My Billionaire Ex Beg For A Second Chance

"No, not that shade either. A darker red. Elegant, not too flashy. Sophisticated."

Felix spoke into his Bluetooth earpiece, one hand on the steering wheel, the other resting against the open window of his car.

There was a brief silence on the other end of the line, followed by a muffled confirmation.

"Perfect. Thank you," Felix said, and then tapped his earpiece to end the call. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

He exhaled heavily, slumping back into the seat. "Geez," he muttered, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Why didn’t I just hire a damn planner for this?"

His lips twisted into a dry smile. He could’ve delegated the whole thing—flowers, reservations, decor—with a single email. But he didn’t. Not this time.

Because this wasn’t just anything.

This was for Katherine.

And that made all the difference.

"I need to do it right," he murmured to himself, fingers tapping the steering wheel. "I need to do it myself."

After a few moments of thoughtful silence, Felix straightened in his seat and started the engine again, maneuvering the car through the narrow residential street until he parked just a short walk from Katherine’s apartment building.

He stepped out of the vehicle, fixing the cuffs of his button-down shirt and smoothing his jacket. Katherine might not notice, or maybe she would, but he wanted to look his best without seeming like he was trying too hard.

Felix took the elevator up, hands in his pockets, trying not to replay what he wanted to say over and over in his head. He reached her door and knocked gently.

A moment later, it opened.

Katherine stood there in soft jeans and a white blouse, her hair neatly pulled back, face fresh and soft with morning light.

"Hey," she said, a little surprised, but not unkindly. "You’re early."

"Couldn’t sleep," Felix grinned, rocking back on his heels. "Can I come in?"

"Sure," she stepped aside, motioning him in.

Inside, the twins were already buzzing around with their backpacks half-zipped and shoes untied, clearly in the middle of their morning chaos.

"Uncle Felix!" Maya squealed when she spotted him, running forward to hug his legs. Nathan followed right after, tossing a toy in the air before latching onto Felix’s arm.

"Whoa, I’m under attack!" Felix laughed, crouching to ruffle both their heads. "Did you two eat already?"

"We had toast!" Nathan declared. "But no jam. Mommy said no sugar today."

Felix raised an eyebrow at Katherine, who only shrugged with a half-smile from the kitchen. "Discipline starts early," she said.

He chuckled, standing again. "That’s my Katherine."

She looked up at that—a flicker of something crossing her face—but said nothing.

Ten minutes later, the twins were ready and zipping around the living room like bouncing ping-pong balls. Felix stood by the door, holding his phone and nervously checking the time again. He took a slow breath, then turned toward Katherine just as she reached for her purse.

"Wait," he said, stepping closer. "Katherine, can we—"

Before the words could leave his mouth, the ding of the elevator cut through the hallway. Both their heads turned.

Then, a voice.

"Good morning!"

Felix stiffened.

Leonard appeared at the end of the hall, dressed casually but neatly, a bouquet of small sunflowers in his hand.

Katherine blinked, visibly caught off guard. "Leonard?"

"Hi!" Leonard smiled brightly, then leaned down as the twins raced past Felix and Katherine toward him.

"Uncle Leo!" Maya cried.

Leonard bent down to catch them both in a big, warm hug. "Missed you two."

"You came again!" Nathan beamed.

Felix stood a little to the side, watching the twins throw themselves into Leonard’s arms with the kind of joy that always managed to catch him off guard.

He folded his arms, tilting his head slightly. Were the kids just that openhearted? Quick to attach themselves to any adult who smiled at them kindly and knew how to crouch down to their level? Or was there something deeper—something instinctual, maybe?

Maybe they didn’t know the truth. But they felt something. A connection that wasn’t just friendliness or good timing.

Felix exhaled slowly through his nose. Either way, it didn’t matter right now. They were happy. That was what mattered most.

Leonard finally stood up, his arms still half-full of giggling kids who reluctantly let go. He brushed his palms together and turned toward the adults, his gaze moving between them.

"Hi, Felix," he said, offering a quick, polite nod and a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

"Hey," Felix returned, more reserved.

Leonard’s face shifted almost immediately when he looked at Katherine, brightening into something warmer. He stepped forward and extended them toward her with a hopeful look on his face.

"For you," he said, his voice gentler. "Hope your day’s as bright as these."

Katherine blinked once, twice, clearly surprised. Her gaze flicked between the flowers and Leonard’s face. "Oh," she said, reaching out a little hesitantly. "Thank you."

She held the bouquet like she wasn’t quite sure what to do with it, her fingers brushing the stems.

"So... actually... I was hoping," Leonard said, his eyes flicking to Katherine, "that I could bring the twins to kindergarten today."

"Oh," Katherine said, a touch startled. She glanced at Felix, who tried—and failed—to hide the disappointment in his eyes.

Before either adult could say anything, the twins cheered, "Yes! Please, Mommy, can Uncle Leo take us?"

Leonard turned to Katherine again, smiling faintly. "Only if it’s okay with you."

Katherine hesitated, clearly surprised by the request... but the twins were looking at her with such hope in their eyes, bouncing in place. She sighed softly, a reluctant smile tugging at her lips. "Sure."

"Thank you," Leonard said, his voice low but sincere.

Felix shifted uncomfortably at the side, jaw tightening.

Leonard stood, adjusting Nathan’s backpack strap. "Alright, munchkins, let’s go."

"Bye, Mommy! Bye, Uncle Felix!" the twins shouted, waving frantically as Leonard took them by the hand and started walking down the hallway.

Katherine and Felix stood at the doorway, watching them until they disappeared behind the closing elevator doors.

Felix let out a breath.

She turned to look at him, a small smile still lingering on her lips. "They were excited."

"Yeah," Felix muttered, then paused. "Are you... okay?"

Katherine nodded, brushing a stray hair behind her ear. "I’m fine. Let’s go?"

Felix looked at her for a moment longer, something flickering in his gaze.

Then he smiled and nodded. "Yeah. Let’s go."

She turned first, walking ahead, with Felix following behind, his eyes fixed on her and the sunflower bouquet she carried.