My Billionaire Ex Beg For A Second Chance-Chapter 82: Not a Staring Contest

Katherine stood between the twins, her bag hanging off one shoulder and the hand-drawn welcome sign still fluttering slightly in Maya’s grasp. The airport arrival lounge buzzed with people coming and going, but her eyes were fixed on two men standing a few feet apart—Felix and Leonard—locked in a silent stare that was anything but friendly.

There was no mistaking it. This wasn’t polite interest or casual curiosity. This was tension, so thick she could almost hear it hum in the air between them. Felix’s usually calm expression had taken on a sharpness—his jaw was clenched just slightly, his stance relaxed but watchful. Leonard, on the other hand, had that classic mask of confidence on, his smirk faint but unmistakable, the kind he wore whenever he felt in control.

She could feel the unease radiating between them, and she instinctively looked down to make sure the kids were distracted.

Of course, they weren’t.

Maya blinked up at the men, then turned to Katherine with a puzzled frown. "Mommy... are they doing a staring contest?"

Katherine nearly choked.

Both men snapped out of their glare-off at once, their heads swiveling to Maya with slightly startled expressions. Felix was the first to recover, his mouth twitching at the corners.

"Yeah," he said smoothly, crouching slightly so he was eye-level with Maya. "Something like that."

"Oh!" Maya beamed. "I wanna try next!"

Felix let out a short laugh and tapped her nose. "Later, baby girl. Let them rest their eyes first, yeah?"

Maya pouted dramatically, and Nathan elbowed her playfully. "You always win anyway."

Leonard chuckled, the sound warm and practiced, before kneeling down and ruffling Nathan’s hair. "You’ve grown, little man."

Nathan smiled shyly. "You remember me?"

Leonard glanced at Katherine, then back at the boy. "Of course I do. Both of you. How could I forget?"

He reached over and gently ruffled Maya’s hair too, her curls bouncing back into place. Katherine crossed her arms, trying hard not to let her irritation show on her face. Watching Leonard be warm with the kids shouldn’t have unsettled her this much—but it did.

Just a few minutes ago, she had been rushing off the plane the moment the seatbelt sign turned off. She didn’t even wait for the row ahead to move. She had stuffed her earphones into her tote, slung her coat over her arm, and nearly jogged down the aisle, leaving Leonard calling her name behind her.

Because being trapped in a metal tube with him for ten hours had been more than enough.

When she stepped out of the terminal and saw Felix and the twins holding up signs—drawn in crayon, with their tiny handwriting and uneven stick figures—her entire chest had lit up. She hadn’t even needed to ask. Of course it had been Felix’s idea. Only he would come up with something so casually sweet and make it seem like it was no big deal.

She hadn’t expected him. Or the kids.

And for a moment, when she dropped to her knees and wrapped them in a hug, it felt like everything was going to be alright.

Then he arrived.

Leonard’s voice pulled her back to the present.

"Nice to see you again," he said gently, addressing the twins. "You remember me?"

Maya tilted her head. "Julio’s Uncle?"

Nathan chimed in. "Yeah! You gave us candy."

Leonard’s smile softened, visibly pleased by their recognition. "That’s right. You’ve got good memories."

Katherine stood straighter, trying to block the mental image of Leonard looking fondly at her children. Her children who had no idea of the storm brewing under the surface of the adults standing around them.

Felix finally broke the silence. "Didn’t know you were going to be here too," he said casually, slipping his hands into his pockets.

Leonard glanced at him, still crouched between the kids. "Came with Katherine."

Katherine winced. "We didn’t come together," she said, her tone flat. "We just happened to be on the same flight. By accident."

Leonard shrugged as if that was all the same to him.

Felix raised an eyebrow, but the grin on his face didn’t budge. "Ah. Got it."

The tension didn’t dissipate. If anything, it simmered hotter, just under the surface.

Nathan, bless his innocent heart, looked up at Katherine and asked, "Is Julio’s Uncle your friend, Mom?"

Before Katherine could speak, Leonard stood up smoothly and said, "We’re... so much more than just friends."

Katherine’s eyes widened.

"What—Leonard." She gave him a sharp glare. "Don’t say things like that."

"What?" he asked, clearly enjoying himself. "I meant we’re old friends. Important ones."

Katherine gave him the kind of smile that didn’t touch her eyes. "You need to work on your delivery." 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Felix snorted.

She turned quickly to him. He was still smiling, looking completely unbothered, even slightly amused.

Which somehow annoyed her more.

"You alright there?" she asked, arching an eyebrow.

Felix tilted his head. "I’m fine."

She crossed her arms and shifted her weight, suddenly tired of this little battlefield disguised as small talk. "Anyway. Can we go eat? I’m starving. Plane food doesn’t count as a real meal. It barely counts as food."

Felix perked up. "Good idea. Let’s get some real food in you."

Nathan perked up. "Can we get noodles?"

"I want fries!" Maya added.

Leonard rose to his full height and brushed imaginary lint from his sleeve. "If you don’t mind..." he said smoothly, "I’d love to join you. Right, twins?"

Maya blinked. "Okay."

Nathan shrugged. "Sure."

Katherine opened her mouth to protest—but then closed it again when both children looked up at her expectantly.

Felix looked over at her, his lips twitching.

Great. With the kids here, it would be a disaster to make a scene. And Leonard knew that. He was playing it safe, using the twins as a buffer, knowing she wouldn’t lash out in front of them.

She smiled tightly. "Yeah. Of course."

Her voice came out an octave higher than usual. That fake-bright tone that made Felix glance at her and arch one brow knowingly.

She gave him a warning look.

He just chuckled.

Leonard stepped forward, smiling like this was the most natural thing in the world, and Katherine turned slightly to walk with them. Her grip tightened on her bag as they headed for the escalator, the twins chattering beside them.

And then Leonard looked at her.

Katherine met his eyes and forced a smile.

But it wasn’t real.

It was the kind of smile you wore when you had no choice.