My Billionaire Ex Beg For A Second Chance-Chapter 125: A Tough Choice

Driiiiing!

The bell rang. Loud. Sharp. Finally.

Nathan sat up a little straighter in his tiny chair, his small fingers already busy closing his notebook and pushing his crayons back into the box. His backpack felt heavier today. Or maybe it was his heart.

Finally, school’s done.

He hopped off his chair, stretching his arms with a little yawn. Now I can go home...

His tiny sneakers squeaked softly against the floor as he tidied up. It felt weird—really weird—to be in school without Maya. Even though they were always in different classes, she was... well... there.

They’d always come to school together. They’d always go home together. And now? She wasn’t here.

Nathan pouted quietly to himself as he zipped up his backpack. I miss Maya...

"Hey, Nathan."

A voice made him look up. Julio stood there, right by his desk, his hands behind his back and a funny little frown on his face.

"Is Maya really sick?" Julio asked, tilting his head like a curious puppy.

Nathan nodded seriously. "Yeah... She got a fever." His small shoulders slumped.

Julio’s lips squished into a pout. "Sick sucks." 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

"Yeah... it does." Nathan sighed, hitching his backpack over his tiny shoulders.

The two of them walked out of the classroom together, their little feet making soft tapping sounds on the hallway floor.

At the front gate, Julio’s car was already waiting. His mother waved from the window. Julio turned to Nathan. "Okay... bye! Tell Maya I said get better soon, okay?"

Nathan gave a little wave. "Okay. Bye, Julio."

Then... silence.

Nathan stood near the fence, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. His backpack felt heavier and heavier. He kept peeking down the sidewalk, stretching his neck like a little giraffe. His tiny hands fiddled with the straps.

Where’s Uncle Leonard...?

Leonard had said when he dropped him off earlier, "I’ll pick you up later, buddy."

Nathan glanced around again. A few more kids got picked up. Some moms waved, some dads honked. A girl next to him squealed when she saw her grandpa’s scooter.

But no Uncle Leonard yet.

Nathan sighed, turning around for a second to look toward the parking lot—

"Guess who!"

Suddenly—dark! Something warm and big covered his eyes.

Nathan jumped a little. "U-Um... Uncle Leonard?" he guessed uncertainly.

The hands moved, and the voice chuckled. "Nope. But close."

Nathan spun around and looked up. Oh! "Uncle Felix!"

Felix grinned, crouching down to Nathan’s level. "Hey, dude." He ruffled Nathan’s hair with one hand. "Did you think I was Leonard?"

Nathan nodded a little, hugging his backpack. "Yeah... ’Cause Uncle Leonard said... um..." He scrunched his tiny nose, trying to remember the exact words. "He said he’ll pick me up today."

"Hmm..." Felix tapped his chin, pretending to think. "Yeah, I figured. But since Leonard dropped you off... maybe it’s fair if I pick you up, huh?" He grinned, offering his hand like it was the best idea ever. "Come on. Let’s go."

Nathan blinked. He didn’t take the hand yet. He looked to the side—wondering, thinking...

Nathan’s fingers curled tighter around the strap of his backpack as he stared at Felix’s outstretched hand. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to go.

What if Uncle Leonard comes and I’m not here?

Nathan imagined Leonard walking up and down the sidewalk, checking behind the flagpole, maybe even asking the teacher. And when they said he already left—what then?

Would he be sad?

And right then—

"Nathan!"

Another voice. Another familiar voice. Nathan turned toward it—and there he was. Uncle Leonard, walking briskly, keys jingling in his hand, jacket slung over one shoulder.

Leonard jogged over. "Hey, buddy. Sorry, did you wait long?" His brows scrunched like he was worried.

Nathan shook his head quickly. "No... not really."

Leonard reached out to ruffle his hair, just like Felix did, but softer. "Good. Didn’t mean to keep you waiting, champ."

Then Leonard glanced over—and saw Felix. His smile dimmed by half. "Oh. You’re here too."

Felix stood up straight, his hands sliding into his pockets, his smile still there but... different. "Yeah. Figured I’d pick him up. You know... since you got the morning shift."

Leonard crossed his arms, one brow arching. "Yeah. Thanks... but I’m here now."

Felix tilted his head. "Well... technically, I got here first."

"I’m just trying to keep my promise," he said quietly, his voice steady but tired. "I told Nathan I’d pick him up today."

Felix’s hands slipped from his pockets, his expression shifting. "Okay," he said, quieter now. "I get that."

Nathan stood between them, looking left... right... left... like watching a tennis match. His little mouth wobbled. His fingers gripped his backpack tighter.

Oh no. They’re doing the thing. The... the... big-people-noisy-eye-talk-thing.

Leonard let out a breath. "Felix... I appreciate it you being here, I do. But I said I’d pick him up."

"Appreciate it?" Felix echoed, eyes narrowing just a bit but still smiling. "You don’t have to appreciate anything. I wanted to do it. No problem at all."

Nathan shuffled his feet, his bottom lip pushing out. "Um..." His small voice wobbled. "Please... please don’t fight..."

Both men blinked down at him at the same time.

Leonard quickly kneeled to Nathan’s level. "Hey, buddy. We’re not fighting."

Felix crouched too, nodding. "Yeah, little man. Not fighting. We’re just... uh..." His eyes flicked toward Leonard. "Discussing."

Leonard’s lips pressed into a line. "Yeah. Discussing who you’ll ride home with."

Nathan’s eyes widened. His tiny shoulders sagged. "O-Oh..."

He hated this. He hated it when he had to pick between them. His eyes darted between Leonard’s serious-but-soft face and Felix’s teasing-but-nice face.

Both waiting. Both watching him.

Why do grown-ups always make it hard...?

Leonard must’ve noticed his silence, because he gave a small, calm smile and tapped Nathan’s tiny shoulder. "Hey, bud. It’s okay. You can choose whoever you want. Really."

Felix nodded too, offering a fist bump. "Yeah. Totally okay, dude."

Nathan’s fingers tightened around his backpack straps. His big brown eyes looked left... then right... left... right...

And he whispered in his head, Oh no... what do I do now...?