My Billionaire Ex Beg For A Second Chance-Chapter 55: No Peaches

The early afternoon sun stretched lazily across the quiet residential road in front of the kindergarten. Leonard tapped the steering wheel with his index finger, humming faintly to the soft jazz playing on the radio. He had arrived fifteen minutes early, didn’t mind the wait. In fact, he liked these little moments of pause—when the day slowed down, and all he had to do was sit and watch the world move around him.

Today, he had even asked Claudio if it would be alright for him to pick up Julio again while Paula was away on her girls’ trip. Claudio, mildly surprised but not questioning his intentions, had agreed easily enough.

Leonard turned off the car engine and stepped out, the warm breeze ruffling his shirt. He walked a few paces away from the car and stood beneath the shade of a tree, one hand tucked into his pants pocket while the other ran through his hair.

The bell must’ve rung, because moments later, the front doors of the kindergarten burst open and a sea of children poured out in excited clumps—backpacks bouncing, voices overlapping in a bubbling chorus of laughter, greetings, and hurried footsteps. Parents and caretakers began stepping forward, waving, calling names, or crouching down to receive tiny hugs.

Leonard scanned the crowd with calm eyes until he spotted a familiar face.

It was the same young woman from the other day, standing off to the side with her ever-watchful gaze and warm presence. She noticed him too, and a polite smile curved her lips as she stepped closer.

"Hey again," she said. "Picking up Julio?"

Leonard nodded with a small grin. "Yeah. You too?"

"I’ve got the twins, as usual. I’m Jazz, by the way." She held out her hand.

"Leo," he replied, shaking her hand with an easy, firm grip. "Just call me Leo."

Jazz tilted her head and smiled. "Nice to officially meet you, Leo."

He chuckled. "Likewise."

Before they could say anything else, voices shouted from the school doors.

"Uncle Leo!"

"Jazz!"

The three children came running across the pavement, full of energy and laughter. Julio broke into a wide grin the moment he saw Leonard and launched into his arms without hesitation.

"Uncle Leo!" Julio giggled, clinging to his waist.

"Hey, buddy," Leonard said, lifting him just a little before setting him back down and ruffling his hair. "Missed me already?"

Julio nodded enthusiastically.

Nathan and Maya arrived seconds later, Maya skipping and Nathan walking calmly, though his eyes were alert as always. Jazz gave them both a wave, crouching a little to pat their heads affectionately.

"Hi, Nath. Hi, Mays."

"Hi, Jazz!" Maya chirped.

Nathan nodded. "Hey."

Leonard bent slightly to greet them, ruffling their hair too, just gently. "Hey, you two."

Maya smiled up at him brightly. "Hi, Julio’s Uncle!"

Nathan said nothing, but he didn’t pull away either. He just stood there, eyeing Leonard with a quiet expression, but not unfriendly.

Jazz straightened and looked between Leonard and the children. "So... do you guys want to go straight home, or maybe grab lunch first?"

She turned to Leonard. "If you’re not in a rush, that is."

Leonard blinked. "You sure? I wouldn’t want to impose."

"Please," Jazz said with a soft laugh. "Julio’s a good friend to the twins. They’d be happy to eat together. Right, guys?"

"Yes!" Maya threw her hands up. "We can eat together! The more the cherrier!"

Nathan cleared his throat. "It’s merrier, not cherrier."

Jazz looked at Nathan with a grin. "Thanks for the correction, little professor."

Leonard watched the exchange with amusement, a chuckle escaping his lips. "Well, I suppose I should ask Julio."

Julio, still holding onto his hand, looked up eagerly. "Can we, Uncle? Please?"

Leonard pretended to think, tapping his chin. "Hmm... only if it’s not too much trouble."

"It’s not," Jazz said. "I know a nice little place nearby. Just follow my car—it’s the black Prius."

"Got it," Leonard said with a nod. "Lead the way."

Fifteen minutes later, they pulled into a quiet side street lined with small boutique stores and cafés. The place Jazz chose was quaint and charming, with white-and-blue awnings and little potted plants decorating the entrance. A chalkboard sign at the door read: "Welcome! Try our new seasonal puddings!"

They took a table near the window. Leonard took the seat beside Julio, while Jazz sat opposite him with Maya beside her. Nathan, claimed the head of the table, folding his hands on the surface like a little grown-up.

A waitress came by with menus and a soft, "Let me know when you’re ready."

Maya pressed her cheek to the menu like it was a beloved plush toy. "Ooooh! They have peach pudding! I want that one!"

Nathan immediately looked up from his menu. "You can’t," he said flatly. "You’re allergic. Remember?"

Maya’s face fell. "Oh... right."

She frowned, her lower lip puffing out as she pushed the menu slightly away. "But it sounds so yummy."

Jazz reached over and rubbed her back. "There’s other puddings, sweetie. How about strawberry or mango?"

"Hmm..." Maya still looked disappointed.

Leonard glanced at her, then at Nathan, and smiled gently. "Guess we have something in common."

Maya blinked. "Huh?"

"I’m allergic to peaches too," he said, leaning back a little in his chair.

Nathan’s eyes flicked toward him with subtle interest. "You are?"

Leonard nodded. "Yup. Ate a whole one when I was a kid. Didn’t go so well. Spent the night with a red, itchy face and a very angry grandmother."

Maya giggled, delighted. "Really?"

"Really," Leonard confirmed. "So now I stay far, far away from peaches."

Nathan tilted his head, thoughtful. "So... you never eat peach anymore?"

"Nope." Leonard held up both of his pinky fingers toward them across the table. "Because it’s not worth it. And because when you eat something you’re allergic to, it’s not just you who suffers—it makes the people around you sad and scared, too."

Maya looked at him, processing his words in silence.

Leonard gave her a warm smile. "So how about we make a deal?"

Maya’s eyes lit up. "A deal?"

"A pinky promise," Leonard said. "To never eat peaches. Not even a tiny bite. Deal?"

Maya nodded immediately and reached out, linking one pinky with his right,

then turned to Nathan, her expression suddenly serious.

"You’re allergic too," she said, pointing at him. "You have to pinky promise too."

Hearing that, Leonard lifted his other pinky with a small smile.

Nathan hesitated. He looked at Leonard for a long second, as if measuring the sincerity in his expression. Then, without a word, he lifted his pinky and hooked it with Leonard’s.

Leonard’s smile widened, genuine and soft. "There. Now it’s official."

Jazz watched the scene, her face touched with quiet affection. The way Leonard handled the twins was gentle but never condescending.

Respectful.

Warm.

It felt like he belonged with them.