My Billionaire Ex Beg For A Second Chance-Chapter 15: Little Jab

The soft light of dawn spilled through the slats of the half-open blinds, washing the room in muted gold. Leonard shifted under the sheets, his eyes fluttering open slowly. A low groan escaped his throat as he sat up, scrubbing a hand over his face. His dark hair was a tousled mess, and faint shadows lined his jaw—he hadn’t shaved in two days.

The room was minimal, impersonal, like a hotel suite he never really made his own. White walls, gray curtains, a single painting above the bed that did little to add warmth. His phone lay on the nightstand, buzzing silently before lighting up with a caller ID: Claudio.

Leonard stood, bones cracking slightly as he stretched. He walked toward the en suite bathroom, the hardwood cool beneath his feet. A quick shower later, he stepped out, towel slung around his waist, water droplets still clinging to his skin. He moved through the room with the unhurried ease of a man used to routine, dragging a white shirt off a hanger and sliding it over his shoulders.

His phone buzzed again.

Leonard picked it up, pressing it to his ear while fastening the first few buttons. "Morning, Claudio."

His brother’s voice came through, warm but layered with dry sarcasm. "Look who finally decided to wake up. You’re not late for work, are you, Mr. Corporate?"

Leonard sighed. "Not yet."

"Must be nice, being your own boss. You can afford to sleep in and still look like a Calvin Klein ad."

Leonard chuckled as he sat down at the edge of the bed, pulling on a pair of slacks. "What do you want, Claudio?"

"Nothing. Just calling to let you know someone missed you."

There was a rustle on the other end of the line. Then a small, excited voice broke in.

"Uncle Leo!"

Leonard’s smile came instantly, softening his features. "Julio! How’s my favorite superhero?"

"I’m not a superhero, I’m a kindergartener now!" Julio announced proudly.

Leonard laughed, leaning back on the bed. "That’s right! Today’s your big day. Are you ready?"

"Yeah! I have a new backpack and it has rockets on it. And Mommy packed me dinosaur gummies!"

"Dinosaur gummies? That’s serious business," Leonard said solemnly. "You’re gonna have the coolest lunch in class."

"I know!" Julio giggled. "Daddy said I can call you later and tell you everything!"

"You better. I’m expecting a full report. Take pictures too, okay?"

"Okay! Mommy is calling me now. Bye, Uncle Leo!"

"Bye, kiddo."

The line shifted back, and Claudio’s voice returned, unmistakably smug. "You know, if you hadn’t completely ruined your marriage, that could’ve been your kid."

Leonard rolled his eyes. "And here it comes."

"Don’t act surprised," Claudio said. "You know how I felt about that divorce. Katherine was the best thing to ever happen to you."

Leonard stood and walked to the mirror, combing his damp hair back with his fingers, more out of habit than necessity. His jaw tensed, but he didn’t answer right away.

It wasn’t the first time Claudio had brought it up—and Leonard doubted it would be the last.

He glanced at the mirror again, his reflection staring back with tired eyes and a sharp line of tension carved across his brow.

Claudio had never held back when it came to voicing his disapproval. The day Leonard signed the divorce papers, Claudio didn’t even try to hide his disappointment. In fact, he’d looked at Leonard like he didn’t recognize him anymore.

Their relationship had never really recovered after that. They still talked—after all, they were brothers—but something had cracked beneath the surface, and Leonard could feel it every time Claudio called. The easy comfort they once had had been replaced with half-jokes that stung more than they amused, and pointed silences when Katherine’s name came up.

If it hadn’t been for Julio, things might have gotten even worse.

Julio was the bridge between them now. The one thing that reminded them both there was still something worth holding onto in the wreckage of all that unspoken disappointment. Leonard adored his nephew. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

That kid’s smile had a way of making things seem simpler than they really were. When Julio was born, Leonard had been the first one Claudio called outside the family. And when Julio started to talk and call him "Uncle Leo," something in Claudio seemed to soften.

But even the existence of Julio couldn’t fully buffer Claudio’s jabs.

He always found a way to twist the knife. Not out of cruelty—but out of frustration. Claudio had believed in Katherine. He admired her strength, her loyalty, the way she had managed to hold Leonard together through some of the most chaotic years of his life. Losing her, in Claudio’s eyes, was like watching a man throw away a lifeline while drowning.

"You’re still not gonna talk about it, huh?" Claudio continued.

Leonard finally spoke, his voice quieter. "There’s nothing to talk about. It happened. It’s over."

Claudio didn’t respond for a moment. Then, in a softer tone, he added, "You really never love her?"

Leonard stared at his reflection. At the man who once had everything. At the man who let it all go.

"I have to get to work, Claudio," he said, brushing off the question.

"Of course you do," Claudio said, tone dripping with disbelief. "Don’t forget to schedule some time to face your regrets, though."

Leonard ended the call without replying.

He stood still for a second, the phone silent in his hand. Then, with a muttered curse under his breath, he tossed it onto the bed and dropped down beside it, elbows on his knees. He rubbed his face again, harder this time, as if he could scrub away the memories chasing him.

He fell back against the mattress, one arm flung over his eyes.

His fingers curled loosely into a fist. The bed felt colder than it should. A different kind of silence took over the room now—the kind that sat in the corners and refused to be named.

Regret, huh?

Maybe.

Of course.