By early morning, Alexis woke up to find that Leonel had already left.
The room was warm and cozy, yet the essence of his presence had faded.
At Danielâs bedside, there was a new food container holding the breakfast Leonel had made earlier that morning.
Inside the container were a few snacks, so delicately made that their careful preparation was evident.
Concerned that Alexis might be upset, Daniel refrained from eating them.
In a gentle voice, Alexis said, âGo freshen up and come have breakfast.
You love these, donât you?â
Daniel hesitated, almost speaking but then thought better of it.
Alexis approached him, pulling him into a hug and giving him a ki*s.
âThose adult things are between daddy and mommy.
You and Evelyn love your daddy, and heâs ready to look after you.
Thatâs all that matters.
You donât need to feel bad for me.
â
Daniel, typically a tough little guy, lingered in his motherâs embrace longer than usual.
After he went to freshen up, Alexis walked over to the window.
That was when she noticed it had snowed overnight.
âs BunnyBookery
The ground was covered in over ten inches of snow, making it difficult to walk, much less drive.
She glanced at the food container again, surmising that Leonel must have made the food that morning and brought it over.
The better he treated her and their kids, the more it pained Alexis.
She extended her slender fingers, absentmindedly tracing a maple leaf on the foggy window.
Coming back to herself, she realized what she had drawn.
Just then, the door opened and Leonel entered.
When he noticed what she drew, his Adamâs apple moved visibly.
âAlexis?â
After wiping the pattern from the window, Alexis turned to face Leonel, her voice calm.
âDanielâs fever has subsided.
Heâs better now.
You can go about your day.
â
Leonel closed the door behind him.
Dressed in an overcoat, remnants of snow clung to his hair.
He gazed at her for a while and then offered a slight smile.
âI donât have any pressing matters.
And honestly, I donât have anywhere else to be.
â
In the past, the Fowler family had been his only family.
Leonel had always spent the holidays with the Fowler family.
Waylen would take him to visit friends and relatives, proudly introducing Leonel as his son.
Now, Leonel was alone, without family.
Silence fell between Leonel and Alexis, both lost in the same thoughts.
Just then, Daniel approached.
Leonel tended to him.
Alexis received a call from Waylen, reassuring her that Korbyn was okay and advising her not to worry; he also mentioned Rena would visit the hospital later that afternoon.