The Officer's Runaway Wife & Secret Son novel Chapter 378

"It could be years, or it could be days. They can't say for sure."

The hose slipped from his hand, thudding softly on the ground. It took Clara’s dad a moment to react before he bent down to pick it up, coiling it and hanging it on its rack.

Clara’s mom stood there, her face ashen.

"Then let him die!"

She suddenly swore, her voice sharp. "Let him die his own death! What does that have to with our Clara? Why should she have to stay there and watch over him? Hasn't he made her suffer enough? He decides to come looking for her now? Where was he before?"

The anger and hatred were overwhelming.

Four years ago, their daughter had been forced to flee the country, nearly losing her life. Where was that man then? Now that he was on his deathbed, he wanted to trap their daughter by his side. What kind of justice was that?

But no matter how much she cursed, no matter how much she hated him, he was still Felix’s biological father. He was the unresolved knot in her daughter's heart that she had never been able to untie.

When a person dies, it's like a lamp going out.

In the face of that final breath, all the old grudges and heartaches didn't seem to matter as much.

Simon moved to support Clara's mom, rubbing her back to soothe her.

"Aunt, please, calm down," he urged. "Clara didn't want you to worry, she told me not to say anything. But I figured this wasn't something we could hide."

"Hide what?" Clara's mom's voice trembled. "Is she an idiot? Trying to handle this all by herself? She can't even watch a horror movie alone. What if he really dies in front of her one day? She'll be scared to death!"

Clara's dad had been silent. When his wife's tirade finally subsided, he spoke.

"Simon, book the tickets."

Simon blinked. "Tickets for what?"

"To Brighton City."

Clara's dad clasped his hands behind his back and looked up at the vast blue sky. "If Clara can't come back, then we'll go to her."

Clara's mom was about to protest again. "You old fool!"

"The grudges between adults are for adults. The child is innocent," Clara's dad said, forcing a cheerful smile. "If things are really that bad, we'll just consider it taking Felix to see him one last time. It’s only right, for a father and son."

The mention of a final goodbye crushed all remaining anger, leaving only a sense of weary resignation.

"What about Daddy Noah?" Felix asked. "And Uncle Huntington? Is he with Mommy too?"

Simon looked into the boy's clear eyes, his heart aching.

"They're all there." Simon patted his head. "Dad is sick. Do you want to go see him, Felix?"

Felix pressed his lips together and nodded. Orange, the cat in his arms, let out a soft "meow."

"Then we'll bring Orange with us." Simon grabbed the cat carrier. "I've already called your preschool and told them you'll be out. We're starting our winter break early."

"Then I have to bring my Legos," Felix said, running to his room. "Uncle Huntington said he's going to buy me a new set. I want to build it for him to see."

The family bustled around, packing until it was dark.

Their flight was booked for early the next morning, landing around noon.

Before bed, the main lights in the living room were turned off, leaving only a single floor lamp lit.

Clara's dad sat on the sofa, holding his reading glasses and his phone. The screen lit up, then went dark, then lit up again.