The Officer's Runaway Wife and Secret Son novel Chapter 488

Rhys immediately took on all the heavy lifting.

Clara's dad told him to carry less, and while he agreed verbally, he turned around and hoisted both large suitcases, one in each hand.

On the way back, Felix sat on his grandpa's lap, chattering away about the big, bear-shaped snowman he and Rhys had built that morning.

Clara's dad chuckled and played along, while Clara's mom discussed the menus for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with Clara.

Everyone was looking forward to the New Year's Day meal with Mia's family.

Rhys held the steering wheel, his gaze softening as he occasionally glanced in the rearview mirror at the scene inside the car.

His family was in the car.

He thought to himself that perhaps he had truly climbed out of the mire.

The car pulled into the underground garage of Riverside Court, and the group walked toward the elevator, talking and laughing.

The elevator arrived at their floor with a *ding* and the doors slid open.

But the corridor, which should have been empty, was occupied by a woman.

She was wearing a cashmere coat and carrying the latest limited-edition designer bag, pacing back and forth.

Hearing the elevator doors open, the woman immediately turned around.

The laughter died.

It was Veronica West.

Seeing the entire family emerge from the elevator, Veronica was also taken aback.

Her eyes quickly swept over Clara and her parents. When she saw Felix in Clara's dad's arms, her expression turned strange.

Finally, her gaze settled on Rhys, who was at the front of the group.

The door opened, and Clara led her parents and Felix inside, leaving the door slightly ajar.

She didn't care about Veronica, but she cared about Rhys's health. His lungs couldn't handle getting worked up; she had to keep an eye on him.

Only mother and son were left in the hallway.

Veronica looked at the door, which had been deliberately left open, and her face soured.

Were they really going to eavesdrop so blatantly?

A wave of inexplicable irritation washed over Veronica.

She took a deep breath and began to scold him. "Rhys, what is this tantrum all about? Your grandfather just passed away, the family is in chaos, and you don't even show your face. Now, with the New Year upon us, you're bringing these outsiders here to live? Have you forgotten what your last name is?"

In Veronica's dictionary, Clara's parents, Clara herself, and the little boy who should have been calling her 'Grandma' were all "outsiders."

As Rhys heard the word "outsiders" roll so easily off her tongue, he suddenly understood why he had always managed to tolerate her in the past.