My Billionaire Ex Beg For A Second Chance-Chapter 162: The Things Left Behind

Leonard stepped out of the guest room, letting the hush of the hallway settle around him like a warm blanket. He paused just outside, exhaling slowly as he ran a hand through his hair.

Nathan had finally dozed off, curled protectively against Maya’s side, one small arm flung across her middle as if guarding her in sleep. Katherine had remained behind, seated quietly at the edge of the bed, brushing her fingers through Maya’s hair in slow, absentminded strokes. She had looked up at Leonard before he left, gave him a small, grateful nod.

No words. They didn’t need any.

He descended the stairs slowly, the wooden steps creaking faintly under his weight. Outside the wide windows, the sun had long dipped beneath the horizon, leaving the sky bruised in deep purples and blues.

He found Claudio and Paula in the backyard, quietly tidying up what remained of Julio’s birthday party. Claudio was collecting half-filled cups and paper plates, tossing them into a large black trash bag, while Paula stacked presents into neat piles near the patio doors. There was no music anymore, only the chirping of cicadas and the occasional rustle of wind against the trees.

Leonard stepped out through the glass doors and let the cool night air meet his skin.

"Hey," he said softly.

Claudio turned, offering a tired smile. "Hey."

"Need a hand?"

Paula looked up. "You don’t have to—"

"I know," Leonard cut in gently. "I want to."

Without another word, he stooped down and began gathering strewn napkins from the grass, tucking them into the trash bag Claudio held open.

They worked in silence for a few minutes. The weight of the earlier panic still lingered faintly in the air, dulled by relief and exhaustion.

Finally, Claudio spoke, voice low. "I feel like shit."

Leonard glanced at him. "You and me both."

Claudio exhaled a bitter chuckle. "You don’t get it. I just found out you’re a father, and not even a few hours later, I manage to nearly drown your daughter. That’s gotta be some kind of record for worst uncle ever."

Leonard looked up from the lawn. The shadows under Claudio’s eyes weren’t just from the lack of light.

"Come on," Leonard said gently. "You really think anyone planned this? It was an accident. None of us saw it coming."

"Doesn’t change the fact that it happened on my watch," Claudio muttered, rubbing a hand down his face. "At my house."

"No," Leonard agreed. "But what matters is how we reacted. You got the doctor here. Paula moved faster than I’ve ever seen her move. And Julio? He was more responsible than some adults I know."

Paula had walked over by then, arms folded loosely, but her expression was tight with worry.

"How is she?" she asked, voice soft.

Leonard straightened, brushing his palms on his jeans. "Still asleep. Tired, but safe. Nathan’s curled up beside her. Katherine’s staying with them until they wake up."

Paula let out a breath she didn’t know she’d been holding. "Thank God."

Another quiet half-hour passed. The backyard slowly cleared of the last bits of party remnants. The sky overhead had deepened into full night, stars peeking out in patches through scattered clouds.

Then, the sound of the glass door opening drew all their attention.

Katherine appeared first, carefully cradling Maya against her shoulder. The little girl was still drowsy, her eyes half-lidded, but she clung to her mother like a sleepy kitten. Nathan walked close beside them, rubbing at one eye with the back of his hand.

Claudio and Paula immediately stepped forward.

"You’re leaving?" Paula asked.

Katherine gave a small smile. "I think it’s time. She needs her own bed tonight."

"Are you sure you don’t want to stay the night?" Paula reached forward instinctively, brushing a bit of hair from Maya’s forehead. "You can always use the guest rooms, no trouble at all."

"I appreciate it, really," Katherine said warmly. "But I think the twins will sleep better at home. And so will I."

Leonard stepped forward then, glancing between them.

"Guess that means I’ll head out too," he said lightly.

Claudio raised a brow. "Well, you can take them home, then. Save them the hassle."

Leonard blinked. "Me?"

"What? Don’t tell me you can’t do that."

Leonard tried not to grin. Ah. Right. He hasn’t told Julio about that yet. He could already imagine his reaction when he found out.

He merely nodded. "Will do."

Katherine shot him a glance, but said nothing.

Together, they made their way to the front of the house. Paula leaned in to hug Katherine, one arm still awkwardly brushing Maya’s back. "Don’t be a stranger, alright? Come visit. I want to see the twins again soon."

Katherine nodded, smiling gently. "We will. Thank you again for everything."

Julio came bounding out the front door, his cheeks still a little sticky from cake. He stopped just short when he saw them.

"You’re going?" he asked, looking at Nathan and Maya.

"Yeah," Nathan said with a small smiled.

Julio nodded solemnly. Then he reached out and gave Maya’s arm a quick pat. "Feel better, okay?"

Maya nodded. "Okay, Juls."

Julio turned to Nathan. "See you tomorrow?"

"Yeah. See you at school."

The kids exchanged sleepy smiles, and then Katherine helped buckle them into their car seats while Leonard opened the trunk and handed her a small bag.

"Everything’s inside," he said quietly. "Clothes, meds."

"Thanks," she murmured, their eyes meeting for a moment.

Leonard nodded and turned toward his own car. As he slid into the driver’s seat, he watched Katherine’s taillights light up in the dark, her car pulling gently out of the driveway. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

He waited a beat. Then followed behind, his headlights glowing steady in the night.

Through the windshield, he could just make out the back of the twins’ heads leaning against each other. Katherine’s silhouette at the wheel.

He raised one hand and waved to his nephew.

The night was calm, and for the first time in hours, Leonard felt like he could finally breathe.

They were going home.