Her Return, His Regret by Natie

Lora's eyes widened, taken aback by Jason's bold words. How could he say that so easily in front of the kids?

Sure enough, Ella looked between Lora and Jason before asking, "Is it true Mommy? Will we really have a stepfather? But I don't want a stepfather! I want my real father!"

Ryan clenched his jaw, seeing his daughter cry made his heartbreak. He picked her up from her seat and placed her on his lap before soothingly saying, "You're not going to have a stepfather... I'm your one and only father."

He glared at Jason and questioned, "What is wrong with you? How can you say that in front of the kids?"

"I'm just saying the inevitable... after all, Lora and I will get married in the future-"

"Jay, a word?" Lora said in a low voice.

Jason saw that Lora was angry. He smiled at her and replied, "Sure."

When they left the restaurant, Lora looked at Jason, anger flitting through her eyes. "How could you say that in front of the kids without discussing it with me first?"

"I don't think there's anything bad with what I said... we are a couple and we will get married soon. And that would make me the twins' stepfather... why are you so angry, were you just dating me casually with no thoughts of marriage in mind?" Jason's jaw was clenched, his stomach knotting with nerves at the thought of losing Lora. When he received another report about the 'family' outing, he couldn't just sit back and watch Lora slowly go back into Ryan's arms. Thus, he followed them to the restaurant and pretended to bump into them coincidentally.

Lora's heart twisted with guilt when she saw Jason's hurt expression. She did give Jason a chance but she couldn't give him her heart.

"Jay, I-"

cutting Lora off. He questioned, "Are you really over him? Am I just someone who was there to fill the void? I have been calling you since yesterday... is he the reason you decided not to pick up my

you getting back together with him? Is that why you're

Jason had been a good friend to her... he was

had buried a long time ago. He managed to crack the icy walls that she had built around her heart, melting the defences she had put up to protect herself from falling in love

Jason. Ryan just wanted to spend time with the kids and

through his hair before he asked, "So, are you going to

"You deserve someone who won't treat you like a second option. I've loved only you, Lora... no one else," Jason remarked desperately. "I heard about your story... how Ryan chose

reminder of the past. "I've already explained why I'm having breakfast with

of giving me half of you... I suggest we go on a break but I want you to think about who's really genuine... a man who chose another woman instead of you or a man who has always been there for you and put you first,"

of any words, her heart pounding rapidly in her

the other hand, inside the restaurant, Ella looked up at Ryan, and said, "Daddy, I

way Jason came in like Lora belonged to him or something... It made his

for anyone; she was his strength, his heart and his soul and he was determined to fight for her until she became

Ella and remarked, "Finish your food, Ella.

are fighting. Mommy is so angry... do you know what that means?" Ella asked, her eyes