My Billionaire Ex Beg For A Second Chance-Chapter 140: An Unexpected Offer

The soft cooing from the crib filled the modest studio apartment like a lullaby. The golden light from the morning sunlight spilled across the floor and the small table at the corner where a few papers, pens, and a calculator were spread out in organized chaos.

Katherine sat cross-legged on the floor, her back resting against the couch. One hand held a pencil, tapping lightly against her chin, while the other hovered over a printed spreadsheet she’d been updating for the past hour. Numbers stared back at her—black ink full of hard truths.

She looked toward the crib a few steps away.

Maya giggled, her little hands waving in the air while Nathan—who had just learned to roll over—was now trying to grab the dangling plush star above his head. They were both lively this morning, more so than usual, and their laughter was a much-needed balm.

"You two don’t care how expensive diapers are, huh?" Katherine mumbled with a faint smile.

Her savings from her café waitressing days were nearly gone. The small cushion she had clung to for comfort now offered little protection against reality. Rent, formula, diapers, utilities—it all added up. And she hadn’t had any luck finding a job that would let her keep the twins with her. Daycare? Out of the question. Too expensive. Too risky. And she just... couldn’t leave them.

She sighed and scribbled a new note: ask Irene about temporary freelance admin jobs.

God, she hated borrowing money from her friend. Irene had already helped her with emergency bills last month. Always kind, always reassuring. Still, Katherine promised herself it would be the last time.

I have to find something soon. Anything.

A sudden knock pulled her out of her thoughts. Quick, sharp—distinct.

She blinked, setting her papers aside and standing up. She moved quietly so as not to startle the twins, brushing her hair away from her eyes before heading to the door.

She unlocked it and opened it halfway.

There, on the other side, stood Felix.

"Hey," he said with a small smile, lifting a brown paper bag in one hand. "I brought food."

"Felix!" Katherine’s face brightened, surprised but relieved. "What are you doing here?"

He shrugged with that same casual air he always carried. "I was nearby, figured you haven’t eaten yet. You’ve got that look again."

"What look?"

"That ’I’ve-forgotten-to-eat-because-I’ve-been-crunching-numbers-for-hours’ look."

Katherine laughed softly and opened the door wider. "You’re not wrong."

Felix stepped inside, toeing off his shoes near the entrance. The scent of takeout—savory, warm—drifted into the air as he set the bag on the small kitchen counter.

"Go ahead and wash your hands first," Katherine said while closing the door behind him. "You always forget." 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"Yeah, yeah," he muttered playfully, already halfway to the sink.

She turned back toward the crib, checking on the twins. Maya had wriggled her way closer to Nathan and was now babbling nonsense while patting her brother’s head.

"Still the loud one," Felix said, reappearing beside her with a grin.

He leaned over the crib and reached out. "May I?"

"Of course," Katherine smiled.

Felix scooped Maya up gently and cradled her with practiced ease. "Well hello, little lady," he said in a dramatic, overly chipper baby voice. Maya squealed in response, clapping her hands.

Nathan reached his arms up too, and Felix chuckled. "Alright, alright. One at a time."

He passed Maya to Katherine and lifted Nathan, bouncing him lightly in his arms. "What’s up, champ? Still trying to beat your sister in the noise department?"

Watching Felix hold them like that—natural, relaxed—always did something to Katherine’s heart. There was something grounding about his presence, a quiet comfort. He wasn’t obligated to be here. He wasn’t their father. But he was here anyway, again and again.

"You’ve really become their favorite uncle," she murmured with a smile.

Felix raised an eyebrow. "’Uncle’? I’m not that old."

She laughed. "Okay, favorite... friend?"

"Better."

After a few more playful exchanges and an abundance of baby giggles, they tucked the twins back into the crib. Maya yawned, and Nathan curled into the corner, eyelids fluttering.

Dinner was spread across the low table not long after—a simple mix of rice, grilled meat, and miso soup. Felix had thought of everything, even bringing her favorite sesame dressing.

As they began to eat, the conversation flowed easily. Felix complained about traffic, and Katherine chuckled at how he still managed to take wrong turns even with GPS. They spoke about Irene, and how she was trying to convince Katherine to move into a larger place—which wasn’t happening, not until finances looked better.

Then, inevitably, the mood shifted.

"So," Felix said after a brief silence, using his chopsticks to push a few grains of rice into a neat pile. "Any luck with jobs?"

Katherine lowered her spoon and shook her head. "No. Not yet."

Felix glanced at her, but she didn’t meet his gaze.

"I’ve applied for a few remote admin positions. Nothing promising. And anything in retail means I’d be away from the twins, and I just... I can’t do that. Not yet. Not while they’re still so small."

Felix’s gaze softened. "Of course."

She twirled her fingers around the edge of her bowl. "I know it sounds overly protective, but—"

"It doesn’t."

She looked up, and he met her eyes without hesitation.

"I get it, Katherine."

She smiled faintly. "It’s just hard. I don’t want to be dependent on anyone, but the numbers aren’t adding up and I can’t just..." She trailed off, a bit of frustration slipping through. "I wish I had more options."

Felix leaned back slightly, placing his chopsticks down beside his bowl.

A pause.

Then he said, with a hint of cautious deliberation:"Well, what if you worked for me?"

Katherine blinked. "What?"

"I’m serious," he said, expression calm but earnest. "You’ve got admin skills, organization, and you’re reliable. I could use someone like that. It doesn’t have to be full-time right away. We can work something flexible out."

She stared at him, stunned into silence.

"I’d pay you well, of course," Felix added quickly. "This wouldn’t be charity. It’s work. I trust you. I know you."

"But..." she began, then stopped. Her heart thudded with equal parts surprise and cautious hope. "Are you really offering me a job?"

He nodded. "Only if you want it."