The Officer's Runaway Wife and Secret Son novel Chapter 410

“You met her when she was at her most reckless, when all she wanted was to love someone. You took the best part of her, and all you left for anyone else was a hole that could never be filled.”

Rhys sat in silence. The coffee had long gone cold.

Noah was right about everything.

He had taken advantage of Clara’s fearless devotion, possessed her best years, and then worn that passion down to nothing.

On this matter, he couldn't blame Veronica West or Margot. It was all his fault.

Margot was right. No one had forced him. Every choice had been his own.

He had ruined Clara's past.

Noah leaned back against his chair, his expression more serious than ever.

“Rhys, what you owe her in this lifetime… you could never repay it, not even if you worked like an animal for the rest of your life.”

Rhys lowered his head, staring at his distorted, blurry reflection in the tea.

“I know,” he said. “I’ll start now. And if I can’t finish in this life, I’ll continue in the next.”

Noah said nothing more.

They finished their meals in silence.

When it was time to pay, Rhys reached for his wallet, but Noah stopped him.

He said, “This one’s on me. A… farewell drink, I guess.”

They walked out of the izakaya, and the cold air enveloped them again.

Noah didn’t let Rhys see him off, hailing a cab by the roadside himself.

Before opening the car door, he paused and looked back at Rhys, who was standing under a streetlight.

This man had once worn a police uniform, his eyes sharp and fearless. Now, those same eyes were filled with heavy burdens and an exhaustion that wouldn't fade.

He sighed. “Don’t make her cry again.”

The taxi’s taillights turned a corner and disappeared from sight.

That was the last thing Noah said to him.

A dull ache started in his lungs again, spreading all the way to his heart.

Rhys didn’t call for a ride. Riverside Court wasn’t too far from here, about a half-hour walk.

He walked into the wind, hoping the cold winter night would clear his head.

He walked slowly along the sidewalk. There were few pedestrians, just the occasional couple huddled together, hurrying past.

As he passed an intersection, a flower shop that was still open caught his eye.

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