The Officer's Runaway Wife and Secret Son novel Chapter 578

Simon and Alex were currently bickering over whether to oil the grill or season the steaks first. Their voices grew steadily louder, neither willing to back down.

Daniel was caught in the crossfire, expressionlessly flipping the steaks with a pair of tongs.

He refused to offer any opinions, knowing full well that if he spoke up, the two of them would unite to attack him instead. It simply wasn't worth the headache.

He just focused on the meat.

Flip. Sizzle. Grease popped and hit the glowing charcoal with a satisfying crackle.

Rhys was on fan duty, gently waving a small fan to blow the grill smoke in the opposite direction so it wouldn't choke Clara and Emily.

There was so little he could do these days.

No heavy lifting, no strenuous activity, no greasy BBQ, and absolutely no alcohol.

Even for his wife's birthday, he needed his friends to set the entire stage before he could step in and handle his tiny, insignificant part.

But even if all he could do was fan away smoke and wash fruit—even if all he could do was stand there so Clara could look up and see that he was still by her side—he was willing to do it a thousand times over.

He would do it until his body physically gave out.

Felix stuck to Rhys's legs like a little shadow, occasionally tilting his head back to babble about something, while Rhys looked down and answered with endless patience.

Felix had become incredibly clingy lately.

It started after that last hospital stay. The little guy never said a word about it, but he understood everything.

Aside from when his dad was working or sleeping, Felix absolutely refused to let Rhys out of his sight.

He followed him to the bathroom, followed him to get water. If Rhys stepped out onto the balcony for fresh air, Felix would drag a tiny stool over and sit by the glass door, waiting for him.

Rhys lowered his eyes, gently rubbing the back of Felix's head.

"Dad, doesn't that mountain across the lake look like a giant dinosaur?"

"It does."

"Is it a good dinosaur or a bad dinosaur?"

"A good one. It's watching over us."

"Will it ever leave?"

Rhys crouched down, handing him a freshly grilled hot dog. "No. Mountains never leave."

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