The Officer's Runaway Wife & Secret Son novel Chapter 270

He tilted his little head, watching for a while before suddenly speaking.

"Mister, are you a picky eater?"

Rhys glanced at the pile of cilantro he had pushed to the side of his bowl.

He didn't eat cilantro. But Clara loved it, so when they used to eat together, Clara would always pick it out for him.

"Yeah," Rhys smiled at him, admitting it openly. "I don't really like the taste."

Felix nodded sagely. "Oh, I don't like it either. Mommy says it's genetic. I take after my dad."

Next to them, Simon nearly choked to death on his noodles.

Clara placed her spoon back in the bowl. Without changing her expression, she pulled the high chair closer so Felix was facing her sideways, and removed his mask completely. "Alright, eat your food."

Felix wasn't actually that hungry, but he noticed his mother's expression had shifted, so he immediately shut his mouth.

Rhys gripped his utensils tighter, looking down at his noodles. The rising steam made his eyes sting.

He swallowed a mouthful of noodles that tasted like wax before speaking again. "Is that so? Then it seems the child's father... has similar tastes to mine."

His voice was steady, betraying no emotion.

"Just a coincidence," Clara's tone was even colder than his. "Plenty of people in the world don't eat cilantro. It's hardly rare."

Simon recovered his breath and stole a glance at Rhys.

The man's face was expressionless. It was hard to tell if he genuinely didn't catch on, or if being a cop for so long meant he only knew how to follow orders and catch criminals.

But seeing Rhys so calm, Simon decided he was probably overthinking it.

The stone in Clara's heart settled, though a strange, indescribable feeling lingered.

It seemed he really didn't recognize him.

The meal continued with everyone lost in their own thoughts.

After eating, the three returned to the car. This time Simon took the wheel, and Rhys sat in the passenger seat.

Perhaps because of the awkward topic during lunch, the second half of the journey was even more silent.

Finally, the car pulled into the drop-off zone at Everton City Station.

"We're here."

Simon hit the brakes and let out a long sigh of relief. "Thanks, Captain Huntington."

Clara pushed the door open and lifted Felix out.

It wasn't raining in Everton, but the wind was strong.

"Give me the luggage." Rhys took the suitcase from Simon. "It's chaotic here. I'll walk you to the entrance."

He told himself inwardly: "Clara's happiness now was hard-won. She has a good man like Noah and a stable life."

"As long as I don't cross that line and shatter this illusion, she can have her peace."

Rhys said, "Get home safe."

Clara gave a small nod, then turned and passed through the turnstile.

Felix rested his chin on his mother's shoulder as they moved with the crowd.

Looking over the sea of heads, he saw the mister still standing in the same spot.

People rushed past him, hurried and busy, but that man stood alone, watching them.

Felix blinked, then suddenly raised his small hand and waved in that direction.

"Bye-bye, Mister."

He was wearing a mask, so Rhys didn't actually know what the little guy was saying.

But in that moment, his heart felt like it had been hit by a bullet—a heavy, sour pain exploded in his chest.

His vision blurred. He made himself smile, lifted his bandaged hand, and waved back.

"Goodbye, Felix."