Dark Revenge Of An Unwanted Wife: The Twins Are Not Yours! - Chapter 241

Chapter 241: Long Night V
Forgive him?

Athena snorted softly, humor flickering in her eyes. Like she could genuinely hold a grudge against Antonio. After all, this was the first time in a long while that he had gotten her this annoyed.

“All right, Antonio. Just promise me you won’t do this again, that you won’t misguide my children…”

“I promise.” Antonio said without hesitation, dropping a kiss on her forehead. “So, we cool?”

Athena chuckled, her anger easing off completely as warmth spread through her at the gesture. “Yeah, we cool. Let’s head in. I’m starving.”

The promise of food redirected her thoughts to her children’s conversation with Ewan. How was that even going?

Well, it wasn’t going exactly well; it wasn’t even going.

Left in a single room with the twins, Ewan still didn’t know the words to say.

After Athena and Antonio had left the room, Old Mr. Thorne, unable to bear the silence any longer, had taken over the situation. Without much ado, he had spoken up and led Ewan and the kids into one of the numerous visitors’ rooms, then took the other adults to the larger dining room, where supper was being served.

Now, Ewan and his children were left staring at each other, an atmosphere thick with uncertainty hanging between them.

Just then, Ewan’s phone rang, its shrill tone slicing through the awkward atmosphere.

“Excuse me…” He muttered to the children, who said nothing but shared furtive glances, their eyes exchanging unspoken concerns about this peculiar meeting.

“Sandro, is there a problem?” Ewan whispered, choosing his words carefully as he felt a flutter of anxiety flit in his chest.

Kathleen couldn’t help but stifle a small giggle, finding amusement in the hushed nature of her father’s conversation. Why was he whispering?

“Not at all. I’m just checking in. I hope you have started speaking with them?” Sandro inquired from the other end.

Ewan removed the phone from his ear for a quick moment to furrow his brows in confusion. How had Sandro become so adept at reading between the lines?

“Hello… hello…” Ewan heard distinctly, and he quickly pressed the phone back to his ear. “Not yet.”

“Thought as much…” Sandro muttered knowingly. “If you don’t know what to start with, you can begin with their academics. Ask about their best subjects and all…” There was a brief pause before Sandro continued, “I’m sure more topics will spring up from there.”

“Thank you, Sandro, for the tip,” Ewan replied, grateful for the insight.

“And Ewan, relax. They are your children, never mind what the legal documents say. Relax and talk with them.”

Ewan nodded, a sense of determination stirring within him as he ended the call. The last thread of uncertainty still tugged at his heart, but he steeled himself. It was time to bridge that gap.

“Why was Mr. Sandro calling? Is there any problem?” Nathaniel asked, reclining deeper into the sofa he shared with Kathleen, his face a blank slate.

Ewan shook his head faster than usual, the gesture punctuating his desire to remain calm. He cursed himself silently the next moment, feeling a rush of self-reproach.

Wasn’t he a strong man? He had conquered gangs, faced rivals in the business world, and held conversations with world leaders. Yet here he was, feeling nervous in front of six-year-olds, in front of his own children.

He wetted his lips, gazing lovingly at the twins, whose physical qualities still astonished him. They were so much like him, reminders of a legacy he had yet to claim. They had come from his loins! That was something to be proud of, wasn’t it?

“Mr. Ewan…” Kathleen’s soft voice broke through his thoughts, bringing him back to the moment.

He smiled at her, wishing he could envelop her in a warm hug, wondering if that would be a possible feat in the current atmosphere.

“Not at all. Sandro was just checking in, wanting to know how it’s going over here… you know the talks and all.”

“I like Mr. Sandro,” Kathleen muttered, her hands still clutching the painting materials tightly, her head bowing shyly.

Ewan smiled, warmth blooming in his chest. “I like him too.”

“Is he your best friend? What about Uncle Zane?” Nathaniel asked, tilting his head.

Ewan pursed his lips at Nathaniel’s question. Best friend?

While growing up, Fiona had earned that title by being the closest person to him until he met Zane during one of the council meetings. Their shared values had forged a deep bond and they had become best friends, with Zane even getting along with Fiona. But Sandro had been a different case altogether.

Meeting at college, the latter hadn’t met Zane and Fiona until later. Even then, Sandro had gotten along with both, seeing as the duo were the only friends he had then, until a couple of years back when Sandro had suddenly hated Fiona.

It took the recent turn of events to understand why. Best friend? Yes, Sandro could foot that bill. He has been a good friend, and a good employee at the same time.

“Yeah, he is. Zane is too.”

Nathaniel frowned. “You can’t have more than one best friend.”

Ewan shrugged, maintaining a genuine smile—not patronizing or condescending, but sincere. “Well, who said that? Who made that rule? The dictionary? Or the world? You shouldn’t worry about that. You can have as many best friends as you wish, because as you see, there are a quite a few people you will meet while growing up, special people who will match your intensity or complement it; people who will meet you halfway, or even more than; people who can take a bullet for you, and encourage you in difficult times; people who will take up special spots in your heart, so much so that referring to them as just friends wouldn’t seem alright. And those people can be more than one. For me, I have Zane and Sandro. They have been faithful over the couple of years.”

Nathaniel nodded slowly as if absorbing a sage advice. “I understand. Was Fiona a best friend?”

Ewan hadn’t expected that question. Clearing his throat after a tense silence, he felt the intensity of the twins’ gaze, and he knew he couldn’t avoid the answer.

“She was, at one point. But we can see how that had wrecked a lot of lives, especially mine. It’s still one of my worst regrets. You should learn from my mistakes—be extra careful while picking friends. Be sensitive, even after you’ve chosen them. Sometimes…” He paused, ensuring the weight of his words sank in. “People change.”

“So, are you a changed man now?” Nathaniel pressed further while Kathleen listened closely, her curiosity piqued.

“Yes, I am,” Ewan responded without hesitation, his resolve solidifying. He clasped his hands together, feeling a wave of responsibility wash over him as he searched their eager faces.

Nathaniel and Kathleen exchanged another glance, a knowing glance.

“So, Mr. Ewan, what’s your plan then, for my mother? What’s your plan for us?”