Nine months too late: After divorce

The pain in her voice was crystal clear. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, and she hoped to heaven those tears remained unshed.

But Kage...he didn't even show off any reaction. He just remained in that position, his cold eyes boring holes into hers. Moments passed, and when he still didn't say a word, Sylvie scoffed. Of course, how had she been expecting a response from him?

A treacherous tear dropped to her cheek. Damn it.

"It's fine," she sniffled, wiping the stubborn tear that had begin rolling down to her neck. "Forget I asked."

She turned to the door again, grabbing the knob.

"I looked forward to this moment, you know?" Kage spoke, freezing Sylvie at the door, though she didn't turn to look at him. "I had hoped it'd hurt, and it is just like I'd anticipated." Disbelief coursed through Sylvie. Her brows furrowed as she looked at him. She still stood there, looking like a statue.

Did he just...

She scoffed, finding it hard to believe. All this was just to hurt her?

Well, yeah. He's done a really good job.

Her lips pressed firmly as she angrily opened the door and stormed out, her heart pounding violently against her ribs.

Exiting the place with the staff, she asked them to head back to the company as she needed to be somewhere else. It was the reason she'd driven in a separate car.

Alone in her own car and on the road, Sylvie couldn't control the tears that streaked her cheeks.

Damn Kage Hawkins. Even after all these

years,

he was still a jerk.

She drove a little carelessly, feeling the burn spreading in her heart.

had hoped it'd hurt, and it is just like I'd anticipated.' His words made her grunt.

How could he? How come he go this extra just to hurt her? Did he even know what she had to endure while they were separated? They've met twice now, yet he hadn't asked about the kdks yet! How could he be so unfeeling? She cried for a long time, but by the time the car pulled over in front of the school, she was better.

Grabbing the bag from the backseat, she

She was a little late-thanks to h

kids' mum would be late.

exited the car and walked toward the school gate.

meeting with Kage. The school was clearly over, but she hoped just like the last time, the

The little boy wasn't by the road today-which was a good sign.

Peeping through the gate, she fortunately spotted Aura running around. Thank goodness.

The little girl found her as well and leapt with joy to meet her.

LO

"Hello, Ms! It's you again!" She sounded so excited.

"Hi, pretty. How're you doing? Sylvie resisted the urge to run her fingers through the girl's black hair which was styled into two ponytails like the last time. "I'm fine, Ms."

Sylvie looked around. "Where's your brother? I actually have something for you two."

The girl's eyes beamed at the sight of the bag in Sylvie's hand. She let out a bright smile, one that stunned Sylvie.

The girl had a left-sided dimple.

"I'll go get him." She scurried off, into the school.

Sylvie watched her, so amused. What was it about these kids that left her heart fluttering?

The little girl returned with her brother some minutes later and although, the boy didn't talk, Sylvie could see he very happy he was to see her again.

She handed the separate gifts to them, and when they both unboxed it, their eyes lit up at the contents.

"An iPad!"/Aura screamed.

She and her brother hugged, her brother laughing so hard but silently. Sylvie could see that he'd have been talking the most if he didn't have a speech problem.

Then, just when she thought her heart couldn't flutter any further, Aura ran onto Sylvie's waist, giving her a tight hug.

Sylvie's heart restarted instantly, her thoughts momentarily going quiet. Good God.

The contact felt so magical, so real.

"Thank you so much, Ms. Thank you for these," Aura said, her small hands still wrapping around Sylvie's waist. Getting over the shock, Sylvie managed to fit her hands, putting them around the girl and patting her on the back. "You welcome, love."

When Aura stepped back, Sylvie looked at Asher who was still grinning from ear to ear.

Now, you have your own tablet, little man. So, you don't have to run into the street with Bridget's tablet anymore." She lowered herself to his eye level to speak to him.

More to her poor heart being overwhelmed, the little boy stepped into her space, giving her his own share of the hug.

Goosebumps filled Sylvie immediately. She'd thought it was only possible to feel this way around the men she loved. She never imagined feeling....so alive with these kids. She ruffled his hair, pulling him deeper into the hug.

"You welcome, little man." Her cheeks were impossibly red and hot.

"Asher," she heard a small, sweet voice say. And it wasn't Aura's.

Instead, it sounded like it'd come from....

Surprise flickered across her face as she pulled the boy away from her waist, enough to stare into his face.

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"Did you...say something? Sylvie aske

He nodded with a shy smile.

"Asher!" Aura called in disbelief, her

astonished.

eyes going round. "Y-You said something! You spoke!"

The realization struck Sylvie so hard, she almost passed out in excitement. ard, she almost passed out in excitement.

He was telling her his name!

Then, she remembered. The last time, he'd been trying to pronounce his name as well when his sister interrupted. She couldn't believe he still had it in mind all these while and forced himself to pronounce it to her. "You can speak!" Aura was still giddy. "Come on, say something else. Say my name!"

But Asher shyly lowered his gaze, not uttering another word.

Sylvie took his hands, holding them tenderly in hers. "Let's not pressure Asher now, okay? I'm sure with time, he'll get to speak more. Right, Asher?"

He nodded.

"Good. See?" She winked at Aura.

"You have a very beautiful name" she told him and watched his cheeks turn red.

Good lord. These kids were simply adorable.

Now, she was really interested. Maybe she could get to know why he stopped talking in the first place.

I