Her Return, His Regret

"Ryan Kingsley's car entered the Davis mansion but it never came out until now," Jason's man reported on the phone.

Jason clenched his hand around the phone, his eyes flashing with anger. He had been trying to call Lora since the previous day, however, his calls went unanswered. It was like she was trying to avoid him. Luckily he had placed someone to watch over her, otherwise, he wouldn't have known she wasn't picking up her calls because she was with Ryan Kingsley.

"Keep me updated," Jason replied through gritted teeth before cutting the call and throwing his phone on the couch.

He hadn't had time to spend with Lora since the kidnapping incident since she was always with Ryan, taking care of him.

It was like he had already lost her to Ryan after he risked his life to save her...

"No, I'm not going to lose you to Ryan, Lora. I can lose everything but not you," Jason muttered to himself, a look of determination on his face.

...

Meanwhile, Ryan had booked the whole restaurant at the most prestigious hotel for privacy and security.

Lora looked around, frowning. She said, "You didn't have to book the whole thing."

"I didn't do it to show off... with Ivy out there, who knows what she might do? She can easily disguise herself as a guest and try to harm you guys. I promised not to let anyone harm you and I meant it," Ryan replied. Warmth spread through Lora's heart. She nodded and said, "You're right. We have to be extra careful."

They all sat in comfortable silence as the kids went through the menu.

Ella glanced at Ryan and demanded, "Daddy, I want ice cream."

"Anything you want-"

"No... it's too early for ice cream and it's very cold. Let her have a normal breakfast," Lora interrupted.

Ryan's stomach sank. It seemed he had a long way to learn how to take care of the kids. He thought it was ok to give Ella ice cream as long as she asked for it.

He smiled at Ella and remarked, "Mommy said no... choose something else instead. How about some eggs?"

Ella pouted but she nodded anyway. She replied, "I'll have some eggs, bacon and some beans."

Ryan nodded. He glanced at Ethan and asked, "And you Ethan? What would you like to have?"

"I'll just have pancakes," Ethan replied calmly.

Ryan called for the waiter and ordered the food for the children. He also ordered Lora's favourite food.

Lora frowned and said, "I thought I told you my taste has changed?"

"It only changed because you hated me... I know you still love this type of food," Ryan replied, smiling.

Since he had a stomach ache the previous day, he just ordered a bowl of soup.

When Ella saw how little Ryan was eating, she looked at him and frowned, "Daddy, why are you having only soup? Can you not afford more food? We can share mine."

Ryan laughed -but warmth spread

through him at his daughter's

concern. He reached over and stroked, Ella's hair before saying, "This is all that I can take right now. I'll eat more later... Don't worry, Daddy can afford plenty of food."

"Ok... you can eat lunch with us at home. Grandma is a great cook," Ella offered. "Her food is better than any restaurant."

Ryan's eyes lit up. He nodded quickly and responded, "I would love to-"

"Your father will be going back home, Ella. He can't have lunch with us at home," Lora interrupted, causing a lump to form in Ryan's throat.

"Why not?" Ella asked, looking at her mother. "Didn't Dad come to live with us? You even slept together last night."Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Lora almost choked on her juice. Her face blushed and she briefly met Ryan's amused eyes before replying, "He only stayed because he wasn't feeling well. But now that he's alright, he has to go back to his house." Ella glanced at Ryan and asked, "Are you feeling much better Daddy?"

Ryan placed the side of his fist to his mouth and coughed before saying, "I'm..." Cough. "Getting..." Cough. "There." Cough, cough. "But Daddy's stomach still aches."

Ella looked at her mother and pleaded, "But Daddy is not better, Mommy. Can't he stay with us another night?" Ella pleaded.

"But why do we have different houses?" Ethan asked, his eyebrows furrowed.

"Um..." Lora didn't know how to answer that question.

Seeing that, Ryan interrupted. He looked at the kids and said, "Ethan, Ella, in the past, I wronged your mother. Right now, I'm paying for t since you're all not by my side. But I promise to make it up to you and

?同

bring all of you home soon.

Ella was about to reply when Ethan beat her to it. He looked at Ryan seriously and remarked, "Mommy will forgive you if she's happy. I don't think you're doing your best, Daddy." "Ethan!" Lora scolded but Ryan let out a low laugh.

He nodded and replied, "You're right, son. I haven't done my best yet... but I'll keep trying until your mother forgives me."

Lora sighed but she didn't reply. Ryan was determined to win her over, so no matter what she said, he wouldn't stop until she agreed to return to him.

They continued to have their breakfast, chatting here and there. Ella especially kept talking about what she wanted to do with both her parents that day since it was during the weekend. When they were almost done with their meal, a tall man with sandy brown hair suddenly walked into the restaurant.

"Lora?"

Lora's heart jumped to her throat when she heard the familiar voice. She was about to turn around when Ella exclaimed, "Uncle Jason? Are you here for breakfast too?" Ryan frowned and narrowed his eyes at the man who had disturbed their family time. What was he playing at to show up there?

At the same time, Lora looked at Jason and uttered, "Jason... hi. I didn't expect to see you here."

Jason smiled and said, "It's a

surprise for me too... I came here for

breakfast but I was told the whole restaurant was booked by a big shot. wanted to see who it was so I came to check... I didn't expect it to be you guys."

"Uncle Jason, come and meet my Daddy. This is my Daddy," Ella excitedly remarked.

Jason got closer and glanced at Ryan whose face had darkened with irritation. He smiled and said, "Ryan Kingsley, I didn't expect you to be the twins' father."

"I didn't expect to see you here either... you're disrupting our family time," Ryan hissed, anger flaring through him.

"Well, since I'll be family soon too, it's only right that I join you for breakfast," Jason remarked, getting a chair and sitting next to Lora. "After all, I'll be the kids' stepfather soon."