Chapter 23
Libbie continued with a bright smile, "Oh, by the way, my husband and my brother have been super busy starting a new business, so they're hardly ever home. But tonight, my husband is free. Why don't you come over for dinner? My baked fish is amazing, I promise you'll love it."
Caroline instinctively glanced at her phone. It was already 4:30 PM.
"Thanks for the invite, but I need to pick up my kids from school. I should get going."
She suddenly remembered something and added, "Does Rena need a ride too? I can pick her up since it's on my way."
"No worries, our housekeeper's already on it. She promised she'd be on time."
Libbie waved her flour-covered hand and brushed a stray lock of hair from her forehead with a smile. "Let's catch up another time."
Caroline hurriedly said her goodbyes and quickly headed downstairs with her bags.
The school entrance was already crowded with parents, and a line of cars from various brands stretched along the curb. An ice cream vendor weaved through the crowd, the sweet scent of ice cream wafting through the air.
As soon as Caroline parked her car, she spotted Layla and Logan holding hands, looking around for her with their little backpacks on.
"Mommy!" Layla, with her sharp eyes, saw her first and pulled Logan along as they ran towards her.
Their little shoes made a cheerful clattering sound on the ground, and the teddy bear keychain on Layla's backpack swung back and forth as they ran.
"Slow down, don't trip." Caroline opened the car door and met them halfway, almost losing her balance as the two little ones hugged her legs tightly.
The kids were especially energetic today, their eyes bright with excitement, clearly having had a great time.
"Mommy, we drew pictures at school today!" Layla proudly held up her drawing.
"That's wonderful, Layla. You're so talented." Caroline smiled and ruffled her hair, casually asking, "Did you make any new friends at school today?"
As she spoke, Caroline started the car, her real intention being to find out if the kids had apologized to Rena.
"Yes, we did!" Layla answered eagerly, her face full of excitement as she gestured animatedly. "We shared strawberry cake at lunch. Rena brought it, and it was so sweet. She said she can play the piano and promised to teach me 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.'"
Logan, sitting beside her, suddenly pouted and muttered, "I don't like Rena. She's always so quiet and talks so softly. It's no fun."
Caroline couldn't help but laugh. "Everyone has their own personality, and that's perfectly normal. You might find out you like Rena more if you spend more time with her."
Logan turned his face away, crossing his arms and muttering, "No way," but he didn't argue further, sneaking glances at Caroline to gauge her reaction.
As the car turned into the gated community where Isaac's house was, the kids were already unbuckling their seatbelts, whispering and giggling together.
Caroline had barely parked the car when the back door flew open, and the two little ones dashed out like wild ponies, their laughter echoing through the yard.
"Slow down, don't trip!" Caroline called out, shaking her head with a smile as she grabbed their backpacks and followed them.
The smile still lingered on her lips as she pushed open the ornate wooden door to the living room, the hinges creaking softly.
But as she took in the scene inside, her smile froze, and she stood rooted to the spot as if under a spell.
On the mahogany sofa, Isaac sat in the main seat, sipping tea. Next to him sat a woman in a white dress.
"Heidi?" Caroline couldn't help but call out.
Heidi's smile was gentle under the light. As she set down her teacup and stood, the hem of her white dress brushed the edge of the sofa, releasing a faint scent of gardenias.
"Caroline, it's been a while."
Her voice was as soft as cotton soaked in warm water. Her gaze shifted past Caroline to the two children who had just burst into the living room, her smile becoming genuine. "Layla, Logan, slow down."
Layla and Logan, like little birds returning to their nest, flew into Heidi's arms.
Layla looked up, her eyelashes still glistening with sweat from running. "Ms. White, why did it take you so long to come? Logan and I missed you so much."
Her sweet voice carried a hint of a whine, her little hand clutching Heidi's dress tightly.
Logan, unusually subdued, rested his chin on Heidi's arm and mumbled, "Yeah, it's been so long. Did you forget about us?"
Heidi knelt down, gently straightening their collars and brushing Logan's damp hair from his forehead. "How could I forget? I've been busy preparing for tomorrow's art exhibit. Can't you wait just one more day?"
She playfully stretched out her words, her eyes brimming with affection.
"No, we can't!" the kids chorused, making Heidi laugh softly.
"Are you surprised to see me?" Heidi teased, tapping Logan's nose.
Logan immediately lifted his chin, his face full of pride. "I knew you would come! Actually, it's because of me that you're here."
He puffed out his chest. "Praise me and give me a reward!"
"Logan!" Layla glanced at Caroline standing by the door. Seeing her calm expression, she quickly nudged her brother with her elbow and whispered, "Stop it."
Logan frowned, about to retort, but Layla's look silenced him.
Following Layla's gaze, he saw Caroline and pouted, burying his face back in Heidi's embrace.
Caroline stood there, feeling the coldness in her fingertips spread through her body.
So that's it. She finally understood why the kids were so excited today. It wasn't because they made new friends or received praise from their teacher. It was because they knew Heidi was coming.
All the laughter and bright eyes on the way home were because of another woman's arrival.
Her heart felt like it was being squeezed, making it hard to breathe.
Heidi seemed to remember Caroline's presence and turned, her smile still gentle. "Caroline, I'm sorry for dropping by unannounced."
She paused, then added as if explaining, "Mr. Windsor couldn't find his USB drive and thought it might be at home. He asked me to come look for it and bring it to him at work tomorrow."
Before Caroline could respond, Isaac set down his teacup with a thud. "This is ridiculous. Arthur not coming home for dinner is one thing, but now this?"