Maurene''S POV


    I blinked up at Nathaniel who fixed his eyes on me like he was trying to ess my soul. I looked away, swallowing hard and praying mentally that none of the kids get injured and even worse walk up to me at this moment because there was no way I would be able to exin to Nathaniel especially if he meets Kai. The resemnce between those two was really visible and striking. Their striking amber eyes gave it away.


    I gripped Liam''s hand as I licked my lower lip, ncing over Nathaniel ''s shoulder to check on the kids. They were busyughing and Kylie was talking to another girl I did not recognize. She knew how to make friends easily. Just like me. I have not made any friends after my divorce and Liam still remained my best friend. I don''t think I need one at this moment.


    "Yes," Liam grinned as he looked at me with pride. My heart skipped at how sincere and real the smile was. What was happening to my heart?


    Liam was my best friend. Nothing can change that. We have a contract, nothing can go wrong.


    A muscle in Nathaniel ''s jaw ticked as he red at Liam. I watched his fish clench tight before he made a noise deep in his throat and looked away. A skip in my chest made me flinch as he wanted to look at the direction of the kids but thankfully, he looked in another direction. I caught the gaze of Kyle and he waved at me, his mouth tilted in a grin. My hands itched to return his wave but I could not.


    The silence hanging between us was strange and weird. I cleared my throat and said, turning to Liam fully. "I want to see thedies." He pursed his lips, his eyes narrowing before he nodded, releasing me and I avoided bumping into Nathaniel as I walked past him and even though I could see him side-eyed me, I ignored it and walked away, hoping Liam will keep him away from the kids.


    As soon as I reached the toilet, a breath of relief escaped past my nostrils as I gripped the edges of the basin. I stared into my reflection in the mirror and bit my lower lip to stop it from trembling. A sob cracked through me and I held it down, swallowing hard. I was not going to cry. I did not know why I wanted to cry but I would not. I was strong. I was capable of taking care of my children without any man''s help. The fear that Nathaniel would find out about the kids and probably demand custody of them had somehow managed to grip me unknowingly and I would not let it affect me.


    I exhaled deeply and inhaled, stepping back andforting myself. I let the mask of indifference fall on my face and I stepped out of the toilet. I walked to the spot I had left them and noticed they were not there anymore. My heartbeat rate skipped twice and I nced around frantically, my heart hammering against my chest.


    Has he found them?


    Did he...


    Wait... Where is Liam?


    Where are the kids?


    I rushed to the ce I had seen themst and they were not there either.


    "Liam-"


    "Maurene?" A voice I found familiar yet strange cut me off and I turned around, gulping hard as I took note of thedy standing before me. My eyes narrowed, the fact that my kids were missing resonated through me. Yet I did not know where I had met thisdy.


    "You don''t remember me?" She sounded so surprised and I shook my head, racking my head for where the kids could have gone to.


    "Thedy from the hospital. The day you found out about your pregnancy." She exined, the smile she had since we met was still stered on her face.


    Oh! I remember her!


    I did! I did!


    "Oh! You..." I trailed off and she nodded her head, dness evident on her face at the fact that I recognized her. She was right. We had met at the hospital and she had alsoe to check if she was pregnant but unfortunately, she was not. I nced around the ce. "You came with your kid?" I asked.


    She shook her head, a brief sadness casting on her face. "I haven''t -"


    I understood even before she stopped herself. I had been the one who rambled about being barren and how shocking it was for me to conceive and here I was... unable to. I pray she does anytime soon.


    My face fell and she managed to brighten up again, her smile was back in ce. "What of your husband? Was he happy when he found out about the kids?" She asked, her eyes glinting with anticipation as she gripped my hands. I bit my inner cheeks. Should I tell her yes or no?


    I shook my head also, my smile carried a wave of sadness too this time. "Not at all." I said.


    "What happened?" She asked, concern etched on her face.


    "I-" Just as I opened my mouth to exin to her, a man who looked so much like a bodyguard walked up to her and whispered some things in her ears. Her eyes widened for a brief moment before she nodded. Stepping away from her, she looked at me and said. "What about this? You give me your contact then we can talk it over coffee. Huh? What do you think?" She asked, fishing out her phone then extending it toward me.


    I nodded and ced my contact on her phone before she smiled up at me. "You are a strongdy. I envy you. My husband is waiting for me." With that, she engulfed me in a hug and walked away, leaving me at the spot. That was when I realized that I was yet to see Liam or the kids and even Nathaniel !


    Where were they?


    Wait, she did not even give me her name!


    I shook my head and nced around the park. Where did they go?


    "Maurene!" Liam''s voice echoed behind me and I halted then turned toward his direction. Relief washed through me as I saw him standing with the kids and I walked up to them.


    "Where were you guys? I searched all-"


    "We also searched everywhere for you. Anyway, it is getting dark, let us go." Liam said and I nodded, taking Kai''s hands as Liam led us to his car.


    Settling into his car, he ignited the car''s engine and it was then I noticed Kylie had fallen asleep so thankfully, we will not be listening to an ear-tearing ylist. The drive back to my house was quiet and it gave me time to think back to the event of the day.


    Liam... Nathaniel ... the contract and Liam acting so well that even I knew there were no ws on his part except for mine because I was always shocked at how well he could y the part. I let out a deep breath and licked my lower lip. What if he had seen the kids? What would I have done?


    I wondered as I looked out through the window. It would have been... no, I should not think about it.


    We soon reached home and Liam took it upon himself to carry Kylie inside while I led the boys to their room. Later that night, as I snuggled Kaiin his bed, he groaned, and just as I turned to leave, he grabbed my hands and I looked into his amber eyes, my heart skipping as Nathaniel ''s face shed in my peripheral vision.


    "I want my daddy, Mommy!"