Chapter 138 Gift and Refusal 

Chapter 138: Gift and Refusal 

Ruby’s POV 

“Excuse me, servant, who sent all of these?” 

The moment I stepped out of my room, I was greeted by a collection of gifts and flower bouquets in a variety of colors. My jaw dropped as I was flooded with all these presents, seemingly appearing out of nowhere. Every single one of them was something I loved. I touched the white petals of a lily, its scent instantly filling my with the sweet essence of its nectar. The servant bowed in greeting. “Good morning, Lady Torrance. I merely received all these gifts from a courier. When I asked about the sender’s identity, the courier said he didn’t know.” 

“How strange,” I murmured. 

My brows furrowed as I examined all the gift boxes. I had no idea who would willingly spend so much money to send all of this. And I only had a handful of people close to me. 

A feeling of unease crept over me. Was this some kind of joke? 

“Would you like me to dispose of them or perhaps store them in your room, my lady?” the servant asked suddenly. 

I nodded, still staring at the mountain of gifts. 

“Yes, please. Just move everything to my room. I’ll try to find out who the sender is. Thank you,” I replied. 

“As you wish, my lady.” 

The items were finally brought upstairs. Fortunately, the twins were still asleep. Otherwise, they would’ve sat on the floor all day tearing open the presents and refusing to go to school. That was the last thing I wanted. 

“Who could’ve sent them?” 

Moments later, a realization struck me. There was one person who might’ve sent all those gifts. My face went pale. No, that couldn’t be. Why would that person do such a thing? 

There was no connection between us anymore. Besides, I was still in mourning. Shaking off the thought, I began to think about how to start this Monday with the twins. 

Month after month passed, and my heart still ached. But it no longer consumed me the way it did in the early days of losing my mate. 

It’s been a year since Mikael left this world, and painfully life insisted on moving forward. The twins, Anna and Alice, started elementary school last month, and each morning felt like a quiet little victory when we managed to get out the door. 

I’m proud of them. They’re tougher than I imagined. Anna even no longer cries when visiting her father’s grave. “Mom, look! I tied my shoes by myself!” 

Anna announced this morning, grinning, her tongue sticking out from between her teeth with intense focus. “Really? That’s amazing, sweetheart.” 

I squatted down and high–fived her, ignoring the lump that always forms in my throat when Mikael’s absence pulls at me 

during these little milestones. He should be here for this. 

Alice, who’s always calmer, tugged at the sleeve of my shirt. 

“I drew Dad in class yesterday, mom.” 

My eyes softened when I heard that. “Can I see it when you get home, sweetheart?” 

“Of course!” 

A smile spread across her little face as she slipped her tiny hand into mine. 

And then there’s Elias Torrance, now a six–month–old baby boy. He looks so much like his father. His pale blue eyes follow me around the room, as if he knows what I carry. 

mile 

He babbles and kicks when he sees his sisters, laughing as they make silly faces. Sometimes, I swear I see Mika on his face. I can already imagine what my little boy will be like when he grows up. He’s definitely going to be a miniature version of Mikael. 

After dropping the twins off at school, I took Elias for a walk around the city. The autumn air felt fresh, and the leaves were beginning to turn gold and red. I was adjusting to this new rushed mornings, school runs, bottles, and the silence 

Successfully unlocked! 

in between. 

I was folding laundry when my phone rang. The contact name that appeared was Leonidas. 

A message popped up on the screen. 

“Ros, the café in the square. 2 PM today. Don’t argue. – Leo” 

i sighed a reductant sale hugging of my los saxnidas is one of the few people who can still get away with bossing m wound 14 once thought shont offing fed with him out of embarrassment. But it turns out Mikant was right Not 

rfing good has to be thrown gay just became something else hurts 

1 nouers # 210 Cura lata, since sorting fras kids means I’m always fifteen minutes behind. Ellas was sound asleep in his evolar when i pothed the cafe door open, me small of freshly Baker Bread and coffee enveloping me 

Lacnidas was drearly there, weing at me as though he owned the place His friendly smile and sun–kissed, messy hair mara kim look punger than his rink Bets of the Sundranch Kingdom, an old friend of mine, and the person who refused to treat me like I was maria of glass since Mikael’s death. 

“Took you long enough he teased as I sat down. 

T have three kids, Lao, You’re lucky even made it 

He laughed, leaning back in his chair. Fair enough. I’m impressed, honestly You look alive” 

Doing my be 

A waiter brought over two drinks, I tilted my head when my drink was delivered. The man knew me well. The conversation fowed easily, it started with mine, describing life at home and the wolf children, the latest gossip among various races, and the ongoing recovery after the wat 

I sipped the caramel macchiato, savoring the sweetness and cream in my mouth. My eyes didn’t glance at the outside world through the café’s glass panels, I was glad Leonidas invited me to meet here. I hadn’t realized that this would be the small entertainment I needed, as Luna Karina had said. 

1 heard you turned down the educational aid offered by the kingdom for the kids, he said, tilting his head. 

I glanced at him from the comer of my eye. I wasn’t expecting this topic. Of course, the man would report it to him, and again, he probably knew about this meeting 

“Yes, I turned it down.” 

“Why?” He didn’t sound angry, more like irritated, “Ros, you could use the help.” 

I couldn’t stop myself from snapping. 1 don’t want their money. Not if it’s from him.” 

Leonidas sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Ros-” 

To interrupted, throwing him a sharp look. 1 won’t take anything related to Killian. I don’t care if he sits on the throne or mines gold for the kingdom.” 

He won’t affect my children’s future. Not after what he did and how he left so much for me to deal with. Besides, this isn’t his responsibility at all I continued, so angry as I remembered the day when that man sent his people to deliver that responsibility to me. 

Leonidas watched me for a moment. “Alright. I understand. I don’t agree because to me it’s an opportunity. But I understand our mindsets are different.” 

I rolled my eyes lazily. “You’re always eager to take advantage of every opportunity.” 

“Bingo 

Silence stretched between us. Then, as I took a bite of my mocha, I caught the change in his expression. A smile spread across his face, usually hidden behind an apathetic mask. 

“With better news. You’ll never guess what happened.” 

I stared at him flatly. “You? In trouble again?” 

“Ha! Not this time. I’ve met my match.” 

That took me by surprise for a moment. “Wait, seriously? Leonidas, that’s… wow. Who?” 

“His name is Sean.” 

His smile softened into something calmer, brighter. “He’s a former healer. Smart, stubborn. He saved my life arctole my heart while doing it.” 

“And yes, now he’s replacing Beatrice. Head of the palace servants. Though I wish I could convince him to go back to his position so I wouldn’t have to keep going in and out of the palace. It’s exhausting!” he added, followed by an annoyed groan. I couldn’t stop myself from smiling. “I’m so happy for you, Leo. Really.” 

He shrugged, though his eyes were sparkling. “I didn’t expect it. I thought maybe the bond would feel like thunder or lightning, or something bigger than me, you know?” 

“But it wasn’t. It feels like I can finally breathe again, like I’ve found something I didn’t even know I was missing,” he mused, as if thinking of the man in his mind. 

My throat tightened, a bitter taste settling in my chest. I was envious of it in a way that acknowledged what I no longer had. 

Chapter 138 Gift and Refusal 

What Mikael had given me. I shouldn’t feel this way when my friend is telling me the happy story of his life with his mate. 

Leonidas seemed to read my thoughts. He stretched his hand across the table, his hand covering mine. “It doesn’t mean you’ve forgotten him, Ros. Or that you’re moving on as if he was just an illusion to you. It means you keep going. You let yourself feel something else when you’re ready.” 

“I’m not sure I’ll ever be ready, Leo.” 

He squeezed my hand gently. “And that’s okay. Just go with the flow like water. Trust me, water always has a purpose.” 

We stayed like that for a while. Just two people remembering a man we both loved in different ways, and carrying pieces of him within us. Then, smoothly, the topic shifted to lighter things. 

Finally, Leonidas grinned again. “So, think about letting me babysit your kids sometime. Sean is dying to meet those famous twins.” 

I chuckled. “Brave man.” 

“Stubborn, more like. But I think we’ll make it happen. Let him see how sweet your kids are.” 

A laugh escaped my lips as I took a bite of the last piece of bread. 

“Yeah, alright. I’ll arrange the schedule.” 

口 

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