His Housewife Had Secret Identities novel Chapter 848

Just as Niamh stood there, bewildered, the door to Thomas Manor opened.

“Mommy!”

Marlin came stumbling out. Surprised that her son was the first to greet her, Niamh rushed toward him.

Marlin was over a year old now. Though he could walk, he was still a bit unsteady. Niamh could see how much he had missed her; his chubby little legs were trying their best to run as fast as they could. Worried he might fall, she quickly scooped him into her arms.

“Mommy…”

Marlin’s big, watery eyes grew misty. He looked like he was about to cry, but as a little boy, he was trying his best to be strong and hold it in. Seeing his effort, Niamh found him adorable and couldn’t resist kissing his chubby cheek. Having finally gotten a kiss from his mother after so long, Marlin was so happy he began to wave his arms and legs in her embrace.

But he wasn't satisfied yet.

After her kiss, he started calling out, “Daddy! Dadadada… Dadadad…”

The jumble of sounds made it hard for Niamh to tell if he was just babbling or genuinely calling for his father.

“Your father isn’t here right now,” Niamh told him, which immediately earned her a protest from Marlin. It was the first time he had ever been so restless in her arms.

“Daddy! Daddy!” he insisted, his small hands clearly reaching for Jonathan.

“Let me take him,” Jonathan said, moving to take Marlin from her.

“Come, let your grandpa get a good look at you,” Clifford said, patting her shoulder and looking her up and down. “Hmm, you’ve gotten even more beautiful.”

Niamh laughed at his words. She noticed that Clifford had lost weight and looked older. Though he was still in good spirits, the passage of time was particularly evident on him. She wondered if her faked death had taken a heavy toll on him. The thought filled her with guilt.

“Grandpa… let me cook dinner tonight,” Niamh offered. In her mind, the best she could do for Clifford was to let him taste her cooking again.

“Nia, you’re so thoughtful,” Clifford said, his eyes welling up with emotion. “But you and Jonathan just got back. Tonight, I’m throwing a welcome-home dinner for you two… Come on, let’s not stand outside. Everyone inside!”

Clifford ushered Niamh in, with Jonathan, holding Marlin, following close behind.

As Niamh entered the living room, she saw Sprague and Marigold sitting on the sofa. She froze, not expecting Jonathan’s parents to be at the old manor at this time. Somehow, Niamh had a gut feeling that they were here specifically waiting for her.