The Officer's Runaway Wife & Secret Son novel Chapter 327

It wasn't the first time he'd been tight-lipped, and Claire didn't need his response. She just opened the door.

With a click, a heavy weight from outside came tumbling in.

Before Claire could take a step, three figures, stacked on top of each other, crashed onto the study's carpet.

"Ow! You're crushing me!"

"Don't move! My leg! Get off my leg!"

"Ouch…"

Claire stared.

Simon was at the bottom of the pile with Alex on his back. As Alex tried to get up, he unbalanced Felix, who was straddling his neck.

Claire looked down at the heap of people on the floor, her expression blank.

Ignoring his aching back, Simon patted the doorframe and let out a dry laugh. "Well, this door... has great soundproofing, really. I was just thinking of getting one for Winston Turner's office..."

Alex quickly scrambled to his feet, chiming in through gritted teeth, "Right, right, great quality. We didn't hear a thing just now."

Only Felix was clever enough to see the writing on the wall. He rolled on the floor, scrambled up, covered his ears, and scurried behind Simon.

Claire ignored them and walked right past the pileup at the door.

Her footsteps faded away, followed by a sigh from the top of the stairs before disappearing onto the first floor.

The remaining people in the study exchanged glances.

Simon pushed himself up against the wall, his playful expression gone. His gaze on Rhys was complicated.

"You heard her?" he said coolly, not mincing words. "Some things don't need to be spelled out. Rhys, you should leave."

Rhys stood frozen, his voice hoarse. "Will she really say yes?"

Simon raised an eyebrow, deliberately vague. "Noah even showed me the ring. Nice design. People have hearts. If you were in her shoes, you'd be tempted too."

Alex tugged at Simon, signaling for them to leave.

Simon huffed and turned to go, but then noticed Felix hadn't moved.

Simon, pleased with what he heard, slung an arm around Alex. "Let's go."

He tried to pick up Felix, but the little boy refused, saying Rhys was taller and insisting Rhys carry him.

Simon sighed and let the little master have his way.

In the dining room, no one had much of an appetite. What was said in the study had been a double-edged sword.

Claire had cut Rhys open, but in doing so, she'd torn open her own healing wounds.

The sound of footsteps shuffled down from upstairs.

Simon and Alex led the way, pointedly discussing the forecast for the upcoming week.

Rhys followed behind, carrying Felix in his arms.

Claire was about to speak when she saw the little head lean close to Rhys's ear and whisper, "You should put me down. I'm heavy. It'll hurt your injuries."

Rhys's arm visibly stiffened for a moment before he complied, bending down to place the child on the floor.