Chapter 361: Day Out

"You are out with Ewan and the kids? After you announced to the whole world that you chose Antonio over your past?"

Aiden’s incredulous tone over the phone had Athena sighing weakly as she watched the kids clamber onto a merry‑go‑round with Ewan. The whole world was just her little family in the sitting room, but Aiden was making it sound like she’d staged a press conference.

He even sounded like Gianna, who had been sulking ever since then; hating to have been absent from home during that supposedly defining moment. Her best friend had even come home earlier than usual yesterday, popping in at intervals during the same, thirsting for drama.

Unfortunately for Gianna, Ewan hadn’t shown up — not until this afternoon... to take the children to the park.

He still hadn’t looked at her — not really. Except to send her a polite greeting and ask for Kathleen’s toy.

"Athena Caddels?"

Athena opened her mouth to give Aiden the same dry answer she’d given her friends when asked about this outing, but Ewan beckoned at that moment.

"Are you coming?"

And just like that, the words — saliva included — dried up in her mouth.

This was the first time he’d smiled at her since the incident. And that smile... boy, did it cause her heart to race.

"Yes, coming!" Her voice sounded far chirpier than she would have liked, and when Aiden chuckled in her ear, she knew she’d been right on the money.

She only hoped Ewan was too preoccupied with the children to notice she was suddenly flustered around him. But he turned away the moment she ended the call and started toward him, climbing onto a horse without waiting for her.

Not so gentlemanly now, are we?

She held back a scoff and climbed onto an adjacent horse as gracefully as she could — right before the recreational machine roared to life. The laughter of her children as the equipment spun them around was enough to keep a permanent smile on her face... and to keep the nerves at bay.

However, it couldn’t keep Ewan out of her mind. Not with him teasing and laughing alongside the kids. Every so often, when she caught herself staring, she would forcefully remember the sex with Antonio, and the constant flurry of texts they’d been exchanging ever since — love texts, photo texts, morning, noon, and night.

So much for the space she’d once clamored for.

"Do you want ice cream?"

ice cream stand, her hands slipping into the pockets of her caramel‑colored Zara shorts. Had they

from her foolish thoughts. She smiled like she’d just

their ice cream, they wandered around the park, admiring statues, gardens, and other refreshing

this place, Daddy!" Kate announced with such over‑the‑top enthusiasm

you like, Mommy? Did they think she was

of her petty thoughts, and shame

She stopped walking.

okay, Mommy?" Nathaniel stopped beside her, alerting Kate to

her brother had fallen back. A frown creased her little face when she saw her mother

"Daddy, wait..."

with a variety of emotions, enough to make him pity his own heart—turned to see the object of Kate’s

his own head that he hadn’t noticed her fall behind. Or rather, he

seem like he was aware of every breath she took, every sigh, every movement of those beautiful

"Athena, are you okay?"

the opportunity to admire every detail of him, including those muscles only sparsely hidden beneath his clothes. Which gym does he

I’m fine. Just tired. Can you take them on? I think I’ll just take

frowned. "Are you sure? We can sit with you. Do

Maybe some clarity on why

go on. I’ll catch up with you

a curt nod, his lips pressing into a thin line, and turned to

they sidled closer to

Out of habit, he wondered if Athena was doing this to take the children away from him. But in the same vein, he dismissed it. Athena

socials—but he was still intent on repaying her for saving

he would do it as a good

the best father there was—the best

with you," he said at last, seeing that Athena was having no luck convincing the children to go

here till sunset.

was barely over a whisper, as though she were afraid of hurting Ewan.

Good for the socials and

"And what is that

along with that same confusing anger that had been simmering ever since his text to her

swallowed. He’d crossed a line. "I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it

him off. "Go with the kids.

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