My Billionaire Ex Beg For A Second Chance-Chapter 133: Something’s Off

"Thank you for the pleasant meeting," Leonard said as he extended a hand, clasping it firmly with the Japanese business partner, Mr. Takahashi. "I look forward to future collaborations."

"Likewise, Mr. Ford," the man replied with a polite bow before shaking his hand. "Please visit Tokyo sometime. I believe we’ll have a long and fruitful partnership."

Leonard nodded with a small, professional smile. "I certainly will."

Once the partners filed out of the sleek conference room, Leonard loosened his tie with a sigh, rolling his stiff shoulders. His gaze shifted toward Becca, who stood at the door with her tablet.

"Anything else urgent?" he asked, smoothing back the loose strands of hair falling over his forehead.

Becca scrolled through her schedule, her sharp eyes scanning every line. "No. That was the last major meeting today. Your afternoon is clear." She glanced up at him, one brow arched. "Are you heading back?"

Leonard gave a brief nod. "Yeah. I need to do something."

"Got it. Drive safe, Mr. Ford."

Leonard was already halfway out the door, muttering a distracted, "Thanks."

The drive was familiar by now—the same route as yesterday—but this time, he hoped it would bequieter. No awkward run-ins with Felix. No rock-paper-scissors battles to determine who got to pick up Nathan. Just him.

When he pulled up at the school gate, Nathan was already waiting by the fence, his backpack slung lazily over one shoulder. His little face lit up when he spotted Leonard.

"Uncle Leonard!" Nathan grinned, trotting over.

Leonard smiled as he stepped out of the car, crouching a bit to meet Nathan’s eye level. "Hey, buddy. How was school today?"

Nathan shrugged, scrunching his nose. "Mmm... okay. Better than yesterday ’cause Maya’s getting better."

Leonard reached out to ruffle the boy’s hair. "That’s the spirit. Come on. Let’s grab something yummy for lunch."

"Yay! Can we get the chicken nuggets from that place?" Nathan perked up, practically bouncing beside him.

Leonard chuckled. "Yeah. And we’ll get something for your mom too."

As they crossed the small parking lot, Leonard subtly let his gaze sweep the area. His eyes flicked from one parked car to another, scanning every corner like a man on a quiet mission.

No Felix.

Good.

Leonard’s shoulders eased slightly, and the tightness in his chest loosened. The last thing he needed was for Felix to pop out of nowhere again, all smug and self-important, flashing that perfectly practiced grin while pretending he wasn’t here to casually kidnap Nathan for a "spontaneous bonding moment."

Leonard exhaled slowly, then allowed himself a small, satisfied smile. Looks like the universe decided to cut me a break today.

The scent of crispy fried chicken and warm rice filled the car as Leonard drove them back to the apartment. Nathan kept chatting from the back seat—about school, about how Julio’s birthday was coming soon, and about how he missed Maya.

Once they arrived, Nathan unbuckled his seatbelt and hopped out energetically. "Mom! We’re home!" he announced loudly as he pushed the door open.

Leonard followed behind, balancing the takeout bags. But instead of hearing Katherine’s usual, "Welcome home," the apartment was unusually silent.

His brows furrowed. That’s odd.

Nathan blinked and tilted his head. "Mom?"

Then Leonard noticed her. Katherine was sitting on the living room sofa, her elbows on her knees, her phone lying face-up on the coffee table. Her eyes were locked on the screen with such intensity that she didn’t even register their presence. Her lips were slightly parted, her brows knitted together in deep, troubled thought.

Leonard called her name, "Katherine?" His voice was gentle but firm.

No response.

Nathan frowned and padded over. "Mom?" He clambered onto the couch, wrapping his little arms around her.

Katherine jolted slightly as if someone had snapped her out of a trance. "Nathan—!" Her eyes widened, and she immediately hugged him. "You’re home."

"We called you, but you didn’t hear." Nathan pouted against her shoulder.

Katherine rubbed his back soothingly. "Sorry, sweetheart. Mommy was... distracted." Her gaze flicked up to Leonard briefly before she glanced away. "Welcome back."

Leonard stepped inside, setting the food down on the dining table. "We brought lunch." He studied her carefully—the way her smile looked forced, the way her fingers nervously brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Thank you..." Katherine rose to her feet, smoothing the wrinkles on her blouse. "Let’s eat together then." She forced a brighter smile. "Nathan, why don’t you go check on Maya?"

"Okay!" Nathan dashed off toward the twins’ room.

Leonard walked to the kitchen, helping unpack the boxes of food. "How’s our little angel?" he asked, his voice casual but tinged with concern.

Katherine opened the cabinet and took out plates. "A lot better. Her fever’s mostly gone now." She pulled open a drawer for cutlery but seemed to pause midway like her mind was somewhere else.

Leonard nodded, watching her out of the corner of his eye. "That’s good to hear."

She set the plates on the table, but her movements were... sluggish. Absentminded. Like someone going through the motions without actually being present.

Leonard leaned against the edge of the table, crossing his arms. "...Are you okay?" he asked, not beating around the bush.

Katherine blinked, startled. She straightened, her hands hovering awkwardly near the food boxes. "Huh? What do you mean?"

"You seem... distracted." Leonard tilted his head slightly. "Something happen?"

For a brief second, her mask cracked. Her lips parted as if to say something, but then she forced a smile, shaking her head quickly. "No. No, I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be?" She let out a short, awkward laugh. "You’re imagining things."

Leonard watched her closely. The way her eyes avoided his. The way her fingers fidgeted, drumming lightly against the table surface.

He didn’t push her. Not yet. Instead, he let out a small chuckle, pretending to believe her. "Yeah. Maybe I am."

But inside, he knew—he absolutely knew—Katherine wasn’t telling the truth. Something was off.

Something was definitely... wrong.