Chapter 159

Chapter 159
Elena's POV

Children have less time to connect with nature these days. Perhaps this would be a good opportunity. An outdoor exploration in the forest is exactly what they need.

"So it's okay? We can go?" Max asked, his eyes shining with anticipation.

I nodded, feeling a genuine smile spread across my face. "Of course! It sounds like a wonderful activity. I'll prepare all the necessary equipment for you tonight."

"Mommy has to come too!" Lily chimed in, bouncing on her toes. "Teacher said parents need to accompany us. So you and Daddy both have to go."

My smile froze. The thought of spending an entire day with Richard after yesterday's confrontation made my stomach twist into knots.

"He definitely won't want to go with me," I thought bitterly. "Especially after our argument last night. He hasn't shown his face all day."

"Mom? You're coming, right?" Max's voice pulled me from my thoughts.

I forced my smile back. "We'll see, sweetie. Let me talk to your father first."

---

The small villa felt emptier than usual when I returned. Anna confirmed what I already knew—Richard hadn't come home, hadn't even called.

"He's probably avoiding me on purpose," I muttered under my breath as I set down my purse.

I turned to Anna, who was preparing dinner in the kitchen. "Anna, could you contact Richard? The children have a nature exploration activity at school tomorrow, and he needs to make arrangements."

Anna looked up from the vegetables she was chopping. "Aren't you going?"

"I heard it's a parent-child activity," I replied carefully.

Anna's knife paused mid-chop. "So why wouldn't you go?"

I let out a humorless laugh. "He won't want me there. It's fine—just have him take the children. I'll prepare their gear."

As I turned toward the stairs, Anna's hand caught my wrist.

"Ms. Winter, this isn't right," she said, her voice gentle but firm. "Your conflicts with Mr. Blackwood are adult matters. The children are innocent. Didn't you return to be with them?"

Her words hit me like a physical blow. She was right, of course.

"Mr. Blackwood won't stop you from going," Anna continued. "Pack your own gear too. You should all leave together in the morning."

I felt a lump forming in my throat. "I do want to go. They're my children. I don't want to miss a single moment of their growth."

"Then it's settled," Anna smiled, but soon she remembered my injury. "Ms. Winter, is your injury healed?"

"Yes, my recovery is much faster than average," I winked. "But can you keep it a secret for me?"

"I didn't hear anything just now," she winked back. We both laughed.

---

The next morning arrived with perfect weather for an outdoor excursion. I woke early to help the children dress in their exploration outfits—lightweight pants with reinforced knees, long-sleeved shirts to protect against scratches, and comfortable hiking boots.

"Anna, we're—" I began as we descended the stairs, then froze mid-sentence.

A silver SUV had just pulled into the driveway, and Richard was stepping out of the car, looking annoyingly handsome.

The children spotted him immediately. Their faces lit up. Lily broke away from me, running toward him with arms outstretched.

"Daddy's back! Daddy, have you come to join our activity?" she squealed.

Richard's stern expression softened as he caught his daughter mid-leap. The strong energy that surrounded him gentled, becoming almost tender.

"Yes, Dad's going with you," he said, his deep voice warm with affection.

"Yay!" Lily clapped her hands excitedly. "Now our whole family can go play together!"

Seeing Richard's mood seemed stable, without that night's intense anger, I cautiously took a step forward.

Then a female voice called from the car: "Richard, why did you go in alone? Come help me with this stuff! Seriously, you dump everything on me."

I froze, my face draining of color.

Emma emerged from the car, perfectly groomed despite the early hour, wearing an outfit that looked more appropriate for a fashion shoot than a forest expedition. She breezed into the yard with unearned familiarity.

"Oh, everyone's ready? Great! Max, Lily, Kathy, come on—I'll take you to the car," she called cheerfully.

My face must have turned even paler. This woman's intrusion—acting as if she had any right to my children.

"Sir, Ms. Wells?" Anna asked, her confusion evident.

Richard's expression hardened again. "I asked her to come with me. Three children need two adults, especially in a wilderness setting."

Throughout this exchange, he deliberately avoided looking at me, as if I were invisible. The deliberate snub stung more than I wanted to admit.

I turned to Anna, forcing my voice to remain steady. "Anna, please take the luggage and children over."

Anna hesitated. "But... this doesn't seem appropriate..."

"It's fine," I insisted, though my heart was breaking. "This was bound to happen sooner or later. It's just happening sooner than I expected."

Lily suddenly stomped her foot, her small face contorted with fury. "No! I don't want Emma! I want Mommy!"

She shot Emma a fierce glare, then wriggled out of her father's arms.

"Lily, come back here!" Richard commanded.

But Lily ignored him, racing to me and wrapping her arms around my legs. "Mommy, don't leave your baby behind! If Mommy's not going, Lily's not going either!" she wailed.

I knelt down to embrace her, my heart feeling like it was being shredded. The pain was almost physical.

"Don't cry, sweetie," I soothed, trying to keep my own emotions in check. "Mommy's right here. I'm not leaving. I'll wait for you at home, okay?"

"No!" Lily shook her head stubbornly, tears streaming down her cherubic face. "No!"

Max and Kathy quickly joined their sister, forming a protective circle around me. "We're not going either!" they declared in unison, their young voices filled with determination.

Richard's face darkened with anger, the air around him practically crackling with tension. He stepped forward, clearly ready to drag the children away if necessary.

Anna intervened before the situation could escalate further. "Sir," she suggested carefully, "since this is the case, why not take Ms. Winter along as well?"

"Dream on!" Richard said, his voice low and dangerous.

Anna persisted, her tone gentle but persuasive. "Sir! Today is special for the children. Taking one more person won't affect anything. With three children to care for, what's wrong with having Ms. Winter take one of them? Don't ruin the children's experience."

Emma, sensing the tension, stepped back diplomatically. "Anna's right. Let Max go with her mother. I can't handle that many children by myself anyway."

Richard's fury seemed to diminish slightly. He gave a curt nod, though his displeasure remained evident.

---

After fifteen tense minutes of negotiation, we finally split into two teams. Richard took Lily and Kathy in his vehicle, along with Emma and most of the exploration equipment. I took Max in a specialized off-road vehicle that one of the security guards had arranged for us.

"Mommy, I don't like Daddy anymore," Max declared as we drove through the morning traffic. "He's so mean. He didn't want you to come, and he brought that other lady instead."

My heart ached at his words, but I knew I had to guide him properly. "You shouldn't say that, sweetie. Daddy loves you very much. He brought Emma along today to help keep you all safe. You can't stop loving him for that."

Max's chubby face remained unhappy, but he didn't criticize his father again.