My Billionaire Ex Beg For A Second Chance-Chapter 17: What Could Have Been

The clock struck one, and Leonard rose from his chair with a soft exhale. The sunlight streaming through the tall windows of his office painted golden streaks across the polished floor, highlighting the lean lines of his black suit. He adjusted his cufflinks absently as he walked toward the door, slipping his phone into his pocket.

Becca, his secretary, looked up from her desk, a faint smile on her lips as he approached.

"Heading out for lunch, Mr. Ford?"

Leonard nodded and paused by her desk. "Yeah, I’ll be out for a while. Might come back a little late. I’m meeting a friend."

"Should I reschedule your three-thirty?"

He gave her a tight smile. "Only if I’m not back by three."

Becca jotted a note in her planner and nodded. "Got it. Enjoy your lunch."

Leonard offered a nod before heading toward the elevator, the cool metal doors closing with a hushed sigh behind him.

As he stepped inside, he loosened his tie just a little and leaned against the cold wall, eyes drifting shut for a second. It had been a long week, but the idea of seeing his best friend, Marco, lifted some of the weight off his shoulders. Lunch with him—it was one of the few things he still genuinely looked forward to.

Despite everything that had changed over the years—the long hours, the failed marriage, the guarded conversations with family—his bond with Marco remained a rare constant. He wasn’t the type to indulge in nostalgia often, but sometimes, during these short drives to the quiet side of the city, he allowed himself a brief pause from the life he built and the life he let slip away.

The restaurant Marco had picked was tucked into the quieter side of the city—an old Italian place they used to frequent back when their lives were simpler.

Marco had been Leonard’s best friend since their college days, the kind of friend who stuck around through messy breakups, career highs and lows, and everything in between. Despite their busy schedules, it wasn’t unusual for them to meet like this—over lunch, reminiscing and catching up, keeping that bond alive.

Like Leonard, Marco was a busy man, balancing a demanding job with his personal life. But unlike Leonard, Marco had a little family waiting for him at home—a wife and a child, and now, as Leonard would soon learn, another on the way.

It still had the same rust-colored brick walls and vintage wall sconces, and the air smelled of tomato sauce, garlic, and fresh basil.

Leonard stepped inside and immediately spotted Marco, seated at their usual corner booth. He was already halfway through a basket of breadsticks, his tie loosened and shirt sleeves rolled up. Some things never changed.

"Look who finally decided to grace me with his presence," Marco teased as Leonard approached.

Leonard smirked, sliding into the seat across from him. "You’ve had a ten-minute head start and a carb advantage. Unfair."

"Please, like you ever needed help catching up," Marco replied, tossing a breadstick into his mouth with theatrical flair. "How long has it been since we did this? Two months?"

"More like three," Leonard said, picking up the menu more out of habit than necessity. He already knew what he’d order. "You always say we need to meet up more often, but you’re the one married with a kid."

Marco grinned. "True. Alisha keeps me on a tight leash. But I’m not complaining."

Leonard glanced up, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. "Never thought I’d see the day Marco De Luca went full domesticated."

"Yeah, yeah," Marco said, waving him off. "But listen, I have news."

Leonard set the menu down. "Good or bad?"

"Depends on your perspective," Marco said, that familiar glint in his eyes. He leaned in slightly. "Alisha’s pregnant."

For a moment, Leonard didn’t speak. He blinked, then let out a breathy chuckle. "You serious?"

Marco nodded, clearly beaming. "Dead serious. We found out last week. She’s two months along."

Leonard leaned back in the booth, a genuine smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Wow. Number two, huh? Congratulations, man. That’s... that’s amazing."

"Thanks," Marco said, clearly touched. He looked down for a second, fiddling with his napkin. "It’s weird. I didn’t think I could be this happy again. We’ve been through some tough stuff, but now... everything feels settled. Whole."

Leonard nodded slowly, but his gaze drifted past Marco—past the brick walls and flickering sconces, out the window where the afternoon sun washed the world in gold.

"You ever think about having kids?" Marco asked suddenly, his voice breaking into Leonard’s thoughts.

Leonard blinked, refocusing. "I used to," he admitted. "A long time ago."

And it really was a long time ago, wasn’t it? Now it all felt like a dream he barely remembered—the kind that fades as soon as you open your eyes.

Marco didn’t press, just nodded slowly.

They talked about other things after that—football, work, their old college days—but the conversation never quite shook the weight of that announcement. Leonard smiled, laughed, even joked, but a part of him remained elsewhere.

When lunch was over and they walked out into the warm daylight, Marco clapped a hand on Leonard’s shoulder.

"We’ll get the kids together one day," he said with a grin. "Yours and mine. They’ll be best friends."

Leonard smiled but didn’t answer.

As Marco walked away toward his car, waving over his shoulder, Leonard stood still on the sidewalk. The city buzzed around him—cars honking, people chatting, life moving on.

He looked up at the sky, blue and cloudless, and exhaled slowly.

Would this have been my life? he wondered. If I hadn’t been such an idiot...

A wife. A child. A second child on the way. A life built with someone he loved.

The ache settled quietly in his chest.

Regret, he thought, wasn’t always loud. Sometimes it whispered. Sometimes it sat beside you during lunch, smiling in your friend’s eyes. Sometimes it followed you out into the sunlight and refused to leave. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Leonard shoved his hands into his pockets and walked away without looking back.