My Billionaire Ex Beg For A Second Chance-Chapter 215: Polite Smiles and Hidden Knives

The apartment had finally gone still.

Katherine lingered at the doorway of the twins’ bedroom, watching their small chests rise and fall beneath the soft blankets. She adjusted the blanket higher over Maya’s shoulder, brushing back a stray curl from her forehead before stepping away.

She closed the door quietly, careful with the handle so it wouldn’t click too loud, and stood in the narrow hallway for a moment. The quiet was almost deceptive, it wasn’t peace. It was the pause before she had to step back into a room where two very different men were waiting.

With a sigh, she padded toward the bathroom. The day had been long enough, and her skin itched for the comfort of a hot shower. Ten minutes later, she emerged with her hair damp, loose strands sticking to her cheeks. She had changed into a loose cream sweater and soft cotton pajama pants, comfort over appearance.

The living room lights were dimmed. Felix was seated on the sofa, leaning back with one arm stretched along the top, the picture of composed elegance. His tie was gone, the top two buttons of his shirt undone, but his posture was still impeccably straight. His gaze was fixed on something across the room.

On the opposite end, Leonard had made himself comfortable, or maybe "comfortable" was the wrong word. He lounged in her armchair like it was his own, one ankle resting casually on the opposite knee, elbow propped on the armrest, chin resting on his fist. His eyes, however, were not relaxed. They were sharp, tracking Felix’s every subtle move like a cat watching another predator.

The air between them was thick.

Katherine hesitated at the threshold, considering retreating back to the safety of the twins’ room, but that would only draw more attention. Instead, she cleared her throat lightly and walked toward the armchair across from them, the one that put her directly between their lines of sight.

"Thanks for waiting," she said, trying to sound casual.

"Of course," Felix replied smoothly, his gaze softening when it landed on her. "You looked like you needed the rest."

Leonard’s lips quirked in something that wasn’t quite a smile. "You must have had a long day. Though I imagine it’s nothing compared to what we’ve been discussing."

Her brow lifted. "And what have you been discussing?"

"Oh, nothing important," Leonard said. "Just catching up. Felix was telling me about his... personal life."

Katherine glanced between them, the faintest tension tightening Felix’s jaw. "Personal life?" she repeated, the words feeling like she was walking onto thin ice.

Leonard leaned back in the chair, voice almost lazy. "Specifically, his engagement. Or rather, how little he talks about it."

Felix’s expression didn’t change much, but Katherine could see the flicker in his eyes, the way his fingers curled slightly against his knee. "I didn’t realize you were this interested in my private affairs, Leonard."

"I’m not," Leonard replied with a small shrug. "But you can’t blame me for being curious. I bet Katherine is curious too."

His gaze slid toward her, and Katherine’s stomach twisted. He was baiting. She knew it, Felix knew it.

"I..." She forced a short laugh, aiming for something to dissolve the growing tension. "I think everyone’s entitled to their privacy."

Felix’s mouth curved faintly, appreciative, but Leonard’s smirk deepened like he’d expected that answer.

Katherine’s gaze flicked between them. Neither man looked particularly hostile on the surface, but there was something in the way they occupied the same space, like two predators pretending the other wasn’t there while keeping their claws ready.

"So," she said lightly, "are you both just... staying here forever? Should I bring out blankets?"

Leonard’s lips curved into a faint smirk. "Don’t tempt me." His voice was warm, almost teasing, but his eyes slid briefly to Felix in a way that carried an unspoken challenge.

Felix’s mouth twitched, not quite a smile. "Wouldn’t want to impose," he said smoothly, though the slight hardening in his gaze made it clear Leonard’s presence was already an imposition.

The silence that followed wasn’t comfortable. It was heavy, weighted with the kind of politeness that felt like a competition. She picked up the glass of water on the low table beside her, partly to have something to do with her hands.

"So," she began, hoping to steer the conversation somewhere or anywhere else, "how was-"

She didn’t finish the sentence. The water went down wrong, catching in her throat. She coughed once, then again, harder, the drink slipping from her hand onto the table with a muted thud.

"Katherine?"

Her head jerked up, surprised to find both men moving toward her at the same time. Felix was already half out of his seat, leaning forward, while Leonard had straightened instantly from his lounge, crossing the small space in two strides.

Felix crouched beside her armrest, hand hovering near her shoulder but not quite touching. "Are you alright?" His tone was low, concerned, the kind that wrapped around her like a blanket. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Leonard, standing just behind Felix, leaned forward slightly, his palm braced on the other armrest as if to claim space. "Do you need anything? Or-" His eyes scanned her face, searching for any sign she was more than just startled.

"I’m fine," she managed between coughs, waving them both off. "It just went down the wrong way."

"That’s not exactly fine," Felix said, brows drawn, though he eased back enough to give her space.

Leonard straightened, but his gaze didn’t leave her. "She said she’s fine. Maybe let her breathe before you smother her."

Felix’s eyes cut upward at him, cool and sharp. "And maybe you should stop assuming you know what’s best for her."

The temperature in the room dropped.

Katherine cleared her throat again, slowly sitting back in the chair. "Alright," she said firmly, more to cut off the brewing exchange than anything. "I’m okay. Really."

Felix’s attention returned to her, and though he didn’t touch her, there was a warmth in his eyes that lingered. Leonard, on the other hand, leaned back into the armchair again, but the set of his jaw betrayed his own tension.

She glanced between them again, wondering how long this whole awkward setup could last before something finally snapped.