âIâm aware youâre eager to move on, but indulge me with this meal.
Itâs customary to share a parting dinner, isnât it? Despite the end of our marriage, weâll remain entwined in ways most donât understand.
How does that sit with you?â
Alexis paused, her mind reeling.
It was his birthday.
A sardonic smile played on Leonelâs lips.
âIt indeed slipped your mind, then.
Perhaps only the date of Calvinâs passing holds your heart captive.
â
She pressed her lips together, a slight tension evident.
âYour birthday shouldnât be overshadowed by such talk,â she replied quietly.
Meeting her gaze, he searched her eyes.
âDo I still matter to you?â
Alexis didnât speak.
Instead, she took a bite of her vegetables, chewing thoughtfully before turning to the egg, leaving half the noodles untouched, which Leonel finished.
She was about to speak when he rose.
âIâll check on the children,â he announced.
Alexis interjected, âWe should discuss the agreement.
â
He paused, his silhouette framed by the staircase.
Turning back, he looked at her with clear
intensity.
âOn my birthday, must we revisit the topic of divorce?â
Feeling cornered, Alexis conceded, âVery well.
Another day, then.
â
With that, Leonel ascended the stairs, his footsteps echoing towards the study.
Evelyn and Daniel were absorbed in their studies, lessons imparted by Alexisâ adept teaching.
Though aware of their fatherâs return, they chose to focus on their schoolwork first.
When Leonel entered, Evelynâs face lit up.
She sprinted towards him with a joyous âDad!â
Daniel, typically more guarded, allowed a small smile to break through.
Gathering Evelyn into his arms, Leonel acknowledged her dedication.
âI have to do my homework,â she said timidly.
He stroked her hair in a fatherly gesture and set her back on her feet.
Leonel then observed Danielâs work.
The boyâs academic prowess surpassed that of his sister, not that it mattered to Leonel.
He believed a boyâs destiny lay in the family business, while a girlâs in being nurtured in soul and comfort.
Daniel, sensing his fatherâs presence, remained vigilant.
Leonel couldnât help but see a reflection of himself in his son, yet he knew Daniel benefited from a more affluent Lineage.
As for Evelyn, she had wrapped up her tasks swiftly, though Leonel noted she hadnât recited her lessons yet.
Opting not to press the matter, he chose instead to join her in reading a book for Leisure.
In the quiet glow, Danielâs expression was grave.
Evelyn rested against Leonel, her eyes, large and tearful, never leaving his face.
Then, with a quiver in her voice, she asked, âDaddy, are you and Mommy going to divorce? Will Daniel and I have to choose who to live with?â