"We only have today and tomorrow. Just send her a legal notice first. If she doesn't respond, you appear in public tomorrow. I'll tell you all the facts about my relationship with her. My witness is Antony," the lawyer nodded in agreement.
Altezza then revealed everything from the beginning of their meeting. The woman's request for a secret marriage and her desire to have a child, which was rejected by her due to career issues.
"Would you mind if we make a clarification video? At least to tell the public that what I've stated is with your knowledge," the lawyer suggested.
"Is that necessary?" Altezza actually objected. He didn't want his face to be known publicly for something as negative as this. But the lawyer nodded. "I'll think about it. But please remember, I don't want my wife involved. Especially not to be accused as the third party."
Again, the lawyer nodded. Shortly after, he bid farewell. Altezza lay back in his chair, sighing heavily. His head throbbed painfully. This issue made him feel as if the weight of the entire world was on his shoulders.
Altezza suddenly smiled. How's his wife? Was she awake? Last night, she seemed so peaceful in her sleep. She looked so calm and beautiful. Once all of this was over, he had to apologize to her. Everything that happened was because of his mistakes. If only he could turn back time, he truly wanted to resolve all of these issues at their core so that she wouldn't bother him and their household anymore.
Altezza reached for his phone. Suddenly, he missed his wife so much. He glanced at his watch; it was past lunchtime. His wife must be awake by now. Altezza pressed his wife's number and initiated a video call.
A lovely smile always greeted him from his wife. "How are you, my wife, the mother of our children?" he asked.
"I'm fine. I just finished lunch. How about you? Have you had lunch?" she asked from a distance.
His wife's face looked so fresh and radiant. A rosy hue started to appear on her face, unlike yesterday when she looked pale. Altezza nodded in response to his wife's question.
"How are the twins? Are they mischievous?"
"No, they're very good. They also ate well. I'm embarrassed; I might end up finishing all the food stocks at Mamma's house."
"It's okay, just finish them. Mamma and Padre are wealthy, so they won't go bankrupt that quickly. Do you want anything? I feel like a soon-to-be husband who's being asked for a lot of things by his wife," he complained, making Adaline laugh.
"Other people don't want to be bothered by a wife craving strange things. Yet, you want it. You're strange. If I ask for fruits from the neighbor's garden guarded by a fierce dog, would you get them?"
"No problem. As long as you don't ask me to steal the neighbor's underwear, I'll do it."
"Why would I ask for that?" Adaline laughed again. "Aren't you busy?"
"Not too much. This is the perk of being born into a wealthy family. I'm free to do anything, anytime. While others work hard, I can sleep on a stack of papers, and no one would stop me," he replied casually.
Once again, Altezza's words made Adaline laugh. Her laughter brought a sense of joy to Altezza.
"Have you taken your vitamins?" Altezza asked attentively. Adaline nodded. "Get plenty of rest, eat healthy and delicious food. Don't worry about bankrupting my parents," Altezza emphasized.
"Yes, I will. I'll finish all the food in the kitchen."
"Great. That's my wife. Well, if you need anything, just let me know. I'll inform you before coming home."
"Okay."
"Don't miss me too much. If you do, hold it in for now. You can express your longing when I'm back home."
"Okay."
"Don't you want to give me a long-distance kiss?" Altezza saw his wife widen her eyes.
"Ugh.."
"Why 'ugh'? I'm craving a kiss from my wife. If you don't do it, I'll pout."
"The one pouting is the baby."
"Yes, if the baby's mom is craving but doesn't get it. But this is the baby's daddy craving. So, it's the baby's daddy pouting too. Come on, give the daddy of the kids a long-distance kiss." Altezza pushed his lips toward the screen. Adaline smiled shyly, but she finally gave Altezza a long-distance kiss. "Hmm... Suddenly my battery feels one hundred percent charged. Thank you, Mama of the kids. Daddy of the kids is going back to work to earn money and buy food for Grandma and Grandpa."
"Yes, Papa. Work hard."
"Yes, dear. See you later."
"See you."
Altezza pocketed his phone and stood up, still wearing a smile on his face. He truly felt calm now. At least, despite the problems he faced, he could still see his wife's soothing smile.
As they say, a husband's happiness lies in his wife's happiness. If the wife is gloomy, the entire household will be gloomy as well. But if the wife is happy, the house will be filled with joy.
Altezza returned to his oversized chair, attending to his tasks. He indeed had problems. But on the other hand, amidst those problems, he had thousands of backbone supporters who relied on his decisions. He couldn't just shirk his responsibilities.
Meanwhile, at Delila's residence, Adaline felt ashamed under her mother-in-law's gaze.
"So, that's how it is. When given a long-distance kiss, suddenly you feel cheerful. Your face suddenly flushes, the smile doesn't disappear. If only I knew, I would've asked Altezza to ask for long-distance kisses more often," Delila remarked.
"Mamma, come on..."
"Just bear with her. It's called being in love," Emma quipped mischievously. Emma and Violet had come to visit Delila's residence to check on Adaline.
"Yes, I can understand. After all, we got married without dating, so the sweetness of being in love only started to kick in later. I was young once too," Delila replied, chuckling.