My Billionaire Ex Beg For A Second Chance-Chapter 160: Soft Hands, Heavy Hearts

The guest room was quiet except for the gentle hum of the air conditioner and the soft sniffling that came from the bed.

Maya lay nestled under a thick quilt, her tiny frame buried in soft pillows, her damp hair now gently brushed and tied back. She wore an oversized pink t-shirt that nearly reached her knees—part of the emergency clothes Katherine always kept folded in the car trunk, just in case. She was lucky she did. God knew she wasn’t expecting to need it today.

Katherine sat on the edge of the bed, rubbing slow circles on Maya’s back as the pediatrician, a warm older man with wire-framed glasses and a leather medical bag that reminded her of old TV shows, packed up his things.

"She’s alright," he assured them all gently, turning to Claudio. "A little shaken, but no signs of trauma or water inhalation. She panicked, which is normal. But she’s strong." He smiled kindly at Maya, who sniffled and turned her face toward Katherine’s lap.

Claudio walked the doctor to the door. "Thank you for coming. Really."

She remembered it clearly now—how, the moment they got Maya upstairs, Claudio had looked at her and said, "We should have Julio’s pediatrician come check on her." She hadn’t even opened her mouth to respond when Paula was already tapping on her phone, calmly speaking to someone on the other end like it was the most natural thing in the world.

And for once, Katherine didn’t resist it. She didn’t try to insist she could handle it herself.

"My pleasure. I’ll text you the aftercare instructions, but just keep her warm, hydrated, and let her rest." With that, he left, giving Katherine a brief nod before stepping out.

Claudio returned to the room a few minutes later, Paula at his side. Their usual confident expressions were gone, replaced with visible guilt. Paula’s hands were wrung tightly in front of her, and Claudio’s jaw was clenched in that familiar way Katherine recognized—when he was frustrated, mostly at himself.

"Maya," Paula said softly, stepping closer to the bed. "Sweetheart, I’m so sorry. We should have made sure the pool area was watched more closely."

Claudio added, "I should’ve closed it off. Or at least hired someone to keep an eye on the kids. That was my oversight, and I—" He stopped short, exhaling heavily. "We’re both truly sorry."

Maya, still curled in the nest of blankets, peeked out shyly. She gave a small nod, her thumb brushing under her nose. "It’s okay," she whispered.

Katherine smiled gently at her daughter, rubbing slow circles over her back again before looking up at them. "Really... it’s alright. I don’t blame you. I don’t think anyone could’ve predicted she’d wander that close. Accidents happen. You’ve already done more than enough—calling the doctor, getting everything checked. Thank you."

Claudio looked like he wanted to argue, but Katherine beat him to it with a quiet, firm tone. "She’s safe now. That’s what matters."

Just then, Julio appeared at the door, fidgeting with the hem of his shirt. He looked nervous and remorseful, his shoulders hunched a little as he walked in. "I... I’m really sorry, Aunt Katherine," he said, eyes watery. "I tried to stop her, but she ran so fast. I didn’t mean—"

Katherine stood up and knelt in front of him, placing her hands gently on his arms. "Julio, hey. It’s okay. You did your best, and I know that. You got help, you called out, and you didn’t leave her side. That means a lot."

He looked over at Maya and shuffled closer. "I’m sorry, Maya."

Maya gave him a sleepy smile. "It’s not your fault, Juls."

Katherine glanced between all of them, then gave Julio’s shoulder a gentle pat. "Now listen," she said, straightening up again, "this is still your birthday, isn’t it?"

Julio blinked. "Well... yeah."

"Then go back downstairs," she said kindly. "There are still people waiting to celebrate with you. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Paula opened her mouth to protest, but Katherine waved her hand. "Really. You should all go. This accident shouldn’t take away from Julio’s day. Maya is okay now. We’re okay."

They hesitated, clearly torn between staying and leaving, but Katherine’s insistence—and calm demeanor—finally won out.

"Alright," Claudio said, touching Julio’s back. "We’ll be downstairs if you need anything."

"We’ll send someone up with food for the twins later," Paula added. She gave Maya a quick kiss on the forehead and offered Katherine one last, grateful smile before following them out the door.

The room quieted again, leaving only the soft hum of distant music downstairs.

Katherine sat quietly, exhaling slowly. Nathan perched on a cushioned armchair beside the bed, legs tucked under him and both hands tightly holding Maya’s. He hadn’t let go since the moment they pulled her from the water. His dark eyes looked impossibly big beneath his messy bangs, red-rimmed with guilt.

"I’m sorry," he mumbled suddenly, voice trembling.

Katherine turned her head toward him. "For what, sweetheart?"

"I wasn’t watching," he whispered. "I’m supposed to be the big brother. I should’ve stopped her."

"Oh, Nathan..." Katherine reached over, resting her palm gently on his arm. "This wasn’t your fault. Not even a little. It just... happened."

"But I was right there! I should’ve—should’ve caught her or yelled louder or—"

"Sweetheart," Katherine said, scooting closer and kneeling so she could meet him at eye level. "Things like this happen in a blink. You’re just a child, and you’re already being a wonderful brother."

Nathan’s lips wobbled, but he nodded, his grip on Maya’s hand tightening slightly.

Maya, still lying against the pillows, let out a faint hiccup. "Mommy... I’m sorry too."

Katherine blinked. "Why are you sorry, baby?"

"I ran too fast... I was showing off... and then I fell... and scared everyone."

Her voice cracked halfway through, and tears welled in her eyes all over again. Katherine reached for her, leaning forward and scooping her gently into her arms, hugging her tightly against her chest.

"No, no, baby. You didn’t do anything wrong," Katherine whispered into her ear, voice thick. "Accidents happen. That’s all this was. No one is mad at you."

"But..." Maya sobbed. "I ruined Julio’s birthday."

Katherine rocked her gently. "You didn’t ruin anything. Julio was so happy you came. He told me so. And he just wants you to get better. That’s all anyone wants right now."

She felt Maya’s little fists curl against her shirt, her shoulders quivering as she cried. Nathan crawled closer, wrapping one arm around Maya’s back and the other around Katherine’s.

"I won’t let her go again," Nathan said fiercely.

Katherine’s arms wrapping around both Maya and Nathan.

Just the three of them.

Safe. Together.