The Officer's Runaway Wife & Secret Son novel Chapter 426

Clara emerged from the master bedroom, a packed bag in her hand.

She handed it to him.

"I packed two sets of clean underclothes," Clara said, looking at his bloodshot eyes. "And your medication. I put it all in a daily pill organizer. Don't forget to take it at the hospital."

Rhys let go of Felix, stood up, and took the bag.

He could picture her standing in front of the closet, folding the clothes, carefully portioning out each pill into its compartment.

"Okay," he said, his voice strained. "I'm leaving, then. Call me if anything happens. I'll come back."

Things at the hospital could change at any moment; he couldn't stay home for too long. Now that he had his change of clothes, he had to get back and relieve Mia.

He walked toward the door with the bag. His hand was on the doorknob, but before he could press it down, Clara suddenly spoke from behind him.

"Rhys."

He froze and turned to look at her.

Clara had stopped him, a conflicted expression on her face. She glanced at Felix, clearly wrestling with a decision.

After a long pause, she said, "Give me ten minutes."

Rhys didn't quite understand. "Did you forget to pack something?"

Clara shook her head.

"I'm going to change Felix into something warmer. We're going to the hospital with you."

Rhys's eyes widened, the words hitting him with such force that he couldn't quite process them.

For Clara, the Huntington family was never a connection worth having, and it held no good memories for her.

His grandfather had been indifferent to her, the relatives looked down on her, and she had completely cut ties with that circle. There was no reason for her to go.

Seeing his stunned expression, Clara continued, "No matter what I went through with your family, Felix is still his great-grandson. Under the circumstances, he should be there to see his great-grandfather off."

"And I... I'll go keep Aunt Mia company. It must be chaotic over there. It'll be hard for her to manage alone."

She had also changed into a long, black down jacket, a cashmere scarf wrapped around her neck. Her hair was twisted up neatly in a claw clip, her look simple and fresh.

"Let's go. I'll drive." Clara walked to the door and held out her hand for the car keys. "You've been up all night. You shouldn't be behind the wheel."

Rhys didn't argue. He gave her the keys, picked up the bag, and then effortlessly scooped Felix into his arms. The boy obediently rested his head on his father's shoulder.

Once in the car, Rhys sat in the back with Felix.

The car started and pulled out of the underground garage.

Felix sat quietly, playing with a new puzzle cube. Rhys's gaze, reflected in the rearview mirror, drifted past the seats and settled quietly on Clara's face, her expression focused as she drove.

A sense of peace settled in his heart.

He didn't know if this journey together meant that the chasm that had separated them for four years was slowly beginning to close.

But he knew one thing for certain.

At his most exhausted moment, Clara, just like the girl who had waited for him in the snow all those years ago, had chosen to stand by his side.