Dear ex-Wife please be mine again

Chapter 52

Alexander POV,

As I watched Ethan and Emma run around the park, their laughter echoing through the crisp afternoon air, my heart felt lighter than it had in days. Ethan suddenly stopped mid–run, turning to face me with that bold, curious look that always reminded me so much of Christiana.

“Dad, can we stay with you tonight?” he asked, his tone direct, as if he was negotiating a deal.

I raised an eyebrow, amused. “What about your mom?” I asked, already anticipating what her response might be.

Ethan grinned, his confidence radiating. “You should call her! Tell her we want to stay.”

I felt a surge of satisfaction ripple through me. The thought of them wanting to stay with me–it made the tension I’d been carrying all day melt away. I pulled out my phone, dialing Christiana’s number.

After a few rings, she answered, her tone neutral. “Alex.”

“Christiana, how are you?” I asked, keeping my voice steady, knowing her cold response was coming.

“I’m fine,” she replied curtly, not bothering to ask me the same. I could practically feel the wall between us.

I didn’t let her tone deter me. “Ethan and Emma want to stay with me tonight. They’re here with me now, and they’ve been asking. I think it would be good for them.”

There was silence on the other end. I imagined her sitting wherever she was, stunned at my directness. When she finally spoke, her voice had a bite to it. “Alex, they can’t just stay with you. I’ve already made arrangements for them at the hotel. They need stability right now.”

Ethan and Emma had wandered back to my side, and I could hear them whispering, talking about how much they wanted to stay. I held the phone a little closer to my ear, hoping Christiana could hear their voices in the background.

“Mom, please,” Ethan called out, sensing the conversation was about them. “We want to stay with Dad. Just for one night.”

Christiana sighed on the other end, and I knew she could hear the sincerity in their voices. There was a long pause, and I could tell she was weighing the options.

“I don’t know, Alex, she said, her voice softer now but still skeptical. “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“Christiana,” I said firmly, not backing down. “They’re safe with me. They need this. Just for tonight. Let them stay

Another long pause. Then, finally, with reluctance, she gave in. “Fine. Just for one night. But I expect them back early tomorrow.”

I couldn’t help the small smile that formed on my lips. “Of course,” I said, my tone respectful, though inside I was already planning the night ahead. “Thank you.”

“Don’t push your luck, Alex,” she warned, and I could almost see the sharp look in her eyes through the phone. “And don’t think this changes anything”

“I understand,” I replied, my voice low, but my heart was racing. Christiana may have her walls up, but I knew the kids needed both of us. This was a small victory, and I wasn’t about to ruin it.

I slid the phone back into my pocket, turning to Ethan

his

grinned. “Looks like you’re staying with

erupted into cheers, throwing their arms around me. I held them tightly, my heart full. Despite everything, this moment–being with them–was

up to the long driveway leading to my house, I glanced at the rearview mirror and watched Ethan and Emma’s faces light up. Their eyes widened as they took in the massive estate, the fountains

Clupter 52

that stretched far beyond the eye could

house?” Ethan’s voice

tonight,” I said with a smile, stepping out of the car and walking around to open their

“It’s so big,” she whispered, her voice filled with both

into the massive foyer. The high ceilings and chandeliers greeted us, and I could see them glancing around, mouths slightly open. It was the first time they’d been here. Too much time had been lost, but I was determined to

around,” I said, gesturing toward

do you have a game room? Or like a movie theater? Can we

laughed, trailing behind him as Emma tugged at my hand. “You’ll

which made. Ethan nearly jump out of his skin in excitement. Emma giggled beside me, her shyness melting away as she began asking questions of

your room?” she asked quietly, looking up at me with those

strand of her hair behind her ear. “You can stay wherever you feel most comfortable.

Emma could answer. “Dad, I’m starving!

I said, my

going to cook, Dad?” Emma asked, her voice tinged with surprise. “I didn’t

back of my neck, “It’s been a while, but yeah, I can. Let’s see

The butlers, the maids–they all faded

on tiptoes by the counter. “What are you making?” Ethan

I suggested, smiling as I stirred a pot. “Something simple, but it’s

I help?” Emma asked, her voice soft

said, handing her a small spoon to

hot

is cool.

“There’s a lot you don’t know about me, buddy. But I plan

of their chatter. Emma was carefully stirring while Ethan rambled on about everything and nothing at once. They bombarded me with questions about my work, the house, and life in general, their curiosity endless. It was overwhelming,

they dug in, I couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of pride. It was the first meal I had cooked in five years, and it felt like a small step

good, Dad,” Ethan said between

added, nodding her head vigorously. “I like

Chapter 52

here with me,

and laughing. Ethan, as usual, had