My Billionaire Ex Beg For A Second Chance-Chapter 165: Bring Them Along

The car ride from the school back to the office was filled with a silence. Felix kept one hand on the steering wheel while the other occasionally tapped the leather, his eyes flicking toward the rearview mirror where the twins sat. Maya was unusually quiet, hugging a stuffed bunny toy Katherine had found in the car. Nathan looked a little sulky, chin tucked as he stared out the window.

Felix glanced at Katherine, who was still holding her phone after just ending a call with Jazz. "She asked what happened?" he said softly.

"She did," Katherine replied, tucking her hair behind her ear. "I told her I’d explain later. Said she doesn’t have to pick them up today."

"Good." Felix nodded, his voice firmer. "They’ve had a rough enough day already."

By the time they arrived at the office building, lunch break had already passed. The front lobby was quieter than usual, but there were still employees milling about. As they stepped in with Maya perched on Felix’s hip and Nathan holding tightly onto Katherine’s hand, heads turned.

Most of the staff didn’t comment, but their curiosity was clear as day. A few exchanged glances, a few smiled, and one even greeted softly, "Mr. Crawford, good afternoon."

"Afternoon," Felix returned the greeting with a nod but didn’t stop walking.

Felix made the decision without much hesitation. He suggested that the twins simply stay at the office until their workday was over. Given everything that had happened earlier and the emotional state the children were still in, it felt like the most reasonable option.

The elevator ride was short and quiet. Nathan looked up at the glowing numbers while Maya leaned her head on Felix’s shoulder, clearly exhausted. Katherine rubbed her thumb over the back of Nathan’s hand, and Felix glanced at the quiet scene, the corner of his mouth softening.

When they reached his office, he pushed the door open with a nudge of his foot and gently placed Maya down on the plush couch. Katherine followed behind with Nathan. The boy paused, looking around as though he hadn’t seen this place in a while. The moment the cool air brushed his skin and the scent of leather surrounded him, a sense of calm washed over him.

"Come on, sit," Felix said, motioning toward the small sitting area near the window. He sat on the single armchair and Nathan promptly climbed into his lap, curling up without a word. Katherine sat beside them on the long couch, pulling Maya gently onto her own lap.

"I’m sorry," Nathan muttered after a moment, his voice muffled as he pressed his face into Felix’s shirt.

Felix placed a hand on Nathan’s back and gave it a reassuring rub. "Hey, don’t say sorry to me. I heard what happened."

Nathan tensed slightly. Felix continued, his voice lower, firmer. "You stood up for your sister. That brat Anton shouldn’t have said those things. You did good."

Nathan peeked up, uncertain. "But... the teacher was mad."

"She had to be," Katherine gently added. "It’s her job to make sure no one gets hurt. Fighting’s not the best way to solve things, Nathan."

"But he made Maya cry." Nathan’s small fists clenched a little. "And he pulled her hair."

Felix glanced at Katherine, then looked down at Nathan. "Sometimes... protecting someone means using words. But if that fails—"

"Felix," Katherine warned lightly, giving him a look.

He cleared his throat. "Then you talk to us. Okay? You tell your teachers. You don’t always need to handle it alone."

Nathan nodded slowly. "Okay."

Katherine kissed the top of Maya’s head, who had been silent all this time, her fingers clinging to the edge of her mother’s blouse. "Maya? You alright, baby?"

The little girl nodded slightly, her voice soft as a whisper. "Anton’s mean."

Felix’s jaw tensed. "Yeah, he is." He looked over at Katherine and whispered, "I’d really like to have a word with this Anton."

"Felix." Katherine gave him a warning glare, but a small smirk tugged at her lips.

He chuckled, brushing Nathan’s hair back. "Alright, alright."

Nathan’s gaze flickered between Felix and Katherine, then dropped to the floor. In a small voice, almost too quiet to catch, he asked, "You’re... not mad at me?"

Felix blinked and glanced toward Katherine, just as she turned to face him too. Their voices overlapped instantly. "No, of course not!"

Nathan’s head lifted a little, eyes wide at the synchronized response. Even Maya looked up.

Felix wrapped an arm more securely around the boy. "Not even close, buddy."

Katherine reached over and brushed Nathan’s bangs aside, her touch feather-light. "Why would we be mad, sweetheart?"

"You didn’t do it to be mean. You were scared for your sister. That’s different."

"You were trying to protect Maya," Katherine added softly. "That’s a big thing for someone your age."

Exactly," Felix said. "We’ll always be proud of you for standing up for Maya. But next time, we’ll show you how to do it with words, just like your mother wants, okay?

After a few more minutes, the twins seemed calmer. Felix checked his watch. "You can go back to your desk, Kath. They can stay with me here."

"You sure?" Katherine looked hesitant.

Felix nodded firmly. "They’ll be fine. Go on, I know you’re itching to check your inbox."

Katherine gave Maya one last squeeze before setting her gently beside Nathan, who had now taken the armchair for himself and stretched his legs like a tiny CEO.

Katherine lingered at the doorway, glancing back once more.

Felix didn’t miss the look. He smirked faintly and waved a dismissive hand toward her, a little shooing gesture as if he were warding off a pesky bird. "Oh, please," he drawled, leaning back against the desk, "they’ll still be in one piece when you come back in."

Katherine crossed her arms, still unconvinced. "It’s you I’m worried about," she muttered under her breath.

"What was that?" Felix arched an eyebrow, pushing off from the desk with an exaggerated tilt of his head.

She blinked, the corner of her lips twitching upward into a small, innocent smile. "Oh, nothing," she said breezily, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

Felix narrowed his eyes playfully but said nothing more, watching her turn and finally step out of the room.