The Officer's Runaway Wife and Secret Son novel Chapter 468

“Dr. Carter.” He nodded at the man on the screen, a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Settling in alright over there?”

The question was casual, and his tone was perfectly polite. But the quiet declaration of his territory was so palpable that even Felix seemed to notice. The boy’s chewing slowed as his eyes darted between his father and the phone screen.

Noah paused for a second on the other end, his smile unwavering. “Very well. The air here is nice, good for research.” He looked at Rhys’s face. “You look like you’re recovering well. You have more color than before.”

“I’m doing great,” Rhys said, spearing another piece of apple for Felix. “Being at home every day, with Clara making sure I take my medicine and Felix being so well-behaved… it’d be hard not to get better.”

Clara couldn’t listen anymore. She reached out and pinched Rhys’s thigh under the table. He didn’t flinch, instead draping his arm over the back of the sofa, loosely encircling her.

Noah took in the entire subtle exchange. “Felix, it’s getting late. I have to get ready to head out. Take your time with the model, and if you get stuck, you can call me again.”

Felix looked a little disappointed but, ever the obedient child, he said, “Okay, Daddy Noah. You go to work. I’ll take a picture for you when I’m done.”

“Be a good boy for your mom, Felix. Clara, take care of yourself. Goodbye.”

Clara replied, “Goodbye,” and the video call ended. The screen went dark, reflecting Rhys’s visibly relieved face.

Clara took the phone from Felix. “Go wash your hands, then you can have more apple.”

Felix obediently ran off, leaving just Clara and Rhys in the living room. Clara turned her head to look at him. Rhys stared intently at the fruit platter, avoiding her gaze.

“Are the apples that interesting?” Clara asked.

Rhys pursed his lips. “The peel didn’t break when I was peeling them,” he offered, completely off-topic.

“Next time, you can just cut them into chunks,” Clara said. “No need for a fancy arrangement.”

“You’re not mad?”

Clara looked at his suddenly docile expression, feeling a sense of helpless affection.

Rhys held her hand. “Every time I learn a new way to be good to you, I can’t help but think that these are all things Noah has already done for you.” He looked up, a clear sense of frustration in his eyes. “Clara, compared to him, I actually feel very insecure.”

Clara was taken aback. Insecure. Hearing that word from Rhys was completely out of character. He had always been so proud and arrogant, always carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders, too proud to explain himself, let alone show weakness.

“Noah is a good man, there’s no denying that,” she said softly. “But if I really wanted that kind of life, I wouldn’t be sitting here right now, eating these messily cut apples.”

The fog of his anxiety and possessiveness lifted, scattered by her simple, powerful words. He pulled Clara into his arms, his embrace tight.

“Mommy, I washed my hands!” The bathroom door slid open, and Felix ran out, shaking water from his hands. Seeing his parents wrapped in a hug on the sofa, he stopped short.

“Oops!” He quickly covered his eyes with his small hands, leaving huge gaps between his fingers. “I didn’t see anything!”