Ex Husband Wants Me Back

Chapter 16

Lessie's POV

Adele had finished cooking and served everyone at the table. Since there wasn't a dining table, we made do with the only table available.

Even though Jasmine had just eaten chocolate, she devoured her food hurriedly. At first, I was amused watching her eat, but I quickly cautioned her, worried she might hurt herself.

"Sweetheart, don’t rush your food," I said gently.

"Okay, Mommy." Jasmine replied obediently. I glanced at James, smiling as he ate modestly and neatly.

Once we finished eating, I took the plates to the kitchen and washed them quickly. Adele had also finished, so I washed hers as well.

When I returned to the room, the kids were already lying on the bed. Adele looked at me and asked, “Ma’am, when are you leaving?”

I sighed, unsure of what to say. No one truly knew, so I just smiled as I walked in. I couldn’t let them sense how my night had been ruined at the party; the kids might unfairly blame themselves for something beyond their control.

“Ma’am?” she called again, noticing my silence.

"Uh, we’re supposed to stay for just two weeks. Let’s see how it goes, though," I replied.

"Oh, okay." Perhaps sensing my mood, Adele didn’t ask further questions.

I turned to the kids and urged them to lie down.

"Mommy, we can’t sleep," James said.

"Why?" I asked, puzzled.

They both shrugged. "We don’t know.”

"Really?" I looked at them quietly. If they couldn’t sleep, then I wouldn’t be able to get to bed either.

"What would you like Mommy to do?" I asked after a moment's thought.

The two of them exchanged thoughtful glances, silently communicating with each other.

"I’m waiting."

"Okay, Mommy, we want to hear a bedtime story!" they shouted excitedly.

I was speechless. So that’s what they’d been debating? How amusing!

"Alright, alright. Mommy will tell you a story." I adjusted on the bed. "Lie down properly," I said to Jasmine.

She had her legs up in an odd position, so I had to remind her.

"But I like it this way," Jasmine pouted, feeling a little hurt.

"Mommy wants you lying properly, so just do it, Jasmine," James chimed in, and Jasmine frowned.

"It’s alright, it’s alright," I quickly reassured, seeing Jasmine was about to argue. The last thing I wanted tonight was for them to start bickering.

Adele quietly observed from the smaller bed. Originally, this room only had one large bed, but with the kids' nanny joining, I'd had to request an extra bed from the hotel staff for her.

“Mommy, James shouted at me.” Jasmine folded her arms tightly, her face set in a pout.

“Don’t cry, baby.” Her eyes already shimmered with unshed tears.

Suddenly, a headache began creeping in. I noticed James looking at me with concern, he must have seen my expression change. I quickly offered him a reassuring smile.

“Jasmine, your mommy wants to read a story to both of you. If you don’t behave, you’ll have to sleep without a bedtime story,” Adele intervened, saving me.

I glanced at Jasmine again, and this time, her face showed only eagerness and obedience. I breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that Adele’s words had worked.

“Can I start now?” I asked, looking at them. Jasmine shifted closer to me.

“Yes, Mommy,” they both replied, their excitement unmistakable.

I began reading once I saw they were fully engrossed. Even Adele was listening attentively, joining the kids in enjoying the bedtime story.

By the time I finished, both kids were fighting sleep. Jasmine’s hand was slipping from her chin, her eyes heavy. I gently laid her down, adjusting James as well.

On the other bed, I noticed that Adele had also dozed off. It wasn’t a surprise; my bedtime stories often had this effect on them.

With the room now peaceful, I went for a quick shower, even though it was a bit chilly.

Even after taking a bath, I still wasn't feeling sleepy. It was almost close to midnight already.

Wrapping myself in a bedsheet, I headed out to the balcony.

Each passing minute brought a deep sigh.

Why, after five years, was Freddie back in my life? If I had a choice, I’d never see him again.

Maybe this was some test from above, but I'm happy about it.

I had been hurt, had struggled to make a comeback for myself, but still—

Still, I felt empty.

I had been standing on the balcony for who knows how long, only deciding to return to the room once my legs grew numb.

If it were up to me, I would have stayed out there, watching the dark clouds instead of going inside. Sleep seemed impossible tonight.

Once I was inside, I tiptoed quietly toward the bed, careful not to let my footsteps disturb the kids as they slept.

I reached over to the bedside table for my phone, turning it on casually, only to see 15 missed calls.

I frowned, feeling a surge of unease. What could be wrong? Who would call me over 15 times in the middle of the night?

Just as I clicked to check who it was, my phone screen went dark.

“Oh no, it's already dead.” I’d forgotten to plug it in after coming back from the party.

I quickly found the charger and plugged it in, intending to wait until it powered up, but at some point, I drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, I woke up with a pounding headache.

“Ah,” I groaned softly.

“Mommy, you’re awake?” Jasmine said, running over from the kitchen.

“Careful, careful!” I quickly cautioned her. She might hurt herself.

“Mommy, you woke up pretty late. Are you okay?” James, who had also come over, looked at me with worry in his eyes.

I was at a loss for words, touched by James' concern.

“Haha, didn’t I tell you your mommy’s fine?” Adele said, stepping over. I looked at her, confused.

“What did you tell them?” I asked.

“You slept a long time, and they were worried. I tried to reassure them, but they wouldn’t relax until they checked to see you were breathing,” Adele explained.

“Really?” I chuckled, glancing at the kids to confirm, but they only looked away shyly.

“Come here, sweethearts,” I said gently, but they’d already dashed off to the balcony.

I didn’t go after them. I grabbed my phone from the charging port, and it was only then that last night came back to me.

“Oh no, how could I have slept so deeply?” The thought of 15 missed calls weighed on me, especially since I still had no idea who was calling.

Without wasting time, I quickly unlocked my phone and checked, only to see that all the calls had come from an unknown number.

"Is this some kind of joke?” I muttered in frustration, letting out a sigh.

I already had suspicions about those missed calls, but seeing they were from an unknown number irritated me further. I dropped my phone, deciding there was no way I’d call back.

Forget it. Whoever it was could wait.

I got up to take a shower. The kids had already bathed. As I finished dressing, my phone rang again—the unknown caller.

I sighed, frustrated. Part of me wanted to ignore it, but I knew I’d only get more missed calls if I didn’t answer.

“Hello? Who is this? Why keep calling?” I snapped, my frustration spilling over.

The response left me speechless.

“Lessie, you’ve got some nerve. Damn you!” a familiar male voice growled.

My brows furrowed in shock. Was I hearing things?

“Freddie?” I asked, uncertain.