The Officer's Runaway Wife & Secret Son novel Chapter 328

"It doesn't hurt," he replied in a low voice.

Once Felix's feet touched the ground, he scurried on his short legs over to Claire and hugged her thigh. "Mommy, I brought the mister downstairs."

Claire looked down into her son's clear, dark eyes.

Even though everyone already knew the truth, Felix still called him "mister," and she wasn't sure who he was trying to spare.

Claire ruffled his hair. "Good boy. Go sit down."

Rhys stood on the last step of the staircase, looking at her from a few feet away. His gaze lingered on her face for a moment before he forced himself to look away.

"I'm leaving," he said.

Claire turned to ladle some soup, not looking back. "The front door's unlocked. You can see yourself out."

Noah, who had been quiet the whole time, picked up his car keys.

"Perfect timing. I'm leaving too."

"You're not eating?" Claire asked.

Noah shook his head. "Emily just messaged me. She and Daniel are already waiting for me at the airport."

He then looked at Rhys. "Your car is probably still at the kindergarten, right? If you don't mind, you can ride with me. I'll drop you off on the way."

Claire frowned. "No, it's fine. Simon's not doing anything, he can take him."

Simon, still rubbing his lower back, was about to pipe up with an "I can do it," but a look from Noah silenced him.

"Don't make a fuss. It's on my way," Noah said gently to Claire, his eyes flicking almost imperceptibly toward Rhys. "Besides, I wanted to talk to him about his condition at the hospital these past few days. There are some precautions that are better coming from a doctor."

Claire pressed her lips together and didn't insist. "Then drive safe."

"I will." Noah looked into her eyes, unafraid despite Rhys's presence. "This forum lasts for two weeks, and I have some handover work to do at the hospital. I probably won't be back in Heron Bay for about half a month."

Claire understood his meaning.

Noah leaned in slightly, bringing his gaze level with hers.

"Claire, take these two weeks and think it over. When I get back, I hope to have your answer."

In her peripheral vision, the dark figure remained motionless.

Claire heard herself give a dry reply, "Okay. I'll wait for you to come back."

Felix leaned in and whispered quickly, in a voice only the two of them could hear, "You have to fight for it."

Rhys froze in his kneeling position, completely stunned.

Before he could react, Felix had already stepped back, put on a serious face, and switched to a business-like tone. "Officer, thank you for scaring away the bad kids today! See you next time!"

After shouting this, he turned and ran back to the dining room without a backward glance, burying his head in Claire's arms and refusing to look out again.

Rhys remained kneeling for several seconds before slowly standing up.

What if there was no next time?

He didn't dare to think about it.

Noah got into the car and rolled down the window. "Get in."

The car quickly left Harbor Loop.

Claire sat in the dining room, looking out at the yard through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

With Rhys gone and Noah off on business, life would return to its quiet rhythm, with just her and Felix.