The Officer's Runaway Wife & Secret Son novel Chapter 274

In truth, Noah didn't doubt Rhys's feelings for Clara.

But everyone makes their own choices, and choices are often irreversible.

Rhys made the wrong choice back then, and now he had to pay the price.

"I know," Noah replied. "I've been taking care of them for almost four years."

Rhys paused.

Right, four years.

That was days and nights of companionship, countless mornings and dusks together. Noah knew Clara's current preferences better than he did, and knew how to make that child happy.

His rambling here was a bit presumptuous.

"That's good."

He smiled and stood up to leave.

After taking two steps, he stopped again, keeping his back to Noah. His voice drifted over on the wind.

"Also, don't let her see news about Brighton City. Especially about me. Save her the annoyance."

Noah watched his figure disappear behind the inpatient building doors and sighed softly.

He didn't tell Rhys that Clara wasn't as fragile as he imagined, nor did she hate him that much.

He looked up at the gray sky.

When a lie is told a thousand times, sometimes even the liar starts to believe it.

But he knew clearly that in the new family portrait at Heron Bay, the spot belonging to the father was still blank.

He was just a gatekeeper, guarding that empty seat, ensuring no one else took it.

...

From Everton to the bullet train, then a taxi to Heron Bay... by the time they returned to The Ivory House at Harbor Loop, it was already past midnight.

"Finally home."

Simon, afraid of waking the rest of the household, gently tossed the suitcase into the entryway and collapsed onto the sofa. "That trip was brutal. My bones are falling apart."

He waved his hand weakly, signaling Clara to get Felix washed up.

Felix had slept the whole way in the car, so entering the house actually woke him up.

Clara stood up and hung the small jacket she had taken off onto a hanger.

"Probably not."

Clara turned around and switched off the nightlight.

She answered in the darkness, speaking as much to herself as to the child.

"The police officer has to catch bad guys. He's very busy. We don’t live the same kind of life as he does, so we shouldn’t keep bothering him."

"Oh..." Felix responded with disappointment, rolling over and hugging his small blanket. "Okay then. I hope the mister gets well soon."

After soothing the child to sleep, Clara walked out of the room, feeling exhausted to her core.

She sat on the terrace for a while, the sea breeze feeling chilly.

The image of Rhys's back flickered in her mind.

Let it be.

He could be his hero in his Brighton City, and she would live her quiet life with her child in Heron Bay.

Some people are only meant to pass through your life. Let him stay in the past, and let her keep walking forward.