Ignoring a single bark from the puppy, he moved to the bed and gently kissed Evelyn's forehead.

The little girl stirred in her sleep, cuddling a pillow, her tiny, plump figure adorably curled up.

Leonel watched her with tender eyes, believing he could do this forever.

He mused if Waylen had felt similarly about his own children.

If he and Alexis were to have another child, Leonel found himself hoping for a boy-resilient and enduring, unlike Evelyn, who required constant nurturing.

After a shower in the guest room, Leonel returned to find Alexis still in the bathroom, clearly stalling.

Settling into bed, he cradled Evelyn with one arm while managing his affairs on his phone with the other.

The lighting in the room was softened to a warm yellow hue, creating a tender atmosphere.

Half an hour later, Alexis emerged, wearing a modest two-piece pajama set, clearly an attempt to temper any desires.

Leonel put away his phone, eyeing her attire.

He teased, almost provocatively, “Rest assured, I won't touch you now.

We can't conceive at the moment, and with Evelyn here, what could I possibly do?"

"You're overthinking," Alexis responded, her tone even more indifferent and restrained than his.

Leonel let out a soft chuckle and, once Alexis was settled on the far side of the bed, turned off the light.

The room plunged into darkness, and Alexis found herself unable to sleep.

After a while, she broke the silence with a whisper. "We could actually consider in vitro fertilization. It wouldn't be much of a hassle."

There was a brief pause before Leonel responded, his voice laced with sarcasm, "You seemed to really enjoy the other night. If IVF was your intention, why not mention it from the start? Bringing it up now, after everything, seems a bit late, doesn't it?"

His words were pointed, yet Alexis seemed to have grown used to his sharp tone.

Perhaps too tired to argue, she focused on Evelyn, gently holding the child's tiny fingers, her gaze resting on her little face in the dim light. In moments like these, Alexis found solace in her daughter, making all the endurance worthwhile.

Leonel watched her silently, analyzing her every move.