Who's Crying Now, Ex-Husband?

Chapter 453

He stopped mid-step, then suddenly dashed forward and grabbed Leonard's hand. Looking up, his eyes sparkled with hope. "Leonard, you'll stay with me forever too, right?"

Just like you're always with Mom and Dad.

Leonard froze, caught off guard.

For a moment, seeing the child's trusting, adoring gaze, that face-usually as cold and unmoving as winter ice-softened. The corners of his lips lifted in a fleeting smile so subtle that when Adrian blinked, it was already gone, like he'd imagined it. But he did hear Leonard's voice, surprisingly gentle.

"I'll always be here."

"But even if I'm not, young master, you don't need to worry. There's someone out there waiting for you in the future, someone who'll stay by your side forever- longer than your parents, longer than me."

That was the Montgomery family's way.

Leonard, though, belonged to the master and madam.

"Your mother's here. Go on now."

At the end of the hallway, Mila appeared, turning the corner with easy grace. Her dark hair was pinned up with a simple comb, and her pale, flowing dress seemed to catch the moonlight, wrapping her in a gentle, silvery glow. Seeing her approach, Leonard stopped beneath the eaves.

"Mom!"

Adrian's question vanished in an instant. He raced over, flinging himself into Mila's arms. She caught him easily, taking the rumpled school jacket from his hand without a word, then gave Leonard a polite nod before leading Adrian away.

A warm spring breeze drifted through the corridor, carrying Mila's soft voice to Leonard. "What did your grandfather say? Did he scold you?"

"He just told me not to get into fights..."

you should listen to

so nice. Did you make something good for me?" Adrian's voice was full

did. I made

all right? He's getting old. Don't do things that upset

"Got it."

"Oh, and Leonard hasn't eaten either. I'll bring him

bright curve of the moon, feeling, for once, that spring was truly warm and beautiful. His phone vibrated in his pocket, and he fished it out, answering after it rang several

"Sir."

master were

"I understand."

evening passed quietly. After dinner, Mila coaxed Adrian to take his medicine, then sat beside him at the desk as he worked

that he needed

been a cause for

her own projects-just keeping him company as

stay home and rest for a week, giving him a break from schoolwork, too. She was surprised when he refused-he didn't skipping classes, but insisted on

well-behaved it was almost

how much Adrian had changed. Once upon a time, even though his grades were good, he'd hated homework-always wanting to play games or watch cartoons instead. Any attempt to get him to study used

She never imagined there'd come a day

just one

it was Adrian's great-grandfather who worked the real magic. Mila knew she could never have managed it herself—Adrian had never been

on a commission from a high-profile British client who

met the client yet, but rumor had it the wedding was for a British prince, and

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Holdings and Splendid's executive meetings home and abroad-not that she enjoyed it, but she

Mila never gave up her

her creations had even