Chapter 4

"Mommy!"

The children competed to throw themselves into my arms, giggling nonstop.

In that bell-like laughter, the expression on Alexander's face froze abruptly.

"Scarlett, these two children are..."

He stared wide-eyed at the children's faces, as if trying to find something about them that didn't resemble me.

"Did you adopt them from somewhere?"

The children didn't like hearing that.

My son puffed out his chest:

"You're the adopted one! Your whole family is adopted!"

My daughter pouted and hugged my neck tight:

"Mommy, who is he?"

Children speak without thinking.

The color gradually drained from Alexander's face. Even his lips trembled.

"You... got married and had children?"

I smiled and confirmed it, smoothing back my daughter's disheveled hair:

"Yes, twins. The twin gene my mother passed down to me."

"The children's father is..."

"None of your business."

I was brief and to the point, then pulled over the two children clinging to me:

"He's someone Mommy... used to know."

"Hello!"

Though reluctant, the children still obediently and sweetly greeted Alexander.

Alexander instinctively reached for something on himself, probably wanting to find some kind of greeting gift.

But he discovered his perfectly tailored suit didn't even have pockets.

Not knowing how to interact with children, he could only stare blankly as the children surrounded me, competing for attention.

"Mommy, I learned to fold my blanket by myself today! The teacher praised me!"

"I helped the teacher erase the blackboard! I'm better than my sister!"

"Mommy, what are we eating tonight?"

"Roast chicken! Daddy promised to take us for roast chicken!"

I good-naturedly agreed to each request, the fine lines at the corners of my eyes and brows smoothing out with their laughter.

Alexander lowered his eyes. His long lashes cast shadows, as if this domestic bliss hurt his eyes.

"Scarlett," he took a deep breath, "you used to have nervous breakdowns and hated noise."

"Remember? To keep you comfortable, I once promised you we'd never have children in our home."

The children were competing to stuff leftover candy from their lunch into my mouth.

My cheeks bulging, I looked up blankly and thought for a moment.

"Did that happen? I don't really remember."

"My husband and I both love kids. If I didn't think giving birth was too hard, he'd want a third child."

As I spoke, I happily kissed each child on the face.

Alexander's body swayed slightly. He seemed about to say something, but was interrupted by his phone ringing.

His phone was a foldable model, quite large.

With a quick glance, I saw the caller ID.

[Baby Wife]

On the phone, Rose's urgent voice came through, seemingly complaining about something.

Alexander's brow furrowed slightly, his tone showing some impatience:

"I know, I know, I'll come back now. You're a grown woman, how can you not handle even this..."

He said he was going home, but his feet didn't move.

I was the one who smiled and urged him:

"Mr. Alexander, it looks like rain soon. Better head home quickly."

"Remember to replace the brake pads on that sports car as soon as possible."

Alexander gave a short hum, looked at me deeply once more, and finally strode quickly to his car.

I breathed a sigh of relief and was about to send the children to the back room to play with blocks.

But I discovered that Alexander had still quietly left that secondary card on the counter.

I scratched my head in distress.

No choice. I had to run to the police station after work that day with the card.

"A customer named Alexander left his card at my shop. Can you help return it? After all, I don't have his contact information."