My Billionaire Ex Beg For A Second Chance-Chapter 202: The Man Who Promised

The silence that followed Leonard’s vow was thick and suffocating. It hung in the air like the aftershock of a thunderclap, crackling with something unspoken. Katherine’s hands were clenched, her back rigid against the cushions of the couch, and her heart thudded erratically in her chest.

"I meant what I said," Leonard spoke again, his voice low but unwavering. "If anyone tries to hurt you or the twins, I won’t just stand by. I’ll cut them down. Miranda, or anyone else, I don’t care who is it."

Katherine flinched slightly, not from fear, but from the raw, terrifying sincerity in his tone. He was serious, like dead serious. His fists were loosely clenched at his sides, jaw taut, eyes dark and stormy with resolve.

Leonard saw the flicker of unease in her eyes and took a small step back, his features softening. He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, sighing. "Sorry. That came out a little too strong. I didn’t mean to scare you. I just... I can’t stand the thought of her trying something again."

Katherine swallowed and looked at him, her gaze steady now. "I’m not afraid of you, Leonard," she said quietly, her voice steady but laced with vulnerability. "I’m just... not used to someone saying things like that for me."

Leonard blinked. For a moment, he didn’t know what to say. His shoulders slackened slightly, a corner of his mouth twitching into something almost resembling a smile, but it didn’t quite make it there.

"Then I’ll say it as many times as it takes," he murmured, taking a seat across from her. "Until you get used to it."

Katherine looked down, her lashes brushing her cheeks. Her fingers fidgeted with the hem of her blouse, heart still hammering in her chest from everything that had happened in just a short amount of time.

Leonard leaned forward, elbows on his knees. "She’s been... relentless," he said. "Miranda, I mean. Coming to my office. Calling from different numbers. It’s like she’s completely lost touch with reality."

Katherine’s brow furrowed. "Maybe she still loves you."

"Tch, please," Leonard replied bitterly. "Maybe she just can’t stand that she doesn’t have it anymore. But her biggest mistake wasn’t harassing me. It was laying a hand on you and the twins. That’s when she crossed a line she can’t ever come back from."

Katherine’s lips parted slightly, eyes searching his. "What exactly did she do to get arrested?"

Leonard shook his head. "You don’t need to worry about that."

Her eyes narrowed. "Leonard."

He sighed, dragging a hand down his face. "She’s being charged with multiple counts of harassment, property damage, and for attempting to enter a private property without permission. But you don’t need to worry," he repeated more firmly, locking eyes with her. "She won’t come near you or the twins again. I made sure of that."

Before Katherine could respond, the quiet creak of a door opening interrupted the moment.

"Mommy, I’m thirsty," Maya’s small voice called out from the hallway, her sleep-tousled head peeking around the corner.

Leonard immediately stood. "Hey, sweetheart. Let’s get you some water."

Katherine smiled softly as Leonard walked over and gently scooped Maya into his arms. The little girl looped her arms around his neck without hesitation. Leonard carried her to the kitchen, moving with quiet confidence, as if he’d done this hundreds of times.

Katherine watched as he poured her a small glass, held it as she drank, then carried her back toward the bedroom.

"Did you have a bad dream?" he asked softly.

"No. I just woke up. I thought I heard yelling."

Leonard glanced toward the living room where Katherine sat, then back at Maya with a reassuring smile. "Just adult talk. Nothing scary. Go back to sleep, okay?"

Maya nodded, resting her head on his shoulder as he tucked her back into bed. Katherine heard the soft murmur of his voice as he said goodnight and gently closed her door.

A moment later, Leonard emerged again, walking back toward her.

"She okay?" Katherine asked.

He nodded. "Yeah. Out like a light."

There was a pause. The earlier heaviness returned, though now it had settled into something less frantic and more reflective.

Leonard rubbed his neck again. "I should head back to my place."

Katherine nodded, standing up with him. "Okay."

Leonard hesitated at the doorway, looking at her one last time. "Just knock on my door if anything happens. Even if it’s something small. Promise me."

She nodded. "I promise."

He gave her a faint smile, opened the door, and stepped out into the quiet night.

The moment the door clicked shut, silence engulfed the apartment again.

Katherine exhaled slowly and walked to the couch. Her knees bent as she sat down again, reaching for her phone almost by habit.

She opened the browser and typed in Miranda’s name, expecting another headline or some additional details about her charges.

Instead, her eyes caught something entirely different.

A news headline, bold and striking, sat at the top of the entertainment feed.

Felix Crawford’s Shocking Engagement to Mysterious Woman: Who Is the Woman Who Stole His Heart?

Katherine’s breath caught in her throat.

Her thumb hovered above the screen, unmoving.

The photo attached to the article showed Felix stepping out of a building, holding a woman’s hand. The image was blurry, likely taken from a distance.

She blinked.

Once.

Twice.

The world around her dimmed, the soft humming of the refrigerator, the ticking of the clock, the occasional car passing outside, all of it faded to a dull roar as she stared at the headline.

Felix. Engaged.

To Lara Johanssen.

Her fingers curled around the edge of her phone, tightening.

The article waited patiently to be opened.

But Katherine could only stare at the screen, her chest tightening with something she couldn’t name.

Shock. Confusion. Maybe even betrayal.

She swallowed the sudden lump in her throat, blinking hard.

The words danced before her eyes.

Felix Crawford’s Shocking Engagement...

So Lara... wasn’t lying after all?