The Officer's Runaway Wife & Secret Son novel Chapter 430

"Clara, you know everything, so how can you come back with the child?" Margot said with a smirk. "Are you trying to get back into the Huntington family? You've experienced what they're like. Even if Aunt Mia has power, she's only one person. The others won't let you in."

Clara couldn't be bothered to respond.

Engaging with a lunatic who survived on lies and pity was a waste of her energy.

"She doesn't need to get into the Huntington family. I'll just leave it."

A calm male voice came from beside them.

Clara's steps faltered.

Rhys walked down the steps from the inpatient building's lobby. Without a glance at the other family of three, he went straight to Clara's side.

He picked up Felix and looked down at Clara. "The people upstairs won't be leaving anytime soon. You two go home first. I'll come back and find you after I've handled things here."

Clara looked into his bloodshot but focused eyes.

He was no longer pushing her away or resorting to silence when problems arose, as he had in the past.

In front of the very people who had once hurt them, he had clearly stated his position, no longer retreating, no longer evading.

He was really learning.

"Okay," Clara replied. "Don't be too late. I'll wait for you to come home for dinner."

The words were as simple as a common morning farewell, yet they carried a completely different weight.

A smile touched Rhys's lips, softening the hard lines of his face.

"Yeah, soon," he promised.

Clara took Felix from his arms. The little boy rested his head on his mother's shoulder and waved a small hand at Rhys.

"Bye-bye, Daddy. Come home soon."

Rhys ruffled his son's head through the thick wool hat.

"Goodbye. Listen to your mother."

As the two headed toward the elevator, Rhys stood his ground, watching Clara until her back disappeared from view.

He turned back to face Veronica West and Eric, his previously gentle gaze turning ice-cold.

Eric chuckled. "Rhys, it's always wise to leave yourself some room to maneuver. Brighton City isn't what it used to be."

There were two elevators in the lobby.

Eric, Veronica West, and the ever-silent Margot stood in front of the one on the left.

Rhys didn't join them. He walked to the one on the right and pressed the up button.

"Are we even taking separate elevators now?" Veronica West couldn't help but ask, her tone laced with displeasure.

Rhys turned his head, his gaze sweeping calmly over her.

"It's too crowded."

With a ding, the elevator doors opened. Rhys stepped inside and immediately pressed the close button.

He stared at his own reflection on the polished wall of the car.

In this so-called family, he had always been the odd one out.

He used to wonder why his own flesh and blood could be so cruel to him.

Now that he finally understood, he no longer cared.