Alexis glanced at the rain, thinking of her children waiting at home, and smiled in acceptance.
âThank you, Mr.
Flores; that would be very kind.
â
Hank was delighted by her acceptance but maintained a composed demeanor.
He smiled politely and opened the passenger door for her with grace.
Just as Alexis was about to step into the car, she caught a glimpse of Leonel.
His car window was half-open, allowing the rain to streak down the glass, obscuring his face somewhat.
His gaze was fixed on her as he sat silently.
Alexis was indifferent to whether Leonel might misinterpret the situation.
Their relationship had ended⦠However, she suddenly remembered Evelynâs complaints about Leonelâs absence.
The little girl missed her father, who now rarely visited and mostly connected through video calls.
Despite their divorce, Alexis felt a responsibility towards their childrenâs emotional well-being.
She hesitated, but then decided against getting into the car.
Instead, she approached Leonelâs car.
Noticing her intention, Hank, aware of her history with Leonel, handed her an umbrella, saying gently, âItâs raining heavily.
Take this.
â
Having known Hank for years and given his business dealings with her firm, Alexis accepted the umbrella out of courtesy.
Meanwhile, Leonel watched expressionlessly from his car.
As Alexis approached under another manâs umbrella, Leonel looked up and, after a pause, asked with a hint of irony, âIs that your new boyfriend? He seems very sweet.
â
Leonelâs words were delivered in a neutral tone, but inwardly, he was berating himself for the bitterness that laced them.
Leonel might have once considered himself superior to this other man, but now, recognizing his own Limitations, he felt diminished.
The other man, at least, had his career and health-simple things like offering Alexis a ride or holding an umbrella for her, tasks Leonel found frustratingly out of reach.
His physical constraints gnawed at him, especially the thought that he might no longer satisfy Alexis as he once could.
How could he compete?
Alexis, unaware of Leonelâs internal turmoil, responded evenly, âHeâs just a partner.
â
Leonel, his tone edged with sarcasm, couldnât help but probe, âReally? A partner in what exactly?â
The question charged the air with tension.
Noreen squirmed, sensing the discomfort.
It seemed inappropriate for Leonel to make such insinuations, even if Alexis was really in a new relationship.
Alexis was clearly irritated by his tone.
Until their most recent encounter at the airport, which turned out nice, it had been over six months since they last saw each other.
Surprised by his harshness now, she retorted, her voice low and controlled, âLeonel, can you stop being so childish?â
Leonel responded only with a piercing look, saying nothing.
His attitude effectively quashed any remaining desire Alexis had to discuss their children, and she began to step away, just as Hank moved to join her under the umbrella.
The sight of them together was a sharp sting to Leonel.
He fixed his gaze on them and commanded the driver coldly, âDrive.
Now.
â
The driver complied without hesitation, and as they pulled away, the limousine kicked up a spray of muddy water that drenched Alexis.
She stood there, seemingly unaffected, lost in thought.