Chapter 7

There was no warmth in the man’s narrowed eyes. His lips curled into a ridiculing arc and said, “What do you think?” Mona smiled gently. “I couldn’t have possibly guessed your thoughts, Mr. Thaddeus Fontaine.” She had no idea what drove her to ask the question. Maybe she was afraid that he would delay the divorce and the alimony, and kept her as his free sex toy. The man coldly glanced at Mona. His eyes were as deep as the abyss. He left without answering her question. Mona sighed a breath of relief. It seemed like she was overthinking. She was not the only one who wanted to end this relationship. Thaddeus got into the elevator. When it reached the first floor, he bumped into a girl. The girl, Millie, immediately hid behind her brother and popped her head over his shoulder, staring at the man with a horrified gaze. Bobby stood in front of Millie and looked up at the man boldly. “I’m sorry that my sister bumped into you, Mister.” Thaddeus smiled at them. “Where are your parents?” With her fingers anxiously poking together, Millie said, “We are here to look for Mom—” Bobby immediately covered her mouth before she could finish. He corrected her, “It’s sister. Hey, Mister, did you happen to see a beautiful young lady somewhere around here?” Thaddeus squatted down to their eye level. “Tell me, what does your sister look like?” “Long hair, big eyes, red lips, and talks like an angel. She’s the most beautiful sister,” Millie said meekly. Thaddeus could not help but smile gently at the twins. “What’s her name? I’ll send someone to look for her.” “It’s okay, Mister. We can find her on our own. Thank you.” Bobby cautiously pulled Millie behind his back. His mother had told him not to reveal personal information to strangers, even if the stranger, like this man before them, looked nothing like a bad person. Thaddeus stood there for a while, watching the brother and sister wait patiently in front of the elevator. For some reason, they gave him mixed feelings with a hint of pity in them. A while later, a middle-aged woman came over in a hurry, looking nervous. When she saw the twins, she ran over and hugged them. Thaddeus continued watching to make sure the kids knew the woman. He left once he got his confirmation. Back at the ward, Mona was going to call her kids when she heard an adorable voice speaking outside her door. “Madam, may I know where Mona Ortega’s ward is?” Mona recognized Millie’s voice. She strode out of the ward and waved at her babies. “Bobby, Millie, over here!” “Mommy!” Bobby and Millie rushed over to their mother, holding hands. They jumped into her arms and nuzzled their fluffy heads against her chest. Mona’s heart instantly warmed. “I thought I told you guys to wait for me back home. What brings you here?” “Mommy, are you sick? Millie and I are worried about you,” Millie looked up at his mother with glistening eyes. Mona kissed the girl on her eyelids. “I’m okay. I sprained my ankle, but I’m all good now.” Bobby looked at her ankle. It was still swollen. The boy furrowed his brows and said, “Mommy, you shouldn’t be wearing heels. You’ll trip easily.” Mona explained patiently, “But my job required me to wear heels.” Bobby sighed exasperatedly, “If only we had a reliable man at home.” Millie echoed, “Yeah. If we have a daddy, mommy wouldn’t have to work so hard to earn money.” “Yeah. We must find ourselves a daddy.” Bobby then hooked his pinky with Mona and said, “Mommy, why don’t you consider Flora’s daddy?” Mona was rendered speechless by her kid’s eagerness to find her a partner. They were restless when it came to matching her with Flora’s father. “How about we have dinner with Flora and her father tomorrow?” Bobby’s eyes glistened. “Great! I’ll tell Flora!” Mona smiled helplessly. She might have to disappoint her kids this time. Flora’s father gave her a valuable present and even indirectly proposed to her. Out of respect for the man and her kids, she should tell him in person that she was not ready for another marriage. The next day, Mona and Flora’s father, Peter, brought the kids to a nearby mall to spend the day. The adults were having a chat in the restaurant while the kids were having fun in the children’s playground. “Mr. Cunningham, I can’t accept your gift. It’s simply too much. I think you should give it to someone more suitable.” Peter was a gentleman, and he knew when to step away. “I’m sorry. That was rude of me. I just assumed that since our kids get along well and we both share the same experience, maybe we could give it a shot.” Mona smiled shyly. “The kids really do get along well, but that doesn’t mean we will. I’m sorry. To be honest, I’m the one who is not suitable for a relationship right now.” She got married to a man a few years ago because of money. Now that she would soon regain her freedom, why not try to raise her children as a single parent? Peter smiled and praised her. “You are a straightforward and a unique person.” Since they were able to put the matter to rest, they both smiled politely at each other and continued to have dinner in a rather delightful mood. Opposite the restaurant was the children’s playground. Both Bobby and Flora sat on the little castle as they watched the date from afar. “Bobby, your mommy just gave my daddy his ring back.” Bobby sighed. “Sigh. I’m worried. If this continues, my mommy will be single forever.” He then turned to his other side, only to realize that Millie was gone. The girl was standing in front of a candy vending machine, and her eyes were glued to all the colorful candies in it. She gulped and muttered, “Wow. There are so many candies. How do I take them out?” “Little girl, do you want some candy?” A pleasant and deep voice sounded above her head. Millie turned to see two slender legs in front of her. She looked up and got a clear look at the man’s face. It was the handsome mister she had ran into at the hospital.