My Billionaire Ex Beg For A Second Chance-Chapter 182: The Ones He Left Behind

The cemetery was quiet, save for the faint rustling of trees and the soft crunch of gravel under their shoes. Sunlight filtered gently through scattered clouds. They had all gathered around the grave now, just in front of the gray marble headstone engraved with WINSTON FORD.

Leonard stood slightly to the back, hands deep in his coat pockets. He glanced sideways as Claudio stepped forward, expression taut but eyes gentle. There was a red tinge around his eyes like he had cried earlier but cleaned up before arriving.

"Hey, Dad," Claudio said, voice steady. "It’s been six years year. Crazy, huh? Julio’s grown a lot. You’d really like him now. He’s smart, like Paula, but kind of stubborn like me." He gave a faint smile and rubbed the back of his neck. "Work’s been nuts. Still trying to live up to the ’Winston Ford standard,’ you know? Not easy. Never was."

He chuckled softly, the sound strangely intimate against the still air of the cemetery. "I miss you every day. I still catch myself wanting to call you when something goes right. Or wrong. Mostly wrong, actually."

Paula touched his shoulder, then stepped forward herself. Her black dress fluttered faintly in the breeze as she bent slightly toward the tombstone.

"You were always so grumpy when you skipped your coffee," she murmured, lips twitching into a bittersweet smile. "But you loved Julio like he was the sun. You were so good to him, Winston. I hope you know he still remembers you."

She straightened and turned to her son. "Julio, go on. Say hi to Grandpa."

Julio, dressed in a tiny black blazer and slacks, clutched the flower bouquet tightly in his small hands. He stepped forward carefully, eyes wide and solemn.

"Hi, Grandpa," he said shyly. He stared at the engraved name and the dates beneath. "I brought you these." He placed the flowers down gently. "Mom says you liked lilies."

Leonard felt something twist inside him. That was true. Winston did like yellow lilies. A strange choice for someone so stoic, but he always said they looked like sunshine.

Then came Katherine’s turn.

Leonard looked at her. Her eyes lingered on the tombstone like she was trying to memorize it. She took a slow breath and stepped forward, the twins hovering beside her.

"Hi, Winston," Katherine said softly, her voice nearly swallowed by the breeze. "I hope you’re at peace."

She paused, her voice caught in her throat.

Leonard could see her blink rapidly, lashes wet.

"I brought the kids," she said, trying to sound steady. "I think you would have loved them."

Maya stepped forward first. She knelt down, her curls tied neatly back, and touched the cold stone with one small hand.

"Hi, Grandpa Winston," she said politely. "I’m Maya. This is my brother Nathan."

"We’re Julio’s friends," Nathan added, squatting beside her. He placed his hand on the grave, mirroring his sister.

"We came to visit you today," Maya continued. "We brought flowers, too."

Together, they laid down a small bouquet of flowers they picked earlier. Katherine had let them pick, and somehow, without knowing, they had chosen the same combination Winston had once kept in his office vase.

Leonard blinked. A strange lump rose in his throat. He hadn’t thought about that vase in years.

After the twins stepped back, the air turned expectant. Everyone looked at Leonard.

He stepped forward slowly, like each step weighed more than the last.

"Hi, Dad," he murmured. His voice was rough, not from emotion, but from lack of use. He hadn’t said those words aloud in too long. "Sorry I just made it today."

There wasn’t more he could say. Not in front of everyone.

Claudio glanced at him, concerned. "You okay?"

Leonard gave a small nod. "Yeah."

Paula looked down at Julio. "We should give Uncle Leonard a moment with his dad, yeah?"

Julio nodded, taking her hand. "Bye, Grandpa."

Everyone turned to leave. Katherine gave Leonard one last look, it wasn’t pressing or curious. Just understanding.

Once they were gone, Leonard sat down on the low stone border around the grave. The silence pressed in around him. The only sounds were the wind through the leaves and the occasional bird call from the trees.

"You were right about everything," Leonard said finally.

His voice sounded strange in the stillness, like it didn’t belong.

"About me. About how I didn’t know what I was doing. About Katherine."

He looked down at the grass. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

"You yelled at me when I told you I was getting divorced. You said I was making the worst mistake of my life. I didn’t believe you then. But you knew. You always knew."

He exhaled, rubbing his face with one hand. His fingers were cold.

"I should have fought harder for her. For us. But I didn’t. I gave up. I ran. And now... now I spend every day trying to piece back what I broke."

He looked up at the grave.

"Those kids... they’re amazing, Dad. You’d love them. Maya’s smart and kind. Nathan’s got this big heart. And they’re funny. God, they make me laugh in a way I haven’t in years."

He swallowed.

"They’re mine."

The confession landed like a rock in his stomach.

"I didn’t even know until recently. And part of me doesn’t think I deserve them. Or her. But I’m trying. I swear to you, I’m trying to fix this. Not just for me, but for them. And for you."

A gust of wind swept through the cemetery. It ruffled his coat and stirred the flowers on the grave.

Leonard closed his eyes. For a moment, it felt like something passed through him, warm, and fleeting.

He opened his eyes and smiled faintly.

"I’ll take care of them, Dad."

He rose to his feet, brushing his coat down, and gave the headstone one last glance.

"I’ll promise I’ll visit often."

Then, without another word, he turned and walked back the way he came, leaving only the whisper of wind behind him.