My Billionaire Ex Beg For A Second Chance-Chapter 119: Not Knowing Enough

Leonard sat on the edge of the couch in Katherine’s living room with Nathan and Maya nestled between him and Irene. He glanced at the soft glow of the television screen, where a gentle animated movie played, the soft sound filling the room. But his mind was not on the movie—it was on Irene. Her anger is justified, he thought, eyes tracing her features as she set down a tray of snacks.

Irene’s grief at Katherine’s suffering had turned into fierce protection, and that had extended to Leonard as well. He knew he deserved that hatred—his mistakes had cost her friend everything. And yet, here he was, allowed inside Katherine’s home, sharing a moment of uneasy peace because his children’s innocent pleas overrode her resistance.

Maya, who normally fussed with blankets or held her stuffed elephant close, now leaned into Leonard’s side like she did when she was younger. Her small arms slid around him, and he folded his own around her, aiming to comfort. Nathan, sprawled across the other half of the couch, happily munched on nachos—his bright yellow fingertips dripping with cheese.

Irene paused mid-step, tray in hand, and offered Maya a concerned look. "Sweetheart, you sure you don’t want to change the movie?" she asked gently, resting a hand on Maya’s shoulder.

Maya shook her head, lolling sideways. "No... I like this one."

Leonard glanced down at Maya’s pale face. "Are you feeling sleepy, princess? Want me to take you to bed?"

Again, Maya nodded, her voice soft. "Yeah."

Nathan paused, chewing, and watched his sister carefully. Leonard held a finger to his lips. "Alright, sleepyhead." He rose from the couch, carefully lifting Maya into his arms.

Irene instantly began gathering toys and blankets from the coffee table. Nathan shuffled off the couch, his uneven footsteps crunching with nacho crumbs. The movie continued playing, forgotten.

As Leonard carried Maya down the short hallway and into the twins’ shared bedroom, he felt the familiar textures of school-embroidered bedding and soft plush friends around them. He placed her gently in the small twin bed and pulled the blanket up to her chin.

She yawned, but rose her tiny hand to hold his when he tried to rise. "Can you stay?" she whispered, her voice weak.

Leonard paused, kneeling beside her, and smiled quietly. "Of course, darling." He settled himself on the edge of the mattress, his knee pressing against the wood frame. He ran a hand through her damp curls, the side of his face brushing against her soft cheek.

Maya sighed and closed her eyes. Leonard’s eyelids fluttered too—the familiar warmth of being beside his daughter made him sleepy. For a moment, he considered just letting himself drift off, but then he noticed something. Maya’s breathing was uneven—too fast, too shallow. And her forehead felt hot beneath his fingers. Alarm flared in his chest.

Dropping down to stand, he lifted her gently in his arms. "Oh, shit," he cursed. He hurried down the hallway, his suit jacket slipping off one shoulder, and called over his shoulder, "Irene!"

The hallway light flickered as he burst back into the living room, where Nathan sat curled on the couch with a blanket across his lap.

Irene sprung to her feet, concern etched across her face. "What happened?"

"She’s burning up," Leonard replied, placing Maya on Irene’s hip as she scooped her up. Irene’s lips pressed tight as she pressed a hand to Maya’s forehead, her brow creasing.

Maya moaned softly in response.

"She does have a fever," Irene said quietly. She bent close, smoothing Maya’s hair. "Okay, calm." Irene stepped lightly toward the kitchen door, her phone already in her free hand.

Leonard hovered behind her and added softly, "Should we take her to the hospital?"

Irene shook her head. "It’s probably just a fever. They get those sometimes." She closed her eyes briefly, then opened them. "I’ll call Katherine."

She lifted the phone to her ear and dialed quickly. Leonard walked behind her and hovered in the doorway to the kitchen, peering inside. His hands shook. Nathan crept forward and watched his father, worry in his eyes.

Irene spoke in hushed tones. Leonard caught fragments—"Katherine... fever... Maya... okay... home soon..." The lines between them blurred as she mentioned school that day.

The call ended, and Irene sank against the kitchen counter.

"What did she say?" Leonard asked, voice barely a whisper. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Irene looked at him, fatigue flickering across her features. "She’ll come back as soon as she can. In the meantime, we give Maya some damp cloths, medicine. Keep her comfortable."

Nathan walked forward and tugged at Leonard’s hand. "Can I help?"

Leonard looked down at Nathan, whose small hand clutched his fingers with surprising strength. His eyes were wide—not with fear exactly, but with worry far too mature for a boy his age.

Leonard gave a small nod, forcing a calm he didn’t quite feel. "Sure, buddy," he said softly. "Let’s go help your sister."

Together, they walked to the twins’ room. The hall felt longer than usual, shadows stretching under the dim light. Leonard’s heart thudded as he glanced toward the bed, where Maya lay curled up, her cheeks flushed and her breathing uneven. He hated how small she looked—how fragile.

Gently, he lifted her from the couch cushions they’d made earlier and placed her back on the bed, adjusting the blankets around her carefully. Her forehead was burning. She stirred slightly, letting out a soft whimper, and Leonard felt his chest tighten.

He turned to Nathan and knelt again. "You can stay by her side, okay? Just sit with her and... maybe keep praying like you said earlier."

Nathan nodded solemnly, crawling up onto the bed beside his twin. He took her hand and whispered something Leonard couldn’t quite catch.

Moments later, Irene appeared in the doorway with practiced efficiency, carrying a small basin of water, a pack of medicine, a thermometer, and a towel slung over her shoulder. Her expression was focused, mouth drawn in a thin line. She didn’t say anything to Leonard, only gave him a quick look—more instruction than invitation—and immediately set to work.

He stepped back instinctively, giving her space.

And then just... stayed there.

Watching.

Irene moved with confidence—tilting Maya’s head gently to check her temperature, wetting the cloth and pressing it against her forehead. She coaxed a dose of medicine between Maya’s lips, murmuring softly. The room smelled faintly of mint and lemon from the fever patches she peeled open and applied.

Leonard stood uselessly by the wall.

He didn’t know where to put his hands. Didn’t know if he should ask to help or if he’d just be in the way. It was clear Irene didn’t need him here—not in the way he wanted to be needed.

If it had been him alone tonight... if Katherine hadn’t called Irene...

Would he have known what to do?