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

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Chapter 167

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

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window, rubbing my hands over my face. The kids were asleep. Everything was going to plan. But still, there was this gnawing feeling in the pit of

time. They were so small, so innocent. It was hard to believe they belonged to someone

under my breath. That made all the

reason things had gone so wrong, the reason she’d looked

This would make

on the wall, the hands ticking too slow. Christiana would be panicking by now, frantic. She’d come running when I

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

hand slipped away from

would come to me, and I’d finally have the chance

paused, looking down at the kids again. Ethan’s small fingers twitched, and

no matter how

didn’t mean I

An hour later.

up, 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

whispered, shaking his sister beside him. “Wake

a soft groan, curling tighter under the blanket, but Ethan wasn’t having

isn’t home!” he said, his voice growing louder, a mix of panic and

already feeling my pulse quicken.

his wide, teary eyes

mumbled, her voice still thick with sleep as

her hand, his little chest heaving. Emma’s lower lip started trembling as she looked around

she cried,

Daddy!” Ethan shouted, his voice

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Chapter 167

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streaming down their small faces, and the sound was like a siren in the quiet motel. My hands clenched into fists as I tried

It’s okay,” I said, stepping closer. “Your

clung to Ethan, her sobs getting louder. Ethan’s face

my daddy!” he yelled again,

tightened. The very mention of that man

I promise. She’s just running a

shaking his head violently.

each other, their tiny voices echoing off the motel walls. My nerves were

my voice, trying to get their attention. They both froze for 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 so

just a bit, but Ethan wasn’t buying

again, his

part of the plan. I hadn’t accounted for this–the noise,

Then my eyes landed on the juice cartons I’d

needed to calm down.

how about some juice? You must be thirsty after that long

suspiciously.

I said, forcing a smile. “Apple

and I could see the hesitation

feel better. And then, when your mom gets here, you’ll have