My Billionaire Ex Beg For A Second Chance-Chapter 126: A Ride, A Choice

"Mom! I’m home!"

Katherine, who was tidying up the coffee table, immediately turned around at the sound of Nathan’s little voice. Her face instantly softened as her gaze landed on her son standing in the entryway, his tiny arms stretching out of his backpack straps.

A smile bloomed across her lips as she walked over, crouching down to his level. "Welcome home, sweetheart." She opened her arms and Nathan practically flung himself into them, small arms hugging her around the neck. She hugged him back tightly, her palm rubbing his back gently. "How was school?"

Nathan pulled back, lips pouting slightly. "Well... less fun without Maya." His eyes glanced around as if to check whether his sister was nearby. "Is she okay already?" His tone lifted with hope.

Katherine’s hand moved to ruffle his hair softly. "She’s much, much better now." Her smile grew warmer. "She even asked for pancakes earlier."

Nathan’s face brightened at that. "Really? Yay!"

As Nathan wriggled out of her hug and started unlatching his backpack, Katherine straightened back up—and then realized, belatedly, that there were two very tall shadows standing behind Nathan.

Her gaze flicked up, surprised. "Felix?" she blurted, blinking. "Oh—hi!"

Felix offered her a relaxed smile, one hand shoved into his pocket while the other gestured casually. "Hey. I figured... you probably wouldn’t want Nathan to stay at daycare alone today." His lips tugged up a little more playfully. "So, I came to pick him up. Only... turns out someone else had the same idea." His head tilted toward Leonard, standing stiffly beside him.

Katherine’s eyes shifted to Leonard, whose arms were crossed tightly over his chest, eyebrows drawn, clearly less than amused.

"Oh..." Katherine’s brows pulled together slightly. "So... wait. Then who did Nathan come home with?" She glanced between the two men, her lips parting as she processed it. Did they—?

Nathan, now free of his backpack, cheerfully piped, "Uncle Felix!" before scampering off to his room to drop his things.

"Oh." A small chuckle escaped her lips as her eyes naturally followed him. Her gaze slid back toward Felix, who had a satisfied glint in his eyes. Leonard, on the other hand, let out a visible sigh, dragging a hand through his hair.

"Yeah, yeah," Leonard muttered, eyes narrowing slightly. "Only because he won at rock-paper-scissors." His tone had the exact same grumbling irritation of someone who’d lost a coin toss.

Felix didn’t miss a beat. "A win’s still a win," he said, smirking like a cat that just swatted the tail of a dog.

Leonard scoffed, shaking his head. "Yeah? Sure. Who even knows if Nathan actually wanted to ride with you." His jaw clenched slightly, his arms crossing tighter. "But fine."

Felix raised one brow, that cool confidence never fading. "Oh, come on. Don’t be a sore loser."

Katherine sighed, pressing her palm to her forehead as she watched the two exchange words like two middle school boys arguing over whose toy was better.

Leonard exhaled sharply, as if shaking off the tension. "Anyway... you’ve picked him up, got him home safe. Don’t you have to go back to work now?" His tone carried the hint of a challenge.

Felix didn’t budge. "Oh, I will," he replied smoothly, "but not yet. I need to check on the little princess first." His gaze softened as he glanced toward the hallway leading to the twins’ bedroom.

Without waiting for an invitation, Felix casually strode in that direction. Katherine instinctively followed, casting a quick glance over her shoulder to Leonard, who sighed but trailed after them as well.

They stopped just outside the doorway of the twins’ bedroom. Felix lingered by the frame, leaning slightly against it but not stepping inside. Katherine stood next to him, arms folded over her chest, while Leonard hovered a step behind, his hands stuffed into his pockets.

Inside the room, Nathan had already dropped his backpack and made his way to Maya’s bed. She was awake now, propped up slightly with pillows behind her back, her tiny face still a little pale but clearly looking better than last night.

"Hey, Maya," Nathan said, scooting right up to her bedside. His small legs folded beneath him as he plopped down. "I’m home!"

Maya smiled tiredly. "Hey... Did you miss me?"

"Yes," Nathan answered. "It’s weird without you."

Maya giggled, even though her voice was a bit raspy. "Did you tell everyone I’m sick?"

"Yeah. Julio said sick sucks. He said get well soon." Nathan grinned proudly. "I told him you’re gonna get better real soon."

Maya beamed. "Yeah... I feel better already." She wriggled under her blanket. "So... did you bring me anything?"

Nathan blinked, then smacked his forehead dramatically. "Ah! I forgot!" 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Maya laughed, covering her mouth. "Nathan!"

"I’ll draw you something later, promise." Nathan looked very serious about it.

Standing in the doorway, Katherine felt her heart squeeze with warmth at the sight. She glanced briefly toward Felix, who had softened completely, his lips curved into a gentle smile, eyes fixated on the twins like they were the most precious thing on earth.

Even Leonard, though far more reserved, had relaxed slightly. His tense shoulders loosened as his gaze softened, the usual weight behind his eyes melting as he listened to the twins’ innocent chatter.

Nathan reached out, gently brushing Maya’s hair. "You gotta get better fast. ’Cause... when you’re not there... it’s not the same."

Maya nodded. "I will." She squeezed his hand lightly, then glanced sideways at the doorway where the adults were standing. "...Mommy... Uncle Felix... Uncle Leonard..."

All three adults straightened slightly at once.

Maya tilted her head. "Why are you all just standing there?"

Nathan blinked, looking between them. "Yeah... Are you... spying?" His voice dropped to a playful whisper. "Are you spying on us?"

Katherine chuckled. "We’re not spying. We’re just checking in." She walked forward, brushing her fingers over Maya’s forehead, relieved to feel her skin cooler than before.

But then—Nathan tilted his head, squinting a little. "...Mom?"

"Hm?"

He glanced at Maya, then back at the adults. "Um... since all of you are... kinda always here now..."

Maya chimed in, giggling, "Yeah, kinda..."

Nathan continued, completely innocent, "...Are we all living together now?"

Katherine blinked. Her lips parted. "W-What?"

Maya nodded like it was the most logical thing. "Yeah. ’Cause Uncle Leonard lives across the hall now... and Uncle Felix is always here... and Mommy’s here... so... we’re kinda like... living together?"

Nathan added, "Like... a big... big family?"

Oh... oh no.