Chapter 69

Christiana’s POV

It was early evening, and the kids were finally settled in their playroom, but I could feel the weight of their curious eyes on me, Emma was sitting cross–legged on the floor, fiddling with a stuffed bunny, while Ethan was sprawled on the couch with a tablet in his hands. They’d been strangely quiet all afternoon, but I knew them better than that. The questions were coming: it was only a matter of time.

I sighed softly, sipping my tea, trying to mentally prepare for the inevitable conversation. They were five, but they were sharp..too sharp sometimes.

“Mommy.” Emma finally piped up, her big brown eyes wide as she looked up at me. “Are you and Daddy going to be together again?”

And there it was.

I nearly choked on my tea. I set the cup down carefully, forcing a smile onto my face. “No, sweetheart. Daddy and I aren’t going to be together like that again.”

Emma’s face scrunched up, and she dropped her stuffed bunny to her lap. “But whyyyy not?” Her voice was whiny, her bottom lip jutting out in the most dramatic pout I’d ever seen.

Ethan, not to be left out, sat up straight and joined the conversation. “Yeah, why not?” His expression was much more serious than Emma’s, but there was a curious light in his eyes. “You were together before. You could just… do it again, right?”

I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees, trying to find the right words to explain this in a way they’d understand. “Well, it’s not that simple. Sometimes grown–ups realize that they’re better apart than together.”

“But you were together last night! Emma protested, bouncing up to her feet. “You slept in the same room!” Her eyes were full of accusation, like she’d caught me in some elaborate scheme.

I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to suppress a laugh. “That was because Mommy wasn’t feeling well, and Daddy wanted to make sure I was okay. It doesn’t mean we’re getting back together, Em

Emma wasn’t convinced. She folded her arms across her chest, pouting even harder. “But I want you to be together!” she whined, stamping her foot for extra emphasis.

I sighed softly, standing up and walking over to where she stood. I knelt in front of her, brushing a few strands of hair from her face. “I know, baby. I know it’s hard to understand. But Mommy and Daddy… we work better as friends. We’re happier that way, and that’s important, don’t you think?”

Emma’s pout deepened. “But… I don’t get it. If you love Daddy and Daddy loves you, why can’t you just be together?”

Her innocent question hit me like a punch in the gut. I glanced at Ethan, who was watching us both closely, waiting for my answer. He wasn’t whining like Emma, but I could see the same question in his eyes. He just wanted things to make sense.

breath. “It’s not just about love, Em. Sometimes, even when two people care about each other, they realize that they’re better

in confusion. “But I’ll like it when you’re married. It

laugh escaped me despite the seriousness of the conversation. “I know, sweetheart. But Mommy and Daddy are still going to be here for you. We’ll always love you and your brother no matter

spoke up, his voice quiet but firm. “But you

heart tightening.

מים

Chapter 69

were smiling. And Daddy was smiling too. That

I felt my

I hadn’t realized they noticed things like that–how long it had been since Alex and I had shared a smile. “Sometimes, people can have good moments together, Ethan. That

monients” Ethan said, his

little face determined. “I want you and Daddy to be together forever! Like

movies!

hugging her tight. “Oh, Em. Life isn’t always like the movies.

it shouldn’t

softly at her, my heart aching in ways I couldn’t describe “We are happy, Em. Just… in different ways. And we’ll always be here for you and Ethan. That’s

sat back down, picking up her stuffed bunny again. I still think you

stared at me, his eyes deep and thoughtful, as if he was trying to understand something far beyond his years. Finally, he nodded. “Okay, Mom. But if you change your mind. we’ll be

I’ll keep that

feel a tug in my chest. The kids had always been smart, far more perceptive

more complicated than I was willing to admit. But for now, I had to stay strong for them and

lit up with Grace’s name, my efficient and always reliable

What’s going

Christiana, she began, her tone unusually hesitant, “I think you need

to last night’s debacle at the

was hit hard, like, really hard. Several major investors have pulled out, and a few

of unease creeping into my chest. “What do you mean? How did

very

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