My Billionaire Ex Beg For A Second Chance-Chapter 18: Evening With My Angels

The faint clatter of keyboards and soft murmurs of conversations were beginning to fade as employees wrapped up their day, signaling the approach of the long-awaited off-hours.

Katherine shut down her computer and stood from her chair, smoothing down the front of her blouse as she exhaled softly. Her heart fluttered—not from exhaustion, but from anticipation. The same warm thrill she felt every time the clock neared the end of the day.

She gathered her handbag and her neatly folded blazer from the back of her chair, a rare smile tugging at her lips. "Finally," she murmured to herself, slinging the bag over her shoulder.

Felix stepped out of his office at the same time, jacket already on and keys spinning around one finger. He gave her a knowing look. "Ready to go?"

Katherine nodded, her eyes glinting. "You have no idea. I’ve been dying to see my angels all day."

He chuckled as they walked side by side down the hallway. "You mean the twins, not me, right?"

Katherine laughed. "They rank higher than you, Mr. Crawford."

"Ouch." He clutched his chest in mock pain. "But fair. Still, I’m pretty excited myself. I want to hear all about their first day."

"You do?" she asked, glancing up at him with surprise. Fake one, of course.

"Of course I did." His voice was soft, almost fond. "Nathan and Maya’s first day in kindergarten? That’s a big deal."

They walked through the parking lot as the sun dipped lower. Katherine unlocked her modest car while Felix opened the door to his sleek black SUV. They exchanged a smile before getting in, both heading to the same destination.

Minutes later, they pulled up in front of the beige-brick apartment complex Katherine called home. The building was quiet, the usual hum of weekday life settling into evening stillness. They walked in together, side by side again, and took the elevator to the fourth floor.

Katherine reached into her bag and pressed a quick code into the keypad beside the door. A beep, a click, and the door creaked open.

The moment it did, two small bodies flung themselves at her legs.

"Mommy!"

"Mama!"

Nathan clung to her right leg, his tiny arms tight and warm. Maya was latched onto her left, her pigtails bouncing as she beamed up at her mother.

Katherine laughed, bending slightly to run her fingers through their hair. "My babies! I missed you so much!"

"We missed you too!" Maya chirped. "I made a sun with glitter glue at school!"

"And I played with blocks and drew a dinosaur!" Nathan added proudly.

"Welcome back, you two," a calmer, older voice chimed in from the living room.

Katherine looked up to see Jasmine—or Jazz, as the twins affectionately called her—emerging from the couch with a gentle smile. A few textbooks were spread out before her, and her backpack sat half-zipped by her feet.

"Hey, Jazz," Katherine said warmly, guiding the twins gently aside so they could all step in. "Thank you again for today."

Jazz gave a nonchalant shrug, slinging her bag over one shoulder. "No worries. The twins were angels, as usual."

"You sure we’re talking about the same kids?" Felix quipped as he stepped inside.

Jazz smirked, tossing her ponytail over her shoulder. "You’re just jealous because they like me more than you."

Katherine rolled her eyes as the twins giggled. "Ignore him. You’re a lifesaver."

Jazz winked. "I know." Then she turned to the twins and ruffled their hair. "See you tomorrow, mini monsters."

"Bye Jazz!" they both shouted in unison.

With one last teasing glance between Katherine and Felix—a look that said you two better figure it out soon—Jazz slipped out the door.

The apartment fell into a warm quiet again, filled with the faint hum of the fridge and the twins’ bubbling chatter.

Felix set his keys down on the kitchen counter, looking around the cozy space. "You know," he said, plopping onto the sofa, "it always smells like something sweet in here."

"That’s because I bake when I’m stressed."

"Really Not because of me?"

"Haha. You wish," she said with a mock sigh, sitting beside him.

Nathan and Maya immediately climbed onto the sofa, squirming between them and talking over each other.

"Miss Yuna said I was good at cutting shapes!"

"I got to pour juice by myself!"

"There was a big kid who cried but I didn’t cry!"

Felix nodded attentively, smiling as his gaze bounced between them. "That’s impressive. You two are braver than I was on my first day."

"Really?" Maya asked wide-eyed.

"I cried and asked for my mom until lunchtime," he admitted with a sheepish grin.

They all laughed, even Katherine, who felt a strange tightness in her chest. It was this scene—so ordinary, yet so precious—that she would bottle up if she could. These quiet, happy evenings with her children and... Felix.

As the sky outside darkened into velvet and stars began to pierce through, Katherine stood and walked to the kitchen. The scent of baked chicken and buttery mashed potatoes filled the air.

Dinner was a soft, laughter-filled blur. Felix helped set the table, and the twins insisted he sit next to them. Between bites, they continued their enthusiastic storytelling, and Felix soaked in every word.

When it was finally time to go, Felix stood at the door, slipping his jacket on.

"Thanks for dinner," he said, his voice low and sincere.

Katherine nodded. "Thanks for coming. They really like having you around."

He looked at her for a beat longer than necessary, something unreadable in his expression, before smiling. "I like being here."

Then he was gone.

Katherine closed the door behind him, her fingers lingering on the handle.

She turned and picked up the twins, one in each arm, their sleepy faces tucked into her shoulders. After brushing their teeth and tucking them into bed, she sat beside them for a moment.

Nathan mumbled something in his sleep, and Maya’s little hand found her mother’s.

They looked so peaceful.

So much like him.

Katherine blinked. The thought came out of nowhere, sharp and sudden. Her heart clenched.

She slapped her own cheek lightly, trying to chase it away.

"Don’t," she whispered to herself, rising from the edge of the bed.

But the resemblance remained, lingering there.