My Billionaire Ex Beg For A Second Chance-Chapter 161: The Calm After the Splash

Leonard stood just outside the guest room, the soft murmur of distant music drifting up from downstairs. The hallway had quieted, but his heart was still slightly unsettled. He’d run into Claudio near the staircase just moments ago.

Now, standing in front of the door, he shifted slightly and raised his knuckles to knock. In his other hand, he held a warm ceramic mug filled with chamomile tea. He had changed into jeans and a dark navy shirt, and his hair still dampened at the roots

The soft creak of the guest room door broke the hush that had settled inside. Leonard stepped in slowly. The chaos of the backyard party had faded behind the closed door, replaced now by a warm, hushed stillness that filled the cozy guest room.

Maya lay curled up on the wide bed. A small bottle of eucalyptus oil sat nearby, opened just slightly—Katherine had been massaging it onto Maya’s chest to help her relax. Nathan sat cross-legged beside his sister, reading a children’s book aloud in a soft, serious voice, doing his best to soothe her nerves.

Leonard’s heart clenched a little at the sight. She looked smaller than usual. More fragile. His chest still ached from the adrenaline rush, even though the danger had long passed. But seeing her safe now made something inside him settle.

Katherine looked up first, her expression softening as she saw him.

"Hey," he said, his voice low and calm.

He gave a sheepish smile and lifted the cup slightly. "Didn’t want to come empty-handed."

He lingered in the doorway for a second, unsure whether to step further in. Then a small voice broke the stillness.

"Uncle Leonard!" It was Nathan.

Maya’s eyes fluttered open at the sound, her little body shifting. She smiled. "Uncle Leonard... you jumped in the pool."

Leonard gave a soft chuckle and walked over, kneeling beside the bed. "I did."

Maya nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "You saved me."

He brushed a strand of damp hair from her forehead and grinned. "Well, of course I did. You’re my Maya."

Nathan puffed up his chest. "I was gonna jump in too, you know!"

Leonard turned to Nathan, a teasing smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Oh yeah? Can you swim, buddy?"

Nathan’s expression shifted in an instant. His bravery wilted. With a quiet shake of his head, he mumbled, "No..."

Leonard’s smile faded into something softer, gentler. Of course.

Before he could say anything more, Katherine reached over quietly and took the cup from the nightstand where Leonard had set it down earlier.

She handed the cup to Maya, helping her sit up slightly. "Sip slowly, sweetheart. It’ll help."

Maya nodded and obeyed, cradling the cup in both hands. Leonard watched in silence as Katherine helped steady the cup, her hand resting lightly on Maya’s.

"Good girl," Katherine murmured as Maya took a slow sip.

Nathan, who had been quietly watching the exchange, suddenly looked over at Leonard with a thoughtful frown.

"Uncle Leonard," he said, "aren’t you cold?"

Leonard blinked, a little surprised by the question. He glanced down at himself—his hair still slightly damp at the ends, but his fresh clothes warm and soft. He smiled. "Nope. I’m warm enough."

Maya lowered the cup and looked at him, brows furrowing. "But I’m cold," she said softly, curling a little tighter under the blanket beside Katherine.

Leonard leaned in, his voice light. "That’s because I’m an adult, and adults are made of tougher stuff." He gave her a playful wink. "You’ll get there."

Maya giggled faintly, and Nathan rolled his eyes like he didn’t believe a word of it. The moment was small but comforting—like the heavy weight of earlier had begun to lift, even just a little.

Leonard turned to Katherine then, something shifting in his expression. "Did they ever take swimming lessons?"

Her smile faltered.

She looked down at the mug still nestled in Maya’s hands, then shook her head once, almost imperceptibly. "No," she said quietly. "There was never enough time. Or money. And I thought..." She paused, fingers tightening slightly around the edge of the blanket. "I thought I’d just keep them away from pools. Or water in general. It felt safer."

Leonard watched her carefully, sensing the tension in her shoulders, the way her voice had grown tighter by the second.

"I should’ve done it," she murmured, more to herself now. "I should’ve made it happen. This could’ve—this could’ve ended so much worse, and I just—"

"Hey," Leonard said gently, cutting in before she spiraled any further.

He reached out and touched her hand, curling his fingers around hers where it rested near Maya’s leg. His warmth was steady, anchoring her before she could float too far into blame.

"I asked," he said quietly, "because I wanted to understand—not because I was blaming you."

Katherine looked at him then, really looked at him. Her eyes shimmered with a mix of relief and shame, and the weight she carried seemed to teeter on the edge of crashing down again.

Leonard held her gaze. "You’ve been doing everything you can for them. Everything. You didn’t fail them, Katherine. You kept them alive, safe, loved. That’s more than enough."

A tear slipped down her cheek, and she nodded quickly, trying to brush it away before either of the twins noticed. But Nathan, ever observant, reached out and patted her arm clumsily.

"It’s okay, Mommy," he whispered. "We’re okay."

Leonard let out a slow breath, glancing between the twins, then back at Katherine. "Alright," he said gently. "Swimming lessons. Starting next week. Deal?"

Nathan’s head popped up eagerly. "Really? For real?"

Leonard grinned. "For real."

The twins nodded excitedly in unison, already buzzing with anticipation. Katherine smiled, watching their enthusiasm grow, and for the first time in hours, she looked more at ease.

But then Maya’s gaze flicked downward. Her brow furrowed slightly. She lifted her hand and pointed innocently, "Mommy... Uncle Leonard... you’re holding hands."

Katherine blinked, startled. She looked down and realized—Leonard’s fingers were still gently curled around hers, their hands resting between them like it was the most natural thing in the world. It hadn’t even registered until Maya spoke.

Her cheeks flushed immediately. "Oh—I, um..." she muttered, and quickly slipped her hand from his.

Leonard didn’t move at first. He just stared at the empty space where their hands had been, his palm still tingling from the warmth that had lingered there.

It was cold now.

I don’t ever want to let go of that hand again.