The Officer's Runaway Wife and Secret Son novel Chapter 477

Clara's dad, his eyes red, gripped Rhys's arm tightly.

"Good… good boy. It's good you're back."

Clara stood to the side, watching as Rhys patiently soothed her parents and as Felix basked in his grandmother's embrace.

"Let's go inside," she said. "It's windy and cold out here."

Once inside, Clara's dad wiped his eyes with the back of his hand and turned toward the liquor cabinet in the living room.

It was the glass door he rarely opened, the one holding his prized collection.

He pulled a mahogany box from the very back. Clara's mom, holding Felix, saw what her husband was doing but didn't try to stop him.

"Go wash your hands. I'll heat up the food and whip up a couple more side dishes to go with the drinks."

She set Felix down and went into the kitchen, secretly wiping a tear from the corner of her eye as she turned away.

The mahogany box was placed on the dining table. Clara's dad unfastened the metal latch and took out a bottle of liquor.

It was an aged bottle he had treasured for over twenty years.

From Clara getting into college, to her wedding, to the birth of Felix, he had always said he would open it for New Year's or a major family celebration, but he had never touched it.

"Rhys, what happened today… you're not to blame."

"Dad, I…"

Clara's dad waved his hand, cutting him off. He took two small ceramic cups and filled them to the brim. The rich, mellow aroma of the liquor filled the small dining room.

Clara frowned slightly as she looked at the bottle on the table.

The doctor had warned him repeatedly to avoid alcohol and cigarettes, but today was different. They all needed some kind of anchor.

She said nothing, pulling out a chair and sitting down beside Rhys.

Clara's dad raised his cup, his voice still thick with emotion.

"This afternoon, I lost Felix. My heart felt like it was being fried in oil. Your mother and I only have one daughter, Clara, and Clara only has this one son. For the past few years, Felix has been her life, and our life too."

He looked at Rhys, his eyes full of feeling. "Let's not talk about the past. The pain Clara suffered, the hardships you endured… you've both gotten through them over these years."

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