It wasn't until at the meeting that Leonel replied to Alexis’ message.

His reply was brief- "Alright."

After sending the message, he sat silently, seemingly awaiting her reply, oblivious to his subordinates’ words.

However, no further messages came. In their current dynamic, maybe Alexis felt no need to respond.

They were simply family now.

Leonel smiled wryly.

Later on, Leonel and Alexis developed a normal relationship, and he proved to be a capable father. He no longer felt inadequate in front of the children but came to terms with the imperfection of his leg.

During weekends, he would fetch the kids and bring them to his villa for weekend getaways together.

Cordelia would crawl around the bedroom, engaging Leonel in storytelling, block-building, and feeding sessions.

Meanwhile, Evelyn diligently completed her homework before assisting Leonel with leg massages. Despite Daniel's seemingly indifferent demeanor, he secretly researched the best rehabilitation methods on Google and even accompanied Leonel to doctor appointments. Daniel exhibited maturity beyond his years.

In this peaceful and somewhat joyous routine, Alexis remained Leonel's only lingering regret, a feeling that intensified as his leg approached 70% recovery.

As the first snow of this year fell on Christmas, Leonel sat in his car, chatting with Evelyn over the phone. Her voice, softer than the delicate snowflakes, expressed her Longing for him.

Leonel smiled warmly.

However, his smile froze when he caught sight of Alexis outside.

She wasn't alone.

Standing beside a young man, her hand resting on his shoulder, Alexis wore a relaxed smile, her eyes shining brightly.

She appeared radiant, as if she had fallen in love.

The window was partially open. Leonel sat in the car, watching Alexis and the man in silence.

He had declined Alexis' request once, never fully imagining this confrontation. Yet, seeing it unfold, he felt a blend of disappointment and an eerie sense of detachment.

Snowflakes meandered into the car, settling on his shoulder.