The Officer's Runaway Wife & Secret Son novel Chapter 501

Dinner was completely free of the stifling etiquette usually expected in elite billionaire circles.

Rhys sat beside Clara. Across the table, little Nellie suddenly tossed her spoon onto the floor.

Wendy sighed, preparing to bend down, but Rhys was already on his feet. He scooped up the silverware and took it to the kitchen to rinse off.

When he returned, he easily caught Mateo, who was trying to wriggle out of his high chair, and hoisted the toddler into his arms.

The little boy wasn't shy in the slightest, grabbing Rhys's collar with chubby hands.

Rhys's lips curved into a smile.

He couldn't help but wonder what Felix had been like at this age.

He didn't know.

It's okay, he told himself. I'll be here for every day from now on.

He was just about to tease Mateo when a sudden, uncontrollable tickle flared deep in his throat.

His expression tightened. He swallowed the cough down hard, the veins in his neck bulging from the sheer effort of holding it back.

He refused to ruin the holiday dinner for everyone, and he especially refused to worry Clara.

Setting Mateo back in the chair beside Wendy, Rhys pressed a fist to his mouth and hurried toward the bathroom.

The subtle exit went completely unnoticed by the chatting guests, but nothing escaped Clara's eyes.

Watching Rhys vanish around the corner, Clara set down her fork.

Her heartbeat thudded loudly in her ears.

"I'm going to grab some baby wipes for the kids," she announced.

The others were too engrossed in conversation to pay her any mind.

Clara paused outside the bathroom door. The faucet was running on full blast.

She rested her hand on the knob and hesitated.

It wasn't locked. He had either been in too much of a rush, or the sudden coughing fit had left him no time to secure it.

She pushed the door open.

Rhys was hunched over the sink, still coughing in harsh, ragged fits.

The rushing water washed down the drain, but it wasn't clear. A swirl of pale pink was being flushed away.

At the slight sound behind him, Rhys stiffened. The coughing stopped instantly.

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