The Officer's Runaway Wife and Secret Son novel Chapter 540

When Felix didn't answer, Rhys continued.

"But Felix, my dad couldn't come back because he died in the line of duty. Mom left with you because I made the wrong choice and broke her heart. Neither of those things had anything to do with you. It wasn't your fault."

"Adults separating, getting sick, or disappearing—none of it is because you aren't good enough or behaved enough, understand?"

Felix's lips pressed into a thin line. He stared at Rhys for a long time, heavy tears pooling in his large eyes, stubbornly refusing to fall.

Finally, he asked, "Then... do you like me now?"

"I love you. More than you could ever imagine." Rhys smiled, his eyes bloodshot. "So you're allowed to be mad, to cry, to throw a tantrum. If you want a toy, you can roll on the floor and demand it. If you don't want to eat, you can just say no. Whether you're a perfectly behaved kid or not, Mom and I love you."

"And you don't have to get up in the middle of the night to stand guard over me anymore. I got the protective shield you drew for me. It's incredibly strong, and it's all I need."

He paused, steeling himself for what he had to say next.

"But Felix, even if one day I am truly gone, you must not be afraid. It will absolutely not be because I wanted to leave you. It will only be because the doctors couldn't fix the broken part inside of me."

"If that happens, you'll still have Mom, Grandma, Grandpa, Daddy Simon, and Daddy Noah. They all love you so much. You never have to try to please anyone, and you never have to pretend to be a perfect child just to make someone stay."

At those words, Felix blinked rapidly. His lips trembled, pressing tight and then releasing over and over, his little nose flushing a deep red.

He was the little man of the house.

He had been praised by everyone.

Grandma said he was such a good boy.

Grandpa said he was so mature.

Eloise said he was the easiest kid to look after.

Simon said he was the coolest kid he'd ever met.

To him, every compliment was a brick.

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