Before long, Alexis heard his footsteps as he walked up the staircase.

She left the window and turned towards the door. “Leonel, is that you?" she called out in a soft voice.

"Yes, it's me. I'm back," Leonel called back. "It all went well. I flew back as soon as the matter was settled."

As he spoke, he put down his luggage and came to meet her. He raised his hand as if he wanted to touch her face, but he suddenly changed his mind and withdrew his hand.

“Let me go take a shower and then we'll have dinner together," he said with a faint smile.

"Okay." Alexis nodded. “Evelyn and Daniel are at my parents'."

When Leonel heard this, he stopped in his tracks and said, "Well, let them stay there for the night then. I'll take you and Cordelia there in a few days’ time."

Leonel had made up his mind to let go. But being a very stubborn man, he didn't want to do it now. He wanted to wait till the last moment of their parting.

It felt like a ritual to him.

He was determined to make his last farewell to Alexis memorable.

He looked at her in silence and she also looked back at him.

Eventually, Leonel broke the silence and said softly, “Let me go freshen up. Make sure you close the window so you don't catch a cold."

"Okay," Alexis replied.

Leonel looked at her for a few more seconds before leaving the study.

As soon as he stepped into the master bedroom, he saw little Cordelia, and he couldn't help but think that she had gained some weight in the last two days. He bent down and gave her an affectionate kiss.

Two days ago, when Alexis asked him if he wanted to raise Cordelia, he had answered in the negative.

But the truth was, how could he not want his own flesh and blood.

After all, he had lost Alexis, and spending time with Cordelia would probably make his life easier.

But then again, Alexis had almost died in the operating room when she was giving birth to Cordelia.

So how could he have the heart to snatch this baby girl from her mother?