CHAPTER 51: IT’S ALL ROME’S FAULT

"So that’s what really happened..."

Alpheus and Alfonso could only nod at me after I finally heard the whole story about what happened yesterday—something I had no idea about until now.

I was sitting in the principal’s office with them while the kids were already in their classrooms. I lowered my head in shame.

I had no clue that the children had been experiencing bullying for some time now. And the worst part? Even the school principal himself got involved—and sided with the bullies.

The kids hadn’t told me anything. After I stormed out of the restaurant following my resignation, I immediately got busy trying to look for another job.

I picked them up from school, but after that, I barely paid attention to them. I didn’t even notice their mood when they came home. I never even asked them how school went.

Maybe... maybe they would’ve told me if I had only paid attention. Maybe they did try to tell me, but I was too lost in my thoughts to listen.

"I didn’t even realize that something like this was already happening to them..." I murmured.

"You don’t have to blame yourself for this," Alpheus said gently. "Even the twins don’t blame themselves. They know they didn’t do anything wrong. It was the principal’s fault—for overlooking the bullying and choosing to be biased. But now that he’s gone, the kids won’t be bullied anymore."

I slowly lifted my head to look at them. I hadn’t realized how loud my last words had been.

At some point, I couldn’t help but feel embarrassed. I had let my anger toward Rome drag these two into the mess, when in fact, they were the ones who saved my twins from the bullies.

They even went as far as buying the school just to protect the kids. Knowing that... I didn’t even know if I still had the right to stay mad at them.

"I’m sorry... and thank you for standing up for my twins.." I said quietly, my head bowed in genuine gratitude.

I meant every word. Even if they didn’t directly go against Rome about what happened yesterday, they did step up for my children—and that, for me, meant more than anything else.

That’s when I finally came to a decision. Maybe... maybe I should just let them be part of the twins’ lives.

It doesn’t even seem like they plan to tell Rome the truth—that he has secret children. And for me, that’s what matters most.

Maybe they really do care about the twins. And if that’s the case, then... would it really be so wrong to let them see the kids every now and then?

"It’s all okay—no need to bow your head to us," Alfonso said, scratching the back of his neck with an awkward, almost shy smile. "Now that things have come to this... maybe you’ll stop doubting us. You know now we’re not the type to go running to Rome about the kids, right? Our intentions are pure. We just care about the twins."

He glanced away with a wistful expression. "Honestly, they already feel like our own kids. It’s just a shame we’re not their godfathers."

That made me pause. I blinked and turned to look at him.

"It really is such a shame, but we don’t have the right to blame you, Sylvia, for hiding the kids from Rome. We understand..." Alpheus said, nodding thoughtfully. "It’s late for us to get to know the kids, but in the short time we’ve spent with them, they’ve already become so dear to us. They’re like sunshine in our cold, dark world."

What... is he even saying all of a sudden?

"Well, it’s all Rome’s fault anyway," Alfonso added. "He was probably already married when the twins were born, so technically, it’s his fault we never had the chance to meet them earlier."

"Yeah... it really is Rome’s fault. We’re just lucky, honestly, because fate didn’t completely shut the door on us. Now it seems like Sylvia is finally giving us a chance to see the kids... Isn’t that right, Sylvia?"

I averted my gaze.

I hadn’t actually said anything yet about letting them see the twins—but they were already assuming I would. And for a second, I felt like taking back everything I’d been thinking earlier about giving them that chance. They were starting to sound a little too shameless now.

"Hey, bro, don’t be so shameless asking her like that," Alfonso muttered, half-whispering as he glanced at me. "Did you forget? Sylvia still hates us for what happened. Asking her to let us see the kids is asking too much. She probably still resents us."

Wow. Are they trying to gaslight me into saying yes? Is this some kind of reverse psychology?

"Oh, right... I totally forgot about that," Alpheus murmured, suddenly sounding guilty. "Maybe I just got carried away in the moment. Owning this school isn’t easy, and I thought—" He trailed off as he turned to look at me again.

Haist. Aren’t they being a little too impatient?

I let out a deep sigh.

"Okay... fine. You win." I finally said.

"The two of you have shown you don’t have any bad intentions toward the twins. So... I’ll let you see them."

The moment the words left my mouth, I saw it—that subtle twitch at the corners of their lips. Barely suppressed grins began to spread across their faces as they looked at each other like they’d just pulled off the greatest psychological play in history.

Like gaslighting mission accomplished.

"But..."

The two of them froze.

"If anything happens and Rome finds out about them—I’ll take back everything I just said. You’ll never see the twins again. Ever."

But the two of them just smiled, as if what I said didn’t faze them at all.

"That’s all?" Alpheus said, raising and lowering his eyebrows casually. "We didn’t even think about telling Rome in the first place, so don’t worry, Sylvia. Rome will never find out about the twins."

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Meanwhile...

"Hey! I need to talk to him! Open the door!"

"Ma’am, I’m sorry, but you can’t go in. Sir gave strict instructions that no one is allowed inside."

Rome shook his head as he heard that familiar shrill voice outside his office. He didn’t even need to guess who it was—he knew she’d come barging in after he cleared his name with the Monteverdes.

He calmly sipped his coffee, completely unfazed, letting his wife throw her tantrum outside.

"Don’t you know who I am?! I’m his wife! I’m Mrs. Hariston! And I’m with his son, so get out of the way if you still value your life!"

"But ma’am—even so... I’m really sorry, but you’re not allowed to enter—"

"You can’t stop me! I need to talk to Rome!"

Then, with a loud bang, the door swung open.

Ingrid stormed in furiously, flanked by her bodyguards. She looked like a storm ready to explode.

Rome glanced up at her as she stomped toward his desk, her face burning with rage, and slammed a newspaper onto his table with a loud thud.

"What the hell is the meaning of this, Rome?!" Ingrid snapped, slamming the newspaper down even harder this time. "What did you tell the Monteverdes?! Are you trying to ruin my life—and drag our son down with you?!"

Her voice trembled with fury. She turned sharply to glance at the small boy beside her—a five-year-old with messy dark hair and nervous hands clenched at his sides.

He just stood there silently, head bowed, unable to meet Rome’s eyes.

Rome’s jaw clenched. He noticed the boy’s refusal to look at him—and something flickered in his expression. But just for a second.

He quickly composed himself, straightened in his seat, then shifted his cold eyes toward Ingrid.

"Correction," he said flatly. "Your life was already a mess long before I said anything. So don’t go blaming me now that your image is crumbling in front of the Monteverdes."

Ingrid’s brows drew together in even deeper rage.