Dear ex-Wife please be mine again

Chapter 167

Daniel’s POV

The neon sign for the rundown motel flickered above as I parked the car in the lot. Gravel crunched under the tires, the sound loud in the quiet night. I killed the engine and turned to look at the back seat. Ethan and Emma were still out cold, their small faces slack with the kind of peace only children could have. It wasn’t real peace, though–not with everything going on.

I tapped my fingers on the steering wheel, taking a deep breath. Christiana’s kids. Her precious little ones. The only reason I was going through with this.

This is for you, Christiana,” I muttered, barely loud enough to hear myself.

Pulling the key out of the ignition, I stepped out into the cool night air. It smelled faintly of rain and dirt. Not the worst place I’d been, but far from the luxury those kids were probably used to. Still, it was out of the way. Safe enough for what I needed to do.

I glanced at the receptionist inside the glass office as I approached. She looked half–asleep, her head resting on her hand while her other scrolled lazily on her phone. Good. I didn’t need anyone asking too many questions tonight.

The door creaked as I stepped inside.

“Need a room,” I said, keeping my voice low but firm.

The woman barely looked up, her face blank. “How many nights”

“Just one.” I slid some cash across the counter. “Got two kids with me. They’re asleep in the car. Long drive.”

That got her attention. Her eyes flicked up, curiosity sparking, but she didn’t push. She just gave a slow nod and slid a key across the counter.

“Room six. Down the left.”

“Thanks.” I pocketed the key and turned to leave.

Outside, I opened the back door of the car. Ethan was slumped against his seatbelt, his small chest rising and falling evenly. I reached in and unbuckled him, careful not to jostle him too much. He murmured something in his sleep but didn’t wake, his head falling against my shoulder as I carried him out.

The weight of him felt so small in my arms. Too small.

“This isn’t about you, kid,” I whispered, glancing down at his peaceful face. “You’ll be fine. I promise.”

Walking back toward the motel, I nodded briefly to the receptionist when her gaze lingered on us. “Rough night,” Lsaid, keeping my tone light. “They just need some rest.”

She gave me a tight smile and turned back to her phone.

Inside the room, I set Ethan down gently on the bed. His body sank into the worn mattress, and he curled up clutching the blanket I draped over him.

instinctively,

I went back for Emma next. She was lighter, her little frame bundled up in her jacket. Her hair stuck to her face as I picked her up, and I brushed it back gently with my fingers.

“You’re tougher than you look, huh?” I murmured, carrying her into the room.

She let out a soft sigh as I placed her next to Ethan, her hand automatically reaching out until it found his. Even asleep, they

1/5

13:49 Mon, Dec 16 G

Chapter 167

were connected. It was a small gesture, but it made my chest tighten for a moment.

\ 64 . 70%=

+5

my hands over my face. The kids were asleep. Everything was going to plan. But still, there was

small, so

my breath.

deserve them. He didn’t deserve her. He was the reason things had gone so wrong, the reason she’d looked at me like

would

wall, the hands ticking too slow. Christiana would be panicking by now, frantic.

to myself, leaning back in the chair. “Soon, you’ll

room. Emma’s hand slipped away from Ethan’s, and

were already in motion. Christiana would come to me, and I’d finally have the chance to show

the kids again. Ethan’s small fingers twitched,

kids. And no matter how

that didn’t mean I

An hour later.

groggy and confused. I watched as his eyelids fluttered open, those innocent brown eyes blinking up at the ceiling before darting around the room. It didn’t take long for confusion to settle in, his small body stiffening as he

whispered, shaking his sister beside him.

the blanket, but Ethan wasn’t having it. He sat up,

voice growing louder,

up from the chair in the corner, already feeling my pulse quicken. “Hey, buddy,” I said,

and his wide, teary

Emma mumbled, her voice still thick with sleep as she

chest heaving. Emma’s lower lip started trembling as she looked around

want Mommy!” she cried, her

Daddy!” Ethan shouted, his voice rising

13:49 Mon, Dec 16

Chapter 167

D

bA 7 70%▪

were both crying now, tears streaming down their small faces, and the sound was like a siren in the quiet motel. My

I said, stepping closer. “Your mom’s coming, okay?

her sobs getting louder. Ethan’s face was

want my daddy!” he yelled again, his voice breaking

very mention of

just running a little late, but she’ll be

his head

and the two of them clung to each other, their tiny voices echoing off the motel walls. My nerves

a second, their tear–streaked faces staring at me. “If you keep crying, your mom might not find us, okay? We need to stay calm

Ethan wasn’t buying it. His glare was

said again,

ran a hand down my face, pacing the room. This wasn’t part of the plan. I hadn’t accounted for this–the noise,

think. Then my eyes landed on the juice cartons I’d

needed to

and held them up. “Look, how about some juice?

narrowed suspiciously.

a smile. “Apple juice. You like apple

could see the hesitation on his face. Smart kid.

make you feel better. And then, when your mom gets