The Officer's Runaway Wife and Secret Son novel Chapter 418

Alex hesitated, glancing at Rhys and then at the sticker in his hand.

He had taken the man's gifts, after all.

And the way his dad had pinned that bad man down earlier was admittedly very cool.

The scales in the little boy's heart tipped back and forth before finally settling on his mother's side.

He put on a stern face again and delivered his final verdict to Rhys. "Even though Mommy spoke up for you and proved you didn't do anything bad, making Mommy cry still deserves a punishment."

Rhys stood up, ready to accept his sentence. "Go on."

"Ten points deducted." Alex held up one finger and wagged it. "You need to reflect on this. From now on, you're not allowed to let anyone tell stories that make Mommy cry."

Rhys looked at the little face, a mirror image of his own as a child, and his heart melted.

He nodded, his attitude perfectly earnest. "Okay, Daddy accepts the punishment. I'll reflect on it."

A deduction was better than being kicked out of the game entirely.

After the commotion, neither the adults nor the child had any interest in playing anymore. The three of them left the children's play area and went to a nearby mall for lunch.

Rhys was busy the whole time—getting them drinks, putting food on Alex's plate.

When he peeled a shrimp, he no longer placed it directly in Clara's bowl but first asked if she wanted it.

When Clara shook her head, he gave it to Alex.

After lunch, they returned to Riverside Court. It was just past two.

Alex had been running around all morning. Being a child, his energy couldn't keep up, and he was already getting drowsy in the car. As soon as they got inside, the little guy didn't even want to take off his shoes, flopping onto the sofa, ready to sleep.

Clara carried him to the children's room, changed his clothes, and tucked him in.

Alex mumbled something drowsily, turned over, and fell fast asleep, hugging his stuffed animal.

When she came out, Rhys had taken off his jacket and gestured toward the master bedroom.

"I'm going to take a shower. I'm a bit sweaty."

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