Chapter 140: Chasing Her Hope 

Killian’s POV 

Finally, I followed Leonidas‘ advice. 

I had said it might be a foolish plan, but seeing the twins again stirred something inside me, something that felt a lot like contentment. Or maybe happiness. I’d never felt this way when I looked at other children. 

I wore nothing more than a casual outfit with a black coat–neutral enough to pases just another parent wandering around the elementary school grounds. I stayed in the shadows under a tree, quietly observing the kids as they scattered across the yard during recess. 

Anna and Alice were easy to spot. A pair of hyperactive twins chasing each other across the playground, their laughter slicing through the autumn wind. They looked like her, an uncanny blend of Ruby and their father. However, physically, they bore more of Ruby’s features. Including that same stubborn spark in their eyes. 

“You’ve got two miniature versions of yourself, Ruby,” I muttered to myself. 

I had no intention of getting any closer. Just watching them from afar was enough. 

A quiet effort to make sure the twins were okay. A silent offering to Mikael, and to the part of Ruby I’d shattered; one that could never be whole again.. 

I hadn’t realized how deeply I’d slipped into my thoughts until I noticed one of the twins had spotted me. 

Alice turned toward me, freezing in her tracks. Her eyes narrowed slightly, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of recognition in her little face. Then, her smile widened as she pointed straight at me. 

I sighed in resignation and caught. Straightening my back, I raised a hand to wave at Alice. Moments later, Ana joined her. The energetic little one tilted her head in confusion, wondering why Alice appeared to be talking to herself. 

My gaze softened as Anna followed Alice’s line of sight. Her lips formed a tiny “o” and she waved back. Then Alice whispered something to Anna, and the next second, both ran straight toward me. 

“Uncle Killian!” 

I greeted them with a casual two–finger salute. “Yo, you little troublemakers.” 

“We’re not troublemakers!” Alice pouted, crossing her arms. 

Anna stepped closer, tugging gently at the edge of my coat. Her wide eyes blinked innocently. 

“Why don’t you come visit our pack anymore, Uncle? Alice and I are still waiting to hear your dragon story!” she asked, full of excitement. 

Alice nudged her sister’s shoulder. “Uncle is a King. Of course he’s too busy to talk about a flying dragon.” 

“Oh, right,” Anna mumbled. 

The little girl’s head drooped, her lips jutting out in a visible pout. I was almost startled by how much Anna resembled Ruby whenever she sulked like this. 

Ruby might have changed physically over the years. But she was still herself. The old habits, the subtle body language, they hadn’t gone anywhere. 

And clearly, they had been passed down to her children. I placed a gentle hand on Anna’s head, softly ruffling her hair with 

affection. 

“I’m sorry,” I said, my voice low and careful. “Maybe I can try to find some time to play with you.” 

The twins responded in perfect unison, “REALLY?!” 

Alice launched herself at me, throwing her tiny arms around my waist. Anna followed close behind, copying her sister’s enthusiastic hug. They spoke over each other in turns, each demanding that I keep my promise. 

“We’ll be mad if you’re lying to us, Uncle!” 

I chuckled quietly. “I promise. I won’t let you down.” 

We stayed there, wrapped in our little bubble of warmth, until Alice, the clever little thing broke the moment with one of her sharp observations. 

wine. “Mom was super surprised. At first, we 

“Our house is full of gifts,” she said matter–of–flow 

how perched on thought it was for Christmas. But that didn’t m Successfully unlocked! 

Anna nodded beside her. “So we got curious and decided to investigate.” 

“And then we interrogated Uncle Leonidas!” Alice added triumphantly. 

“Uncle Leo?” I raised an eyebrow. 

1/4 

Der. Right, Anna?” 

Chapter 140 Chasing Her–Hope “Yup!” 

My brow furrowed deeply. I had no idea when Leonidas had dropped by, let alone visited Ruby’s house A few days ago, he did mention bumping into her at a café, but he never said anything about the twins being there 

“So what did Uncle Leo say, little troublemakers?” I asked, turning toward one of them. 

“He said you’re the one who sent all the presents!” Alice announced, arms folded with confidence 

“Oh! And you’re also the one who sent Mom the flowers!” Anna chimed in brightly 

I blinked slowly. That damn bastard, Leonidas and his big mouth. If Ruby ever found out, those gifts would vanish from the face of the earth. They wouldn’t last another day in that house. 

I wanted to lie to them. But the innocent light in their eyes, the way they seemed genuinely happy knowing I was the one who’d sent the gifts, made it impossible to deceive them. 

“Yes. They’re all from me,” I admitted at last.” 

“And the cradle for Elias. Was that you, too?” Alice asked. 

“Yes, sweetheart.” 

Anna followed with a slightly suspicious look in her eyes. “Why? I mean, I do love all the gifts, but… 

“Dad says we should be careful when someone gives us too much kindness, Alice interrupted softly. “So we’re still a little scared, Uncle… because of what Dad used to say about you.” 

‘How smart they are, I almost thought fondly. 

“Your father gave you good advice,” I said, gently. 

Then I slowly knelt down in front of the girls, so we were eye to eye. 

“But trust me when I say this my intentions are sincere. I knew your father. I made a promise to him… to take care of you both. That includes giving you small bits of happiness whenever I can, for you, and your baby brother, I continued. Alice and Anna exchanged glances, as if holding a silent conversation. Just then, I felt the presence of someone approaching. A woman, likely a teacher, walked toward us, her expression clouded with suspicion and her gaze sharp. “Excuse me, sir. May I ask what business you have here at the school?” she asked with a stern tone. 

I offered her a polite, practiced smile. “Oh, I’m just here to visit the twins. I’m a close friend and former colleague of Mikael Torrance.” 

“Are these Miss Alice and Miss Anna?” she asked. 

The twins quickly confirmed with synchronized nods. Still, the teacher didn’t lower her guard. 

She stepped in closer. “In the future, please report to the school office and sign the guest log before meeting with students. May I have your name?” 

“My apologies, miss. That was entirely my oversight,” I said as I stood up. “My name is Killian Rudiwick. May I have permission to speak with the children, if that’s allowed?” 

The teacher glanced between me and the girls. Only the twins‘ puppy–like pleading eyes seemed to sway her. 

“Fifteen minutes,” she said firmly. “And you are to remain on school grounds.” 

I thanked the teacher, then gently led the twins to sit on a bench beneath the tree. I leaned back against the trunk, unsure 

of how to position myself between them. But Alice didn’t give me much time to overthink it–she tugged on my hand and insisted I sit across from them at the small picnic table. 

“I’m glad you came to see us,” Anna said softly. 

“We’ve been really sad these past few months.” 

Alice nodded in agreement. “I feel the same way.” 

Then, without hesitation, she asked, “Did you cry when our dad died?” 

Every instinct screamed at me to say no. But I wasn’t about to lie to them–especially not if it meant hur 

more. 

“I did,” I replied quietly. 

Their gazes dropped to their laps. 

After a moment of silence, Alice–the quieter of the two–spoke again. 

“Sometimes… Mom cries at night. She thinks we don’t hear her. But we do.” 

Anna added quickly, “She doesn’t eat much either. She forgets. We remind her, but she still forgets.” 

“We know she’s pretending to be strong in front of us,” Alice said, fiddling with the hem of her uniform. 

iem even 

Chapter 140 Chasing Her Hope 

Once again, Mikael’s daughters caught me off guard. Children, I realized, often notice more than adults give them credit for Even I had underestimated just how sharp and observant young minds could be 

Alice’s lips trembled. “She works so hard. She does everything. And we try to help. However, we’re just not big enough “ My heart cracked at the sight of tears rolling down their cheeks. Their small hands gripped each other fightly Without thinking, I reached across the table and did what I could wiping away their fears with the sleeve of my cost and trying to comfort them with touch and presence. 

“It’s okay, little pumpkin. If you want to cry, go ahead. I’m here,” I said softly 

I’d faced warlords and monsters in my life. But this felt just as hard as any battlefield 

“I’m sorry.” I whispered at last, placing both hands gently on their shoulders. “Your mom is strong She’s doing everything she can because she loves you. That’s who she is.” 

“But she’s all alone, and that’s not fair,” Alice whispered. 

She looked up at me, her eyes puffy and red. “Can’t you help her?” 

I opened my mouth, then closed it again. I didn’t know how to answer honestly. 

So instead, I said, “I’m trying.” 

The bell rang, echoing through the air. The teacher had arrived to gather them. I stood there, watching as they ran back, glancing at me over their shoulders and waving. Smiles still lingered on their faces, even though their eyes were still slightly swollen. 

My feelings were a whirlwind as I watched them disappear from sight. 

I forced my legs to move away from the building, already halfway to the gate when I felt it. The scent hit me before the sound of her footsteps did. I turned to find the reincarnation of Ruby standing near the school’s stone archway, arms crossed and eyes blazing with fury. 

“You’ve been watching them?” she snapped. 

“I didn’t talk to them until they approached me, Rub–I mean, Rosalyn,” I replied in the flattest tone I could manage. 

“I don’t care who started it,” she barked. “You shouldn’t be hanging around them.” 

I met her gaze, letting the anger roll over me. “I just needed to see them. Nothing weird. You can ask them yourself.” 

“No. You just needed to feel better about yourself,” she fumed, stepping closer. “I appreciate your kindness in treating the twins well, but that doesn’t give you the right to be near them. Please, stay away.” 

“Rosalyn. I don’t mean any harm—” 

“What do you want, Killian?” she growled through clenched teeth, the sorrow and rage flashing in her eyes. “We’ve chosen different lives.” 

“I want to keep the promise I made to Mikael.” 

“Don’t bring him into this!” 

“I have to. He’s the reason I’m here,” 

I reached into my coat and pulled out the letter, carefully folded.“He wrote me before he died. You need to read it.” 

She looked at the letter like it might bite her. 

“You’re just trying to find a way back in again.” 

“No,” I denied, half–lying. “I’m trying to do one thing right.” 

A long silence stretched between us. Then, finally, she took the letter. 

“I’ll read it.” 

Her voice had softened slightly, tired now. “If you want to explain, meet me tomorrow at one. The café in the capital square.” 

I nodded, a flicker of hope rising in my chest. 

“I’ll be there.” 

“And until then,” she added, her voice hardening again, “you stay away from my house. You stay away from my children. Do you understand?” 

“As you wish, Rosalyn.” 

Her eyes held mine for a moment, full of a dozen unsaid things. Then she turned and walked away, the wind catching the edge of her coat. It seems like Leonidas’s plan was working, though not quite as I had expected. 

Could this be the beginning of something new?