LEAH’S POVI was currently at work, just finished a meeting with our company’s higher ups which dragged on longer than expected. During the meeting, I was feeling somehow restless and distracted. I couldn’t shake the bad feeling in my gut. Something doesn’t feel right. So, as soon as the meeting ended, I rushed back to my office, my instinct telling me to check my phone.And when I finally had my phone in my hands, my heart skipped a beat seeing the three missed calls, all from Calvin.I frowned, this time, I was the one to try to call him. But then, no one answered. I tried again, and again. As the call went unanswered each time, the growing dread clawed at my insides. I bought a tablet for my babies, they share it sometimes, but most of the time, it was Calvin who uses it. And every time I call, he always picks up. Always.Cold sweat broke out on my forehead as I held my phone tremblingly in my hands. I didn’t bother to waste another second as I grabbed my bag and dashed out of my o
LEAH’S POVFor a moment, I couldn’t believe my eyes. It has been two months since I last saw them, and I never expected our paths to cross again. In fact, I hadn’t even allowed myself to think about it. I had already convinced myself that they had completely forgotten that someone like me existed.But now, they were here. They were oozing such commanding presence in a way that made it hard for me to breathe.They continued watching me together with the kids, their eyes never leaving our form. And that made my heart beat wildly.The shock and fear were still there, but I knew that I had to do something right now. They helped my babies and I know I should settle things and at least thank them.“Stay here with your sister, okay?” I instructed Calvin and Clyde with a soft yet firm voice, quickly glancing back towards Hudson and Brixton.“I need to talk to these gentlemen outside for a moment.”My little boys nodded in understanding. I ruffled their hair, taking one more look at Bella who
LEAH’S POV“Uncle!” Clyde exclaims as soon as he saw the person who entered the room.My eyes wandered towards Hudson, feeling my heart pounding loudly as our gazes met for a moment. I was filled with question. Why is he here again?I felt as if the air had left my lungs when I saw how he looked at my boys with such gentleness… which I never expected from him. The more I thought about it, the more my heart raced.I also noticed how Calvin and Clyde’s faces lit up as soon as they saw Hudson coming back inside the room, and it left me feeling even more complicated.But I knew I had to do something, as to not give away something very obvious. I cleared my throat, facing my two little boys as I instructed them gently.“Go thank him, darlings.”They obediently nodded at me before trotting towards Hudson who was standing a few feet away from us. They stopped in front of him, their height only reaching to the middle of his thighs as they raised their heads to look up at him.Something seemed
LEAH’S POVI realized they were already piercing things together… things I wasn’t ready for them to know. At least not now.“Boys,” I began softly, calling their attention as I tried to change the topic. “I want to know what exactly happened before Bella got sick. Can you tell me?”This time, their attention finally shifted after hearing my question. They started explaining everything with their innocent and sweet voice as they recounted the events that happened earlier this morning. Each word made my heart ache painfully, the worry and guilt came crashing back to me as I listened to their explanation.“Next time, you can’t go with strangers, okay?” I gently reminded them as soon as they finished explaining everything up to when Hudson and Brixton came to help them.“Not all people are like those… uncles you’ve met earlier.” I pressed my lips in anxiousness. “There are bad people out there who might take advantage of little kids like you.”“Yes, mom.” They both nodded and replied in u
LEAH’S POV“Mommy, who was the uncle just now?” Bella asked as she gazed up at me, curiosity was evident in her eyes.I stilled, but only for a second. She was asking about Brixton, but just as I was about to answer, Clyde, who was also standing beside the bed near their sister, beat me to it.“That’s Uncle Brixton, sister! He’s one of the uncles who helped us bring you to the hospital.” His voice was proud as he continued explaining along with Calvin beside him.Bella nodded slowly as she listened, taking in the information her brothers were telling her. I stood there, watching them talk until I saw how my baby girl’s face turned guilty.She turned her head and looked up at me, “I’m sorry, mommy… I didn’t mean to make you and my brothers worry.”My heart clenched, hearing the pitiful tone in her words. I sat beside her on the bed before leaning in to kiss her forehead.“You don’t have to say sorry, sweetheart. It’s not your fault, okay? No one’s at fault here.” I spoke to her gently,
LEAH’S POV“Uncle… you and I have the same eyes!”Bella’s innocent voice echoed throughout the room, but her words were like bolts of lightning striking me. Then I saw how Calvin and Clyde also turned to look at Brixton, their expression mirroring Bella’s curiosity.As for me, my heart sank. For a moment, I felt like the world has stopped spinning. The air seemed to left my lungs as I find it hard to breathe. Bella’s question hung in the air, and silence enveloped the whole room for a few seconds. It was suffocating…I didn’t expect her to say those words aloud. They had noticed – noticed what I’ve been terrified for them to know. And just when I thought things couldn’t get any more complicated, Brixton’s gaze snapped towards me, his eyes were now filled with a dark intensity, filled with meaning I couldn’t decipher.But it made my heart pound nervously.“Because…” He broke away from our gaze and turned to face the kids, staring straight at Bella as he trailed off. “Because it’s meant
LEAH’S POVWhen I heard that familiar voice, and as I turn to see the man wearing a white coat whom I just bumped into, my eyes slightly widened seeing his familiar face.“Felix?” I let out a low gasp, shock evident in my voice. He was a friend, and we hadn’t seen each other for a year now.He also looked shocked upon seeing me, but then he smiled warmly, his eyes lighting up in recognition.“Leah, it’s been a while. How have you been?” He smiled gently at me, adjusting the glasses he was wearing.“I should be asking you that.” I smiled back at him, still reeling from the surprise. “When did you get back? Marina hasn’t mentioned to me you’ve came back already.”Felix was Marina’s nephew. The first time I met him was from five years ago, during one of the hardest times of my life. I was still pregnant during that time and had to fend off for myself and my unborn children, and I was desperately searching for a job. After a long day of applying at different companies, I was exhausted and
LEAH’S POVSince Clyde had already saw him, I couldn’t just let Felix stand outside and had no choice but to let him in. As he entered the room, the kids’ faces lit up when they finally saw him.“Uncle Felix! You’re back!”Seeing the kids’ enthusiasm, Felix also greeted them warmly. I stood on the side, unsure of what to do. I took a quick glance towards Hudson and Brixton who were now sitting on the couch. They were also looking towards Felix and his interaction with the kids.Suddenly, Hudson’s eyes met mind. His gaze was sharp, and I felt out of breath. Why is he even looking at me like that… as if I committed a crime? I shook my head, trying to erase these kind of thoughts before I finally joined in the conversation between the kids and Felix.But then, Clyde ran back towards where Hudson and Brixton was as he introduced Felix to both Hudson and Brixton.“Uncle Felix, these are Uncle Hudson and Uncle Brixton. They were the one who helped us get Bella here in the hospital.”I wante