My Billionaire Ex Beg For A Second Chance-Chapter 168: The Most Beautiful Woman

The office looked exactly the same, and yet it felt different. As Katherine returned to her desk after lunch, a heaviness lingered in the air, like the fading scent of perfume that no one wanted to admit still clung to the walls. Nothing physically had changed, and yet the woman’s visit had left a chill that refused to dissipate.

Katherine tried to focus, tapping her fingers gently against her keyboard, willing the fog in her head to clear. But the screen blurred. All she could see was Lara’s smug smile, the way she tilted her chin so slightly, like Katherine was something unworthy, something that didn’t belong in her world.

"Get a grip," Katherine whispered to herself, forcing her gaze back on the blinking cursor. But it was no use. Her fingers hovered uselessly over the keys. The words wouldn’t come. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

She sighed and stood. Maybe checking on the twins would distract her.

Felix had taken them into his office again, a small gesture that seemed to mean more than he realized. Katherine smiled faintly as she approached the slightly ajar door. She didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but the soft voices that carried through made her pause.

"Who was that auntie? Is she your friend?" Maya asked, her little voice curious.

"Yeah," Nathan chimed in. "Are you and that auntie a couple?"

There was a beat of silence, then Felix’s voice. "No. And no."

Katherine blinked.

"Then how come she knows your name?" Maya asked innocently. "Only our friends know your name."

Felix chuckled, but it sounded strained. "Well, I’m kind of a big deal in the business world. Some people know me even if I don’t know them well."

Katherine clamped a hand over her mouth to stifle the laugh threatening to escape. Did he really just say that?

Felix rarely boasted about his success. If anything, he downplayed it, brushing off praise like it was lint on a sleeve. But clearly, trying to impress two kids brought out a whole new side of him.

She leaned slightly against the doorframe, her amusement bubbling just beneath the surface.

"Do you think that auntie is beautiful?" Nathan asked, surprisingly serious.

Felix let out a breath. "She is, I guess. But..."

"More than Mommy?" Maya interrupted.

There was another pause. Katherine held her breath without realizing.

"Of course not," Felix said, his tone firm now. "For me, your mommy is the most beautiful woman in the world."

Katherine’s hand flew to her mouth, her cheeks instantly heating. Her heart gave a thump she couldn’t control. He said it with confident, like it was the most obvious truth in the world.

She took an step back, only to hear a small gasp.

"Mom?" Nathan had peeked through the open door, his eyes wide as he grabbed her wrist. "What are you doing standing there?"

"I—I was just..." she stammered, glancing between the twins. Her face flamed. "I came to check on you two."

Nathan tilted his head. "Then why didn’t you come in?"

"I didn’t want to interrupt your conversation."

"It’s okay, Mommy!" Maya called, waving her over. She patted the couch cushion beside her. "We were talking about you anyway. You can sit with us!"

Felix looked up, meeting Katherine’s gaze across the room. For a moment, something unspoken passed between them, something fragile. He shifted slightly on the couch to make space, Nathan still comfortably curled beside him.

Katherine crossed the room, her steps slow. She sat beside Maya, who immediately nestled into her side, beaming.

"Uncle said you’re the most beautiful woman in the world," Maya whispered into her shoulder.

"Did he now?" Katherine murmured, brushing her daughter’s hair with gentle fingers. Her voice trembled slightly.

Felix cleared his throat, looking mildly embarrassed. "They ask a lot of questions."

"That they do," Katherine smiled, though her eyes sparkled.

"Is it true?" Nathan piped up, looking between them. "You think Mommy is really the most beautiful, Uncle? Even more than that shiny lady?"

"Absolutely," Felix said, his voice sure this time.

"But why?" Maya asked, curious.

Felix paused, then leaned back slightly. "Because beauty isn’t just about pretty clothes or fancy makeup. It’s about kindness. About how someone makes you feel safe and happy. Your mommy... she’s gentle, and brave, and always takes care of people. She’s beautiful inside and out."

Katherine’s throat tightened.

"Like a princess?" Maya beamed.

"Better than a princess," Felix replied.

Nathan nodded solemnly. "Yeah. Princesses don’t make grilled cheese sandwiches like Mommy does."

They all laughed at that, the tension slowly melting from the room.

Katherine leaned back into the couch, letting the warmth of her daughter’s small frame and the quiet joy in Nathan’s eyes soothe the lingering chill in her chest. Felix’s presence, warm and calming, filled the silence in a way that made her forget, just for a moment, about everything else.

She glanced at him, and he smiled faintly, his eyes holding hers.

Nathan yawned and leaned against Felix’s side again.

"Maybe we should work here every day," he murmured.

Felix chuckled. "I wouldn’t mind."

There was a beat of quiet. Katherine looked down, her fingers brushing Maya’s curls. "I should probably get back to my desk. I’ve been gone long enough."

"You don’t have to rush," Felix said. His voice was low but sincere.

"You sure we’re not bothering you?"

He shook his head. "You’re not. If anything, it’s been... nice."

Nathan reached across and took Maya’s hand. "Mom, can we stay until it’s time to go home? Uncle said we could draw and play."

"That’s the original plan, sweetie. But just make sure you behave."

"We always behave," Maya said sweetly.

Felix smirked. "Mostly."

Katherine stood, brushing invisible dust from her skirt, and moved toward the door.

But before she could open it, Felix gently caught her wrist.

She turned, surprised.

His fingers loosened almost immediately, but he didn’t step back. Their eyes met, something soft and charged settling between them.

His hand slid down, brushing against hers. Their fingers met.

And neither of them let go.