My Billionaire Ex Beg For A Second Chance-Chapter 53: When One Asks

The soft click of the front door’s lock echoed faintly as Katherine typed the passcode and pushed the door open with her shoulder. She stepped into her apartment, a sigh of relief leaving her lips as she called out softly, "I’m home."

The scent of simmered garlic and warm laundry lingered faintly in the air, wrapping around her like a gentle embrace. Just as she was about to remove her shoes, a familiar voice called from within the living room.

"Hi, Kath!" Jazz’s voice came casual and light, followed by the sound of something clinking—probably the ceramic cup of tea she always helped herself to when she stayed over.

Before Katherine could reply, the sound of little feet pattering across the hardwood floor reached her ears. A split second later, two bodies collided against her legs.

"Mama!" Maya squealed, her tiny arms wrapping tightly around Katherine’s thigh.

"You’re back," Nathan said quietly, though his small hands clutched her waist just the same.

Katherine smiled, crouching down so she could meet them at eye level. Her bag slid off her shoulder and landed with a soft thud beside her.

"I missed you two," she murmured, gently pulling them in for a hug. Maya immediately burrowed into her chest while Nathan leaned against her shoulder, his weight small but familiar.

Katherine kissed the top of their heads before pulling back. "Did you have fun today?"

Before either of the twins could speak, Maya glanced past her, head turning this way and that as if scanning the hallway.

Katherine noticed and smiled. "Uncle Felix won’t come today, sweetheart," she said, brushing a curl behind Maya’s ear. "But we’ll see him soon."

Maya stared at her for a moment longer before giving a small, reluctant nod.

Katherine rose to her feet again, brushing her palms against her skirt. "So," she asked with a light tone, "Anything fun happen today?"

Jazz, now seated on the sofa with one leg tucked under her, opened her mouth to answer—but didn’t even get a word in.

"Jazz was late picking us up!" Maya blurted out dramatically, turning toward Jazz with both hands on her hips.

Jazz sputtered. "Okay, wow—you’re fast!"

Katherine arched a brow and looked at her.

Jazz groaned and rubbed her forehead. "There was a pile-up, okay? Completely blocked. I had to take some weird detour and got stuck behind a garbage truck for ten minutes."

Katherine glanced down at the twins. "Were you two okay?"

Nathan nodded, as calm as ever. "We waited."

"They weren’t alone," Jazz added quickly. "Some staff were still there, and they had a friend with them. Little guy named Julio. They were with his uncle too."

Katherine’s brows twitched upward at the name. "Julio again, huh?"

"I told you ’bout him before!" Maya chirped proudly. "He’s my friend. We draw dinosaurs together!"

Katherine chuckled softly. "That’s right. You have mentioned him quite a few times."

Jazz stretched and stood from the sofa. "I better head home. Traffic’s still ugly."

Jazz leaned over and kissed both twins on the forehead. "Be good. Don’t keep your mom up all night, you cutie monsters."

"We’re not monsters!" Maya shouted after her, while Nathan gave a rare giggle.

With another wave and a promise to call later, Jazz left, the door shutting quietly behind her.

Later that night, the apartment had settled into the quiet rhythm of bedtime. The overhead lights were dimmed, replaced by the soft glow of the moon filtering in through curtains.

In the twin’s bedroom, Katherine sat on the edge of Maya’s bed, tucking the blanket gently over her daughter’s small form. Across the room, Nathan was already lying down in his own bed, arms folded over his chest like a little old man lost in thought.

Katherine let out a soft hum, smoothing the fabric of Maya’s blanket one last time.

"Alright," she whispered, "Time to close those eyes."

"But Mommy..." Maya’s voice was small.

"Yes?"

"We waited today with Julio. Just us three."

Nathan spoke from the other bed. "His uncle came."

Katherine leaned back slightly, eyes warm with curiosity. "What’s his uncle look like?"

Maya nodded enthusiastically. "He wore a suit! Like Uncle Felix!"

"Very tall," Nathan added.

"He asked if we wanted ice cream too!" Maya grinned at the memory, then paused when she saw Katherine’s expression grow more serious.

"But we said no," Nathan said quickly. "You said not to take food from strangers."

"Good boy," Katherine replied, a soft smile returning to her face.

Maya frowned, not wanting to be left out. "I said no too!"

Katherine laughed gently. "Then you’re a good girl too. I’m proud of both of you."

Maya yawned and turned to face the wall, snuggling deeper into her pillow. A long moment passed in quiet, just the sound of distant traffic.

But then Nathan’s voice came again.

"Julio has a dad."

Katherine froze for a moment, her hands folding neatly in her lap.

"And almost everyone at school has one too."

Katherine didn’t move.

Nathan’s voice dropped a little. "How come we don’t have a dad?"

She looked over at her son. His face was turned toward the ceiling, but his brows were furrowed, and his voice held the edge of something he couldn’t quite name yet—confusion, perhaps.

Longing.

Katherine felt her chest tighten. Her lips parted slightly, but no words came.

After a long pause, she gently stood up, walking softly toward Nathan’s bed. She bent over and kissed his forehead.

"It’s getting late," she said quietly. "Time to sleep now. Sweet dreams, alright?"

Nathan didn’t say anything, only closed his eyes slowly.

She turned to Maya, who was already drifting, her thumb near her mouth and blanket pulled up to her chin. Katherine bent down and kissed her too, brushing a hand lightly across her forehead.

Then she walked to the door.

Her hand lingered on the handle for a beat too long. Her back to the room, shoulders stiff.

With a quiet sigh, she opened the door, stepped out, and closed it behind her with a gentle click.

And for a moment, in that narrow, she stood with her forehead against the door, eyes shut.

Not because she was tired.

But because she wished, just for a second, that the answer had been easier to give.