The Officer's Runaway Wife and Secret Son novel Chapter 414

A smile spread across Rhys’s face. Looking at the popped balloons on the wall, he felt a strange surge of pride. For a kid this small, whose arm strength hadn't fully developed, to have such good aim—he was even better than Rhys had been at that age.

"That's amazing," Rhys praised, heading over to the staff counter to redeem the points for a small prize.

Felix, glowing from the compliment, eagerly turned to find Clara, his expression filled with the unique pride of a little boy who has impressed his mother. It was a look she never saw when he correctly solved a math problem or recognized a new word.

Clara’s heart softened. She smiled. "That was very accurate. You did great."

Suddenly, an older boy, about eight or nine, rushed over. He was holding a large, Gatling-style toy gun and barreling through the crowd. As he swung his arm, the gun's barrel slammed into Felix's shoulder.

Felix pressed his lips together but didn't make a sound. The boy didn't even glance at Felix, let alone apologize. Annoyed that his own gun was too heavy and clumsy, his eyes landed on the camouflage rifle in Felix’s hands, and he reached out to snatch it.

"I want to play with that," the boy demanded, his voice loud and entitled.

Felix held on tight. "I had it first."

Without another word, the boy kicked the wooden box Felix was standing on. The box wobbled, and Felix lost his balance, pitching forward.

Clara was about to grab him when a dark figure shot past her. Rhys rushed in, catching Felix with one arm and pulling him into a protective embrace.

Seeing that he'd failed to get the gun and that the smaller boy was now being held by an adult, the older boy grew furious. He raised his heavy toy gun and swung it at Felix. "Give it to me! I want that gun!"

Rhys's eyes darkened. He shot his hand out and intercepted the toy gun as it came down. With a twist of his wrist, he disarmed the boy and tossed the sizable toy onto the counter.

"Hey! What do you think you're doing, grabbing my son's toy? A grown man picking on a kid, have you no shame?"

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