the gifts aside.

Little Felix sat on Noah’s lap, his head nodding as he struggled to keep his eyes open.

He was genuinely exhausted.

That afternoon, Daddy Noah had taken him to the Science Center. The exhibits there were massive compared to the ones in Heron Bay, and the lights and models had him so excited that they stayed until closing time.

But he refused to give in to sleep, forcing his heavy eyelids open, wanting to listen to the adults talk.

"Felix?"

Noah looked down, catching the boy's forehead just as his head dipped again.

Felix grunted softly, found a comfortable position against Noah's chest, and went still.

Clara set down her wine glass, stood up, and walked over, lowering her voice. "Give him to me. I'll put him to bed."

Noah carefully passed the child into her arms.

Felix was nearly four and getting heavy. Clara’s arms dipped slightly under the weight.

Sleeping in a haze, the little boy felt the familiar embrace and scent. His short arms instinctively wrapped around Clara's neck, his warm cheek nuzzling into her neck.

"I'm going to tuck him in."

Clara nodded to the group and carried him into the bedroom.

While she changed him into his pajamas, he remained perfectly still, a sleepy weight in her hands as she guided his arms and legs through the fabric.

Clara kissed his forehead and pulled the duvet up to his chin.

"Sleep tight, baby."

Clara sniffled, fighting back tears, and silently apologized in her heart.

I should be the one shielding you from the wind and rain.

In the living room, Emily had finished counting her cash. Simon was chatting with her about honeymoon plans, relentlessly recommending a trip to Scandinavia to see the Northern Lights.

While the couple bickered playfully, Daniel stood up, walked to the minibar, poured two glasses of red wine, and headed for the balcony.

As he passed Noah, he didn't stop, just tilted his head slightly toward the door.

Some understandings are unspoken among men. Noah put down his phone, stood up, and followed him out.

The autumn night in Brighton City was biting cold.

Daniel leaned against the railing and handed one of the glasses to Noah.

"This is good stuff. Opened it at noon, should be breathed perfectly by now."

Before them lay the artificial lake. In the dead of night, the water was a pitch-black void, and the distant mountains merged into the darkness, their outlines lost.

Noah was born and raised in Brighton City, yet he suddenly found the scenery oppressive, far inferior to the open skies of Heron Bay.