My Billionaire Ex Beg For A Second Chance-Chapter 157: So Many Surprises

"Okay... Okay, please slap me. I’m dreaming, right?"

Katherine blinked, her eyebrows furrowing slightly as she processed the words that had just slipped from Claudio’s mouth. She almost laughed, but it came out more as a nervous, awkward smile instead. Her eyes darted briefly to Paula, who was still standing beside him

But Paula, equally stunned, gave him a light shove and whispered back, her voice trembling, "If anyone needs to be slapped, it’s me. That’s—Katherine..."

Katherine couldn’t help the chuckle that slipped past her lips. It was light, amused, almost teasing. "Hi," she said, offering them a small wave.

Both Claudio and Paula flinched as if the sound of her voice made her even more real.

Claudio blinked fast, his mouth parting in disbelief. "Oh my God. She’s... talking."

Katherine tilted her head slightly, smiling more now. "Yes. I’m real. Not a ghost. Promise."

"Katherine?" Paula breathed, taking a step forward, her voice cracking with emotion. "It’s really you?"

Before Katherine could respond, Paula rushed at her and wrapped her arms around her in a tight embrace. Katherine stiffened only for a second before she melted into it, returning the hug. Paula smelled faintly of jasmine and summer grass. It brought back old memories. Happy ones.

"I missed you so much," Paula whispered. "Your divorced, and—and then everything with Leonard—"

Claudio didn’t wait any longer either. He stepped in, pulling them both into a three-way hug, his voice low and shaken. "Katherine. You have no idea how happy I am to see you. I thought..." He didn’t finish the sentence.

Katherine stepped back slightly, looking between them. Her heart swelled. "It’s been a long road."

As if just noticing something, Paula turned her gaze past Katherine and spotted the twins—chattering excitedly with a group of other children, Julio among them.

Her brow furrowed. "Wait... those are—those are your kids?"

Katherine turned to look at them too, smiling softly. "Yeah. My children."

Paula’s eyes widened, then darted to Julio. "So... the twins Julio’s been talking about nonstop... they’re yours? Oh my God. What kind of coincidence—this world is so small."

Katherine’s smile dimmed just a bit as her thoughts shifted. So Leonard didn’t tell them anything, she realized. That tracked. He was always careful with what he shared.

Before anyone could say more, a calm but amused voice interrupted them from the side.

"Well, you found her." Leonard strolled up casually, hands tucked into the pockets of his slacks. His black shirt was crisp and half-buttoned, the sleeves rolled slightly to his forearms. His gaze lingered on Katherine just for a second before flicking to Claudio and Paula.

"Welcome," he said. "You just arrived?"

Katherine gave a light nod. "Yeah. A few minutes ago."

"Of course," Leonard said, then turned away from the adults and walked toward the cluster of children. Julio spotted him instantly.

"Uncle Leo!" Julio called out, rushing forward, his party hat slightly crooked. "I’ve been waiting!"

Leonard chuckled, reaching out to ruffle the boy’s hair. "Happy birthday, buddy."

"Thanks!" Julio beamed but then looked at him expectantly, his wide eyes hopeful and glimmering. "You said my present would be special..."

Leonard leaned in, voice low like he was sharing a secret. "Don’t worry. Your gift’s right over there."

Julio followed his pointing finger just as a group of men in matching uniforms arrived, carrying a large object covered with a tarp. The children’s shrieks of excitement rang out.

"What is it?" Julio gasped, then immediately ran off toward it with the twins hot on his heels.

Katherine watched them go, heart warm. She could feel the smile on her lips—but she also felt the quiet tension behind her.

When she turned back, Claudio and Paula were both staring at her and Leonard with looks that bordered between confusion and disbelief.

Claudio cleared his throat. "Okay. So, I feel like I’m in the middle of a very well-acted drama right now."

Paula nodded slowly, eyes wide. "Yeah, I’m going to need... explanations. Like—what is this?"

She gestured between Katherine and Leonard with both hands, brows raised.

Leonard looked at Katherine, wordlessly offering to let her speak first. She sighed and gestured for them to go inside. "Let’s sit. It’s... kind of a long story."

They sat in one of the quieter corners of the event hall, tucked away from the noise of children squealing over Julio’s extravagant gift—apparently a custom-built indoor playhouse.

Katherine sat beside Leonard, their shoulders almost touching but not quite. Claudio and Paula sat across from them, still visibly overwhelmed.

Katherine took a breath and began, telling them everything—from how she and Leonard reconnected, how she’d been raising the twins quietly, how Leonard eventually found out about them. Leonard filled in some gaps with his usual calm tone, occasionally glancing at Katherine like checking if she was okay.

By the time they finished, Claudio was rubbing the back of his neck, staring blankly at the table. "So... the twins are Leonard’s. You were pregnant when you left. And now you two are—what? Co-parenting?"

"Basically," Katherine said.

Paula’s eyes were a little watery, her hand gripping Katherine’s. "I can’t believe you went through all of this alone."

There was a pause—soft, but heavy.

Then Claudio leaned back and let out a low whistle. "Wow. I have a nephew and niece. That’s... a lot to process. But I’m happy. Really. I just—damn, I need a drink."

Everyone laughed lightly.

But then Claudio looked up, more serious. "Okay. So I have to ask the question that’s been screaming in my head since I saw you two." 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Katherine stiffened slightly.

Claudio met her eyes directly. "Are you two getting back together?"

The question hung in the air like a drawn-out breath.

Katherine glanced at Leonard, then looked back at Claudio with a faint smile, one that didn’t quite reach her eyes. "No," she said gently. "Not like that."

The silence that followed was short—but loaded.

Leonard’s voice came next. "For now," he added, gaze fixed ahead, not looking at any of them directly.

Katherine’s breath caught quietly in her throat. Claudio blinked at him. Paula’s brows lifted in surprise.

Leonard finally looked up, meeting Katherine’s gaze for a second longer than necessary, his voice calm.

"We’re still figuring things out."