Filed to story: A Second Chance with My Billionaire Love
“We didn’t say much.” Halston put both hands in his pockets and watched Flossie, who was keeping some distance from them. He sighed, then whispered, “Your mommy wants to find a new daddy for you and your sister.”
“What?” Adie’s eyes grew wide in disbelief. “Is Mommy out of her mind? We have a daddy, so why does she want to find us a new one? If that happens, who will you be to us, Daddy?”
“I don’t know!” Halston shrugged helplessly. “I don’t want her to do that, but if she insists, I won’t stop her either.” He knew that he could not give her a future, so she had every right to choose a future without him in it. It would be selfish of him to give her hope if he couldn’t make her happy.
What? You won’t stop her?” Adle groaned. “Daddy, are you okay? Now I know why Mommy is sad. Your words broke her heart! I wouldn’t be able to take it either!”
What do you mean?”
“See. We all love you very much, but when she said she wants to find us a new daddy, it also means that she’s going to find a new husband for herself. I don’t care if she meant it or it was just a lie, you should have immediately protested!” Adie put both hands on his waist like an adult as he scolded Halston. ‘She was already upset with you and obviously wanted to know if you cared about her, but you didn’t care about her at all. No woman would tolerate their beloved man ignoring them like that.”
“Hmph, you understand so much about love though you’re just a boy. Be honest with me-is there a girl in the kindergarten you like?” Halston raised an eyebrow, sounding stern as he smoothly changed the topic. He knew what Flossie was thinking, so he had to pretend to be cruel to make her give up on him. Then, she could lead a new life without him. If he gave her hope, both of them would not forget about their romance, and it would be more painful for them.
“Daddy, I’m talking about Mommy. Why are you changing the subject?” Adie blushed and pouted. “I’m a boy. I don’t like any girl except Abby.”
Abby was right beside them. She knew the truth but didn’t expose Adie’s lie. “Adie, I wonder if you can say that in front of Tiffany.”
“Tiffany?” Halston asked curiously. “Who is that?”
“Tiffany is…” Abby blinked innocently. She was about to introduce Adie’s most beloved girl to Halston when Adie immediately covered her mouth.
“Abby, watch your tongue. It’s a secret, so keep it between us!” Adie ordered Abby.
“But it’s Daddy… I think it’s a nice thing that you like Tiffany, so shouldn’t we share our happy events with our parents?” Abby felt that telling Halston about Tiffany wasn’t a bad thing, and couldn’t understand Adie’s exaggerated reaction.
“He’s no longer our loved one.” Adie pouted and glared at Halston furiously. “He said terrible things to Mommy in the cave just now and broke Mommy’s heart… Abby, do you still remember the promise we made?”
“Yes!” Abby nodded, then said solemnly, “If Daddy makes Mommy mad, we’ll support Mommy no matter how close Daddy is to us.” They had made such a rule because they felt that Halston and Flossie’s relationship was never certain, and they never knew whose side to take. Sometimes Abby would take Halston’s side while Adie took Flossie’s side, and the siblings would end up arguing when that happened. After discussing it, they had come up with that golden rule-if their parents fought, they would automatically assume that Flossie was right and take her side.
“It’s good you still remember. That means we can’t be close to Daddy now, and we have to take Mommy’s side.’ Adie clenched his fists firmly.
Yes, we have to take Mommy’s side.” Abby nodded firmly and put some distance between her and Halston. “I’m sorry, Daddy. I can’t be close to you until Mommy stops being mad at you. If that doesn’t happen, I’ll have to ignore you forever.
“That’s right! Mommy said she wants to get us a new daddy, and I’m sure she can find an awesome one for us. I’ll support her!” Adie declared as he grabbed Abby’s hand, and they both ran off after Flossie.
Halston watched them, sighing miserably. In the end, his family had left him… but he didn’t regret what he did. He had made his choice after much deliberation.
At night, the teachers made a campfire on the beach, and the children and their parents gathered around it. It was a warm and lively environment.
“Children and parents, after today’s fierce competition, we’re glad to announce that the family who found the treasure is… Adie and Abby’s family! They were the first to find the family bracelets, and they also gathered the most ingredients. Let’s welcome Abby, Adie, and their parents.”
After a round of applause, Adie, Abby, Halston, and Flossie walked to the center of the crowd. Flossie was being courteous to Halston temporarily for the sake of the two children. Her smile was frozen to her face as she walked beside him.
Well, the teachers have promised to help the kids fulfill a wish if they found the treasure, so What’s your wish, children? The teacher asked Adie and Abby excitedly.
“Miss, let us think about it for a while!” Adie said to the teacher, then leaned close to Abby’s ear and started whispering to her.
Both Flossie and Halston stood nearby awkwardly, unable to do anything during their children’s serious discussion. Thanks to their status and identities, the parents around them immediately started gossiping about them.
Wow, they’re the legendary Master Guajardo and Ms. Ellsworth. What a perfect couple!”
Their marriage is practically a gift from heaven. They even have a pair of twins! What a perfect life…
“How lucky that our child can study with the children of such a prestigious family!”
“I knew that the parents of the children studying in Monte Perry Kindergarten were extraordinary, but I didn’t expect this at all!”
Flossie’s awkwardness grew as she listened to the excited whispers around her. She stared at the ground, wishing it would open up and swallow her. She had been through a lot, but this was a first for her. In the past, she could have made a scene and left, but this was her children’s graduation trip, so she had to suffer through this for the sake of her children. Her cheeks twitched from suppressing her laughter. She felt like a hostage to her own children- as long as they were around, she had to behave herself.
Halston, on the other hand, was a lot calmer than Flossie. He was enjoying this rare harmonious moment with his family, uncaring if it was forced or real. “We’re very happy to be here spending time with our children on this trip…” Halston smiled at the people around him, his tone wistful as he said, “Regardless of which elementary school our children go to, I hope all of us will always remember this wonderful trip. These precious little moments will become memories that will live forever in our hearts, and will always make us smile when we remember them!”
The parents were moved by his words, and admired the charming man before them.
“I think we should all take a picture together to commemorate this occasion,” Halston said eagerly as he took his phone out.
“Yeah, that’s a great idea. Let’s take a photo!”
Wow, it’s an honor to take photos with people like Mr. Guajardo and Ms. Ellsworth!
Everyone followed Halston’s instructions and posed for the photos.
“We’ll join in too!” Halston handed his phone to a teacher before he smoothly snaked one arm around Flossie’s waist and hugged Adie and Abby to him with the other. He smiled brightly at the phone screen. This was the first photo Halston was taking with his family, so it meant a lot to him.
After the photography session, Adie cleared his throat to get everyone’s attention. ‘Miss, ladies, and gentlemen…We’ve come up with a wish!”
Everyone turned to Adie, and Flossie asked him suspiciously, “What kind of wish?” She had a feeling that Adie was about to trap her.
“I want Daddy and Mommy to hug each other for ten minutes!” Adie blurted out.
Yeah, we hope Daddy and Mommy can hug each other for ten minutes,” Abby echoed excitedly as she jumped up and down.
“Huh? What a weird wish!”
“I heard that Mr. Guajardo and Ms. Ellsworth divorced each other. I guess they’re forced to be together for the kids…”
The children probably want them to get back together. It’s sweet, but… also quite pitiful.” Everyone started gossiping, curious about the relationship between Halston and Flossie and sympathetic towards Adie and Abby.
Flossie’s jaw dropped, and she quickly squatted down and held Adie, whispering indignantly, What are you two up to? You can’t trick me like this!”
“Mommy, we’re not trying to trick you…” Adie whispered back, his gaze sincere. “I heard stories where people stopped fighting after hugging each other, so you both should hug too. Although Daddy is unreliable sometimes, he’s generally a very good man. Abby and I won’t be worried if he’s your husband.”
Abby innocently chimed in, “Mommy, don’t you want to hug Daddy?”
Flossie looked at Abby, delighted at the opportunity her daughter had offered her. She nodded vigorously and said, “Well… my arms are aching, so if I hug him, my arms will hurt. Why don’t you and Adie ask for something else?”
“Let me think about it… Abby rubbed her chin and frowned as she thought about it, then her eyes lit up. “Okay then, Mommy, if you can’t hug Daddy, you can just kiss him instead! You don’t need your arms for that, and the both of you will be closer after.”
Flossie was speechless, inwardly groaning at her daughter’s alternative.
“I’m fine with it.” Halston raised his hands and looked at Flossie. “The kids’ wish is for us to hug each other, so why don’t we grant their wish?” He barely had time to enjoy holding her in the cave earlier, so this was practically a gift from the heavens.
“Are you trying to be as insensible as the kids? Flossie snapped at Halston crossly. They had done more intimate things than hugging in the past, but Flossie couldn’t get over Halston’s indifference. She hated that side of him very much.
“Insensible? I think they’re being very sensible, and we shouldn’t disappoint them.” Halston spread his hands. “Come on.”
“How dare you!” Flossie felt like she was being put on the spot. If she refused to hug Halston, her two children would be heartbroken, so… Gritting her teeth, she threw herself into Halston’s arms. Halston’s warm embrace was just as she remembered it, and she instinctively melted into his arms.
The people around them felt confused watching them hug.
“Why are they hugging each other so intimately? They look so lovey-dovey.”
“Although they’re divorced, they look more in love with each other than my husband and I…”
“Ah, I really don’t understand rich people. Isn’t it tiring to keep breaking up and getting back together?”