My Billionaire Ex Beg For A Second Chance-Chapter 84: Sooner Than You Think

Leonard sat at the rounded table, his hand loosely wrapped around a half-finished glass of water. His eyes were fixed on Nathan and Maya—they were pure energy, laughter, and innocence. And they were his. His children.

He smiled, faint but undeniably soft, as Maya squirmed excitedly in her seat to tell Felix about her bunny hat again, like she hadn’t already repeated the story twice. Nathan licked a smudge of sauce off his finger and leaned over to his sister’s plate to sneak one of her fries. She scolded him with a dramatic gasp, and Leonard felt the warmth bloom in his chest.

This, he thought, this is what fate owed me.

There had been so many days when he believed he had lost any right to be near them. And maybe he still didn’t deserve it—not in the traditional sense—but today, here he was. Sitting with them. Talking with them. Laughing along to their chaotic little stories.

It had to be fate. Or divine mercy. Or maybe just the stubbornness he’d inherited from his father. Whatever it was, Leonard was grateful.

And he wasn’t planning to let this go.

"Mom," Nathan said suddenly, swiveling toward Katherine. "I need to go to the bathroom."

Katherine was in the middle of taking a sip from her glass, and she paused, brows raising. Before she could even speak, Leonard was already rising from his seat. "I’ll take him."

Felix, too, stood at the same time. "I’ll go, too."

Leonard’s eyes met Felix’s across the table. For a moment, the air felt tense—like they understood each other, but didn’t trust each other.

Leonard gave him a short nod, then turned to Nathan with a gentle smile. "Come on, buddy."

Nathan grinned and reached up, slipping his small hand into Leonard’s. His fingers were warm and slightly sticky. Leonard squeezed them gently, feeling a flutter of something heavy and emotional stir in his chest.

They walked side by side, Felix just a pace behind them, across the dining room and into the hallway where the restrooms were located.

Leonard led Nathan to the door marked Boys and held it open. "I’ll wait right here, alright?"

As the door swung shut behind Nathan, Leonard stepped back and leaned against the opposite wall. Felix stood a few feet away, arms crossed, silent. The kind of silence that wasn’t casual. It bristled.

For a long moment, neither of them said anything.

Then, Leonard spoke first.

"So. Why don’t you come to the convention?"

Felix’s brows lifted, just slightly. "Board meeting. I hate the thought of sending my secretary alone, but I had no choice. By the way, isn’t it a rare occurrence for Leonard Ford to go to the convention like that?"

Leonard nodded. "Guess I just need a change of scenery sometimes."

Felix gave a small smile. "Guess so."

Leonard glanced down the hallway briefly before returning his gaze to Felix. "You’ve been spending a lot of time with them."

"Yeah," Felix said, evenly. "They’re good kids."

"They are," Leonard agreed. "Very good."

Another silence lapsed between them.

"Must be hard," Felix said after a pause. "Coming back into all this."

Leonard let out a quiet breath, his voice lower. "You’re close to Katherine."

Felix’s eyes stayed on him. "I care about her."

Leonard’s lips twitched—almost a smile, but not quite. "I figured."

Felix’s gaze didn’t waver. "She deserves to be cared for."

Leonard turned his head slightly, eyes narrowing just a little. "She does."

There was a heavy pause—stuff neither of them wanted to get into. But the message was loud and clear: Neither man was backing down. Not when it came to Katherine.

Just then, the bathroom door creaked open and Nathan stepped out, wiping his hands on his shirt despite the paper towel still in one hand.

"All clean," he announced proudly.

Leonard crouched slightly and ruffled his hair. "Great job, champ."

Felix opened the door for them as they made their way back to the table.

As everyone began gathering their things and preparing to leave, Leonard casually reached for the bill when it arrived at the table.

"I’ve got it," he said.

Katherine immediately opened her mouth. "You really don’t have to—"

"I insist."

Felix made no move to argue, only giving Leonard a sidelong glance before helping Maya with her coat.

Once outside, a cool breeze tugged at the children’s hair and clothes as they stood near the restaurant’s exit.

"Well," Felix said, looking down at the twins, "guess we better get home now."

They all stood in a loose semi-circle—Katherine with her purse slung over one shoulder, Nathan clinging to her arm, Maya hugging Felix’s leg like a koala.

Leonard turned to Felix, nodded once. "Thanks for lunch."

Felix nodded back. "Anytime."

Then Leonard looked at Katherine.

She tensed slightly, clearly expecting something. He didn’t disappoint.

He stepped closer, his arms opening. "May I?"

Katherine gave a reluctant nod, and he leaned in, giving her a gentle hug. She didn’t return it fully—her hands touched his shoulders with hesitation—but she didn’t pull away either.

"Thank you," he whispered near her ear. "For letting me be here."

Katherine didn’t respond, and when they parted, her expression was guarded.

Leonard crouched down next, his voice instantly softening. "Come here, you two."

Nathan and Maya ran into his arms, giggling as he hugged them tightly.

"Will we see you again?" Nathan asked, his arms looped around Leonard’s neck.

Leonard smiled, pressing a kiss to Maya’s hair. "Oh, we’ll see each other again."

He looked up, his gaze resting on Katherine now.

"Soon," he said. "Really soon."

The twins just nodded, satisfied.

But Katherine didn’t smile. She stared back at him—serious, and maybe just a little unsettled.

Leonard rose slowly, his hands in his pockets now. He gave one final look at the woman who still held all his heart and the children who were its echo.

Yes. He would see them again.

And next time, he wouldn’t be just a guest.

He intended to stay.