Chapter 355

Serena’s POV

Early the next morning, we arrived the Science Museum again.

Milo had been fascinated with outer space since he was little. He was completely absorbed in the Space Technology exhibit, his eyes wide with wonder as if he'd been transported to another world. Stella, on the other hand, showed a deep interest in the Life Sciences section. She stood quietly in front of the DNA double helix model, her small finger gently tracing the information panel, seemingly committing every detail to memory. My twins—one captivated by the universe, the other immersed in the mysteries of life—each with their own passions.

I felt somewhat bored.

Benjamin occasionally exchanged a few words with Milo, while Stella would periodically look up at me with questioning eyes, as if checking whether I found the exhibits as interesting as she did. Each time, I'd respond with a gentle smile, though my thoughts had long since drifted elsewhere.

"Ugh, I don't like any of this stuff. It's so boring," a cutesy voice suddenly pierced through my thoughts.

I casually glanced up.

And then I saw her—the same girl from yesterday.

And beside her, arm in arm, was Mateo.

Mateo spotted me too.

His brows furrowed slightly.

I was equally speechless.

If we weren't going to see each other, fine, but when we did, it seemed to happen with alarming frequency.

It had been like this before, too.

I wondered if Washington was destined to be our mutual nightmare. How was it possible that in such a vast city, we kept running into each other?

"Aren't you the pretty lady from yesterday?" The girl recognized me instantly and asked enthusiastically, "Where are your handsome son and adorable daughter?"

Great.

Could I pretend not to know her?

When I didn't respond, the girl looked a bit embarrassed and said, "Don't you remember me?"

Could I just say I didn't want to engage?

"I guess it makes sense. You're so beautiful, and I'm so plain. How could you possibly remember me?" The girl laughed innocently, then introduced herself again. "We met yesterday in front of the bubble tea shop at the night market. You were waiting for someone outside, and so was I."

She smiled brightly at me.

At this point, maintaining a cold, distant demeanor would have been impolite.

I smiled lightly. "Yes, I remember."

"Really?" The girl's face lit up with joy. "I'm so happy that a beautiful woman like you remembers me."

I just smiled faintly.

Then I glanced at Mateo.

He stood beside the girl, watching me intently.

Was he afraid I might say something inappropriate?

Although I despised Mateo, I would never do anything explicitly immoral.

While I was conversing with the girl, Stella had somehow appeared at my side.

"Don't you think my boyfriend looks a lot like your son and daughter?" the girl asked excitedly, her gaze darting between Mateo and Stella.

My eyes flickered slightly.

I had only glanced at Mateo once, and she had noticed?

I had to admit, her emotional intelligence was impressive. She was clearly staking her claim, yet doing it with such tact that the situation didn't become awkward.

"Yes," I nodded.

"I told you they look alike! Mateo insisted they don't. By the way, where's your son? I assume you're here with both of them, right?" she continued.

"Over there," I pointed toward Milo, then gently stroked Stella's hair. "This is my daughter, Stella."

Stella nodded politely, but the wariness in her eyes remained unmistakable.

Milo was too engrossed in the exhibit to notice our conversation, but Benjamin, who was standing beside him, turned to look at us.

"Is that your husband?" The girl noticed Benjamin too. "He's so handsome. You two make a lovely couple."

"You two look good together as well," I replied.

I didn't want to explain further.

There was no need to clarify everything to strangers; whether they misunderstood or not was irrelevant.

At that moment, I felt a mocking gaze upon me.

I knew exactly what Mateo was thinking.

He was silently ridiculing me, implying I was fickle, juggling multiple relationships.

I couldn't care less about his opinion of me.

"Mom, can we go see the robotics demonstration over there?" Stella suddenly spoke up. Her voice was soft but remarkably firm. She seemed to have sensed my discomfort and wanted to extract me from this awkward situation.

I looked at my daughter, touched by the understanding and thoughtfulness in her eyes despite her young age. My heart warmed, and I nodded in agreement.

"Please excuse us. My daughter wants to see the robot exhibit," I said politely to the girl, then turned away, holding Stella's hand as we walked off.