CHAPTER 361: DAY OUT

"You are out with Ewan and the kids? After you announced to the whole world that you chose Antonio over your past?"

Aiden’s incredulous tone over the phone had Athena sighing weakly as she watched the kids clamber onto a merry‑go‑round with Ewan. The whole world was just her little family in the sitting room, but Aiden was making it sound like she’d staged a press conference.

He even sounded like Gianna, who had been sulking ever since then; hating to have been absent from home during that supposedly defining moment. Her best friend had even come home earlier than usual yesterday, popping in at intervals during the same, thirsting for drama.

Unfortunately for Gianna, Ewan hadn’t shown up — not until this afternoon... to take the children to the park.

He still hadn’t looked at her — not really. Except to send her a polite greeting and ask for Kathleen’s toy.

"Athena Caddels?"

Athena opened her mouth to give Aiden the same dry answer she’d given her friends when asked about this outing, but Ewan beckoned at that moment.

"Are you coming?"

And just like that, the words — saliva included — dried up in her mouth.

This was the first time he’d smiled at her since the incident. And that smile... boy, did it cause her heart to race.

"Yes, coming!" Her voice sounded far chirpier than she would have liked, and when Aiden chuckled in her ear, she knew she’d been right on the money.

She only hoped Ewan was too preoccupied with the children to notice she was suddenly flustered around him. But he turned away the moment she ended the call and started toward him, climbing onto a horse without waiting for her.

Not so gentlemanly now, are we?

She held back a scoff and climbed onto an adjacent horse as gracefully as she could — right before the recreational machine roared to life. The laughter of her children as the equipment spun them around was enough to keep a permanent smile on her face... and to keep the nerves at bay.

However, it couldn’t keep Ewan out of her mind. Not with him teasing and laughing alongside the kids. Every so often, when she caught herself staring, she would forcefully remember the sex with Antonio, and the constant flurry of texts they’d been exchanging ever since — love texts, photo texts, morning, noon, and night.

So much for the space she’d once clamored for.

"Do you want ice cream?"

She bit her lip now, watching her children follow Ewan to the ice cream stand, her hands slipping into the pockets of her caramel‑colored Zara shorts. Had they forgotten her already? Had the merry go round caused their loyalties to go round?

"Mom, aren’t you coming?" Nate called, dragging her from her foolish thoughts. She smiled like she’d just won the lottery and hurried after them.

While they ate their ice cream, they wandered around the park, admiring statues, gardens, and other refreshing sights.

"I love this place, Daddy!" Kate announced with such over‑the‑top enthusiasm that Athena was briefly stunned.

What happened to we’ll do whatever you like, Mommy? Did they think she was happy about this?

Nathaniel tugged her hand, snapping her out of her petty thoughts, and shame prickled her skin. What is wrong with me?

She stopped walking.

"Is everything okay, Mommy?" Nathaniel stopped beside her, alerting Kate to some anomaly.

The little one immediately slowed down when she noticed her brother had fallen back. A frown creased her little face when she saw her mother looking... confused.

"Daddy, wait..."

Ewan—who had been battling with a variety of emotions, enough to make him pity his own heart—turned to see the object of Kate’s attention. He stalled for a moment at the sight of Athena standing so still. Was she okay?

He’d been so lost in his own head that he hadn’t noticed her fall behind. Or rather, he had

noticed, but had pretended not to... so it wouldn’t seem like he was aware of every breath she took, every sigh, every movement of those beautiful lips.

"Athena, are you okay?"

Meanwhile, Athena watched Ewan approach her, taking the opportunity to admire every detail of him, including those muscles only sparsely hidden beneath his clothes. Which gym does he go to?

"Yeah, I’m fine. Just tired. Can you take them on? I think I’ll just take a breather on one of the benches here."

Ewan frowned. "Are you sure? We can sit with you. Do you need something?"

Do I need something? Maybe some clarity on why I’m jealous of my own children!

"I’m fine, Ewan. Thank you. Please, go on. I’ll catch up with you later."

He hesitated—and for a moment, she thought he might argue—but then he gave a curt nod, his lips pressing into a thin line, and turned to the kids. "You want to check out more games? Maybe the chess area... win some toys?"

The kids didn’t respond. Instead, they sidled closer to Athena. "We want to stay with you."

Ewan’s shoulders drooped. Out of habit, he wondered if Athena was doing this to take the children away from him. But in the same vein, he dismissed it. Athena was a good woman—the love of his life, his saviour.

Yes, he had given his blessing to her very public relationship with Antonio—currently trending at #1 on socials—but he was still intent on repaying her for saving his life at the expense of her own years ago.

If he couldn’t do that as her fiancé, then he would do it as a good friend and as a father to her children.

He would become the best father there was—the best co‑parent.

"Yes, we can stay with you," he said at last, seeing that Athena was having no luck convincing the children to go without her. "We can watch the sunset together."

Athena shook her head. "I won’t be here till sunset. I have a date with Antonio."

The last sentence was barely over a whisper, as though she were afraid of hurting Ewan. But to her surprise, he smiled.

"That’s great. Good for the socials and for business."

"And what is that

supposed to mean?" Her scowl came fast, along with that same confusing anger that had been simmering ever since his text to her two days ago.

Ewan swallowed. He’d crossed a line. "I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that, Athena. I just—"

She raised her hand, cutting him off. "Go with the kids. I’ll meet Antonio at his place."

A second swallow—this one of rage and confusion at the thought of another man touching his woman—and he gave her a short nod. "Of course. They’ll be waiting at home when you get back."

"Good." She dropped to eye level with her children and kissed their foreheads. "Mommy will see you soon, okay?"

The twins nodded and wished her well, and off she went—leaving Ewan standing there, still watching after her.

"Do you still like Mommy?" Kathleen’s voice broke into his thoughts.

When the meaning of her words settled, his ears went red. He cleared his throat, trying to recover. "Of course I like her. She’s a good woman. Do you want to check out the chess game?"

"She meant do you love my mother... Do you want her back?" Nate asked, sidestepping his earlier question entirely.

Ewan swallowed again, suddenly nervous. How exactly did one explain this to six‑year‑olds? Brainiac or not?

"Dad?" Kathleen’s eyes were wide and hopeful.

He wondered why. Were they planning to interfere in his relationship with Athena? He didn’t want that—didn’t think Athena would appreciate it. In fact, she’d probably believe he’d put them up to it. Never mind that their loyalty to her far outweighed any loyalty to him.

"I want what’s best for her. And that’s all that matters."

Nate raised a brow. "And how would you know what’s best for her?"

Ewan was briefly speechless. He ruffled Nate’s hair, looked away, scanning the park — his eyes unconsciously searching for Athena. "Because that’s what she wants. Whatever she wants is best for her."

Kate and Nate exchanged a glance, then shook their heads and chuckled drily.

"That’s the most untrue statement I’ve ever heard," Nate pointed out. "Most times, what we want is the worst thing for us. Surely you can see that."

Ewan breathed in and out slowly. "Well, your mom is an adult. She’s made good decisions eighty percent of the time, so I say we trust her call this time. Now, let’s head to the chess arena. The topic is closed."

"But—"

He raised a sharp brow, silencing Kathleen. "I said the topic is closed. Besides, you have school tomorrow. Don’t you have educational things you’d rather talk about?"

The two children snorted and looked elsewhere, clearly displeased at not getting their way.

"Come on now..." He smiled and ruffled their hair again. "We should allow Mommy to do what she wants. Don’t you think she deserves that? And if it’s a mistake, we should let her make it. Let her learn from it. She won’t be pleased if we interfere."

Still, he was deeply flattered that the kids thought he was a worthy contender for Athena’s affection.