Chapter 0017
+25 BONUS
Seconds pass as my mind contemplates solutions and answers. I turn to my laptop and I begin to type some possibilities. My typing quickens as my mind connects the dots on the answer.
The dull pain behind my eyes recedes and I’m left with a solid foundation on what to do. A breakthrough is exactly what I needed right now. I sigh contently and push away from the desk, walking to the door of the study.
As soon as I push it open, I am bombarded by my two children. They wrap their arms around me and their voices are loud, calling my name. I chuckle and bend down to greet them with a tight hug.
“Mommy! Mommy!” They whine. I look at them and manage to breathe out a tired chuckle.
“You’re working so hard! You need a break!” Ella loudly whines. She clings to my side and I can’t help but feel
bittersweet.
“Let’s go get dinner at the restaurant we always go to!” Noch exclaims. He grabs my free hand and shakes it. I laugh at their desperation.
Go get dressed and we’ll go.” I give into their pleas and they don’t waste a second to run away and go get changed. I stand and call after them, “I’ll be in the car!”
The resturant is lively and the kids are in high spirits. I watch as they chow down their food; they barely take time to breathe in between bites and I’m slightly worried that they’ll pass out from lack of oxygen.
Once they are done with their meal, they stare at me with large eyes, their fingers covered in crumbs from their food.
“Go to the bathroom and wash up. Meet me back here as soon as you can, please,” I tell them, nodding my head in the direction of the restrooms. They fervently nod and hop out of their chairs, weaving through the tables and waiters before disappearing down a darkened hall.
A smile forms on my lips and warmth spreads throughout my chest. I love my children. They are everything to me. I honestly don’t know what I would do without them.
Time passes and neither Noah nor Ella return to the table. Worry blossoms inside of me, replacing the warmth I once felt. I rise from my seat and abandon the table in the direction of the bathroom.
I inch down the dark hallway, politely smiling at other restaurant–goers who pass and reach the end of the hall. where the bathrooms are.
There’s a tall man who stands near the doors. I knock into his side and immediately look up at him to apologize just to be met with Sebastian’s face. My expression sours and I immediately turn away, rolling my eyes at him.
“I hope this is another coincidence for your sake,” he muses. I turn to glare at him. “The number of times we keep running into each other is getting suspiciously high.‘
“Relax. I’d prefer it if we’d stop running into each other, either,” I shoot back.
“What’s this?” He mockingly asks, pushing off the wall and entering my already small space. He leans down and smirks, saying, “Have you finally realized your gamble was nothing but empty boasting? Hm? Are you here to plead for forgiveness and to back out?” His face darkens.
My gaze sharpens but he doesn’t falter. I strengthen my posture and look at him, matching his darkened expression.
o seem
“I don’t regret anything I’ve said or done. The way you keep accusing me of ulterior motives is starting to more like you’re the one who wants my attention,” I spit the words out. I lean in, my eyes never leaving him, and
Chapter 0017
add, “Feels like you’re the one playing hard to get.”
Chapter 0018
