The Officer's Runaway Wife & Secret Son novel Chapter 380

An announcement echoed through the terminal: the flight from Heron Bay had landed.

A short while later, a wave of people began to pour through the arrivals gate.

Clara stood on her toes, scanning the crowd for familiar faces.

"Mommy!"

A clear, childish voice cut through the noise.

Clara turned toward the sound and saw a small figure in a thick, yellow down coat, looking like a round little bundle, sprinting toward her.

Behind him were Simon, pushing a luggage cart, and her parents, supporting each other as they walked.

Clara rushed forward and knelt, catching Felix as he threw himself into her arms.

The little boy was chilly from the outside air, but his face was warm as he hugged her neck, nuzzling against her.

"Mommy, I missed you so much! Daddy Simon said we're coming to Brighton City for the winter and we're going to see a big snowman!"

Clara held her son tightly, her eyes welling up. "I missed you too, Felix."

She looked up at her parents as they approached.

Clara's mom's eyes were still a little red, but she was smiling as she reached out to touch Clara's face.

"Good, you haven't lost any weight."

Clara took her mother's hand and pressed it against her cheek. "Mom, I'm okay."

Simon handed her Orange's pet carrier, affecting a lighthearted tone. "Alright, alright, let's not get all sentimental in the middle of the airport. Everyone's watching. Let's go, this cat's about to freeze."

Clara laughed through her tears and stood up. "Let's go to the hotel first."

As they walked toward the parking garage, Clara's dad fell back to walk with Simon.

He watched his daughter's slender back and asked in a low voice, "Is he still in the hospital?"

Simon nodded. "He is. Clara hired a caregiver for him."

"How is he?"

Simon hesitated.

Honestly, it was hard to define Rhys's current condition.

On one hand, he seemed fine. After his fever broke, you couldn't even tell he was sick, aside from a persistent cough and shortness of breath. He was otherwise no different from a normal person.

On the other hand, the lung damage was irreversible. No one knew when he might collapse again.

Seeing the conflicted look on Simon's face, Clara's dad simply nodded and said no more.

In the car, after some thought, Clara's dad spoke up. "Clara, contact the real estate agent. Let's take back our old house on Oakridge Avenue."

"Let him see him. In case… he won't get the chance later."

Clara's dad handed her the peeled orange. "You're a mother now, and you can make your own decisions. But don't make them for your child."

Clara took the orange, the slightly bitter scent of the pith filling her nose.

After a long moment, she stood up and walked over to Felix, crouching beside him. "Felix, stop playing. Go get your coat on."

Felix looked up. "Are we going to the hospital?"

"Yes."

Felix seemed excited. "Is Mr. Huntington all better?"

The hopeful look in her son's eyes was a sharp pang in Clara's heart.

She shook her head, forcing a smile.

"Not yet. That's why we're going to the hospital to see him."

Clara paused, then finally asked the question that had been weighing on her mind, the one she hadn't dared to voice.

"Felix, when you see your uncle… do you think you could… call him 'Dad'?"

Felix's smile vanished.