Chapter 34
Evelyn’s POV
“Look, mommy! Lions!” Alexis pressed her face against the glass enclosure, her powder blue dress matching perfectly with the boys’ light blue shirts.
“Can we see the pandas next?” Rowan asked eagerly, adjusting his navy suspenders.
“They’re this way,” I pointed, smiling as Rhys carefully held his twin’s hand, their matching outfits making them look even more identical than usual.
“Mom, I’m hungry,” Alexis announced, twirling in her ruffled dress.
“Perfect timing, sweetheart. I’ve made reservations at your favorite restaurant,” I said, admiring how the coordinated outfits made them look like they’d stepped out of a magazine. “The one with the chocolate fountain you all love p>
“Yes!” The children cheered in unison.
“But first,” I straightened Rowan’s collar, “let’s take some pictures by the fountain. You all look too adorable not to capture this moment p>
“Can we do silly faces?” Alexis suggested, making her brothers giggle.
What I hadn’t anticipated was running into Calvin dining with clients at the same restaurant.
Beside him was Clara, who had just been in a car accident yesterday. She wore a red dress paired with black heels, walking just behind Calvin as they entered.
Rowan and Rhys waved at their father. Alexis, whose hand I was holding, glanced briefly at Calvin before returning her attention to examining a stone on the ground.
I ignored them and continued walking with the children.
I had booked a quiet corner in a French restaurant with a small terrace that looked out over a neat garden. The kids were immediately drawn to the fountain in the middle and the soft lights hanging among the rose bushes.
I could feel Calvin watching me, but I kept my eyes on the children. I crouched down to talk to them, giving them a gentle smile.
I wore a dark blue dress. It was simple but nice. The dress fit me well – it looked good at my waist and legs. I didn’t try to look special, but the dress was pretty, and people could see that.
Later, the restaurant manager showed me security footage of an incident. Calvin had confronted a man who was secretly photographing me, even breaking the man’s wrist when he discovered the inappropriate nature of the photos.
“I’m Calvin Wolfe from Wolfe Haven International,” I heard him say on the video. “Those boys call her ’Mom’—so tell me, am I interfering where I shouldn’t p>
The video continued showing Clara rushing to catch up with Calvin, attempting to take his arm as he walked toward their private room.
I watched with no reaction, as if the people in the video were strangers.
My heart, long dormant, no longer fluctuated at the sight of Calvin with another woman.
I turned off my phone and returned it to my purse, continuing to enjoy dinner with the children.
“Mom, this is so delicious!” Rowan said with satisfaction, still making sure to serve food to me, Rhys, and noticing Alexis watching him with her bright eyes.
Rowan shook his head at her. “Little sister, you can’t eat this yet. When you’re a bit older, you can try it p>
Alexis nodded innocently and continued scooping her egg custard with her small spoon. “Brother, blow on it,” she requested.
Rowan immediately cooled her food before letting her eat.
Looking at my daughter’s adorable demeanor, my heart melted, bringing my thoughts back to the present moment.
“Alexis, be good and eat by yourself,” I encouraged.
The little one immediately scooped a large spoonful, blew on it, and gobbled it all down. She showed me the empty spoon. “Mom, look p>
I kissed her cheek. “My good girl is so clever p>
After praising my daughter, I served some meat and vegetables to Rowan. I looked at Rhys, who was gradually becoming closer to me, with complicated emotions before finally serving him too.
“You boys are wonderful too,” I told them.
After dinner, as I prepared to take the boys back to Calvin’s house, I spotted the black Maybach outside with Calvin standing beside it—and Clara at his side.
“Rowan, Rhys, come quickly,” she called out with deliberate sweetness. “Your dad and I are here to take you home p>
Calvin’s POV
I checked my watch as we pulled up to the upscale restaurant where I was meeting important business associates.
“You didn’t have to come,” I said to Clara, who sat beside me in the car. “You should be resting after your accident p>
“I’ve been cooped up for days,” she insisted, touching up her lipstick in her compact mirror. “Besides, I want to support you at these important meetings p>
That’s when I saw them,my sons and daughter with Evelyn.
The boys waved at me while Alexis barely acknowledged my presence before returning her attention to something on the ground.
Evelyn didn’t even look my way as she guided the children toward their VIP dining area.
I couldn’t help but watch her as she moved through the garden setting. The way her blue dress hugged her figure reminded me of a painting I’d seen in my grandfather’s study as a child.
Something elegant yet powerful.When she smiled down at our children, her tenderness was like water—flowing and natural.
From the corner of my eye, I caught someone taking photos of her. Without thinking, I seized the man’s wrist, squeezing until he winced in pain.
“Who the hell are you? Let go!” he protested.
I took his phone and saw what he’d been photographing—not full-body shots but zoomed-in images focusing on certain parts of her body.
The sheer disrespect made my wolf growl with fury.
“I’m Calvin Wolfe of Wolfe Haven International,” I stated coldly. “Those boys call her ’Mom’—so tell me, am I interfering where I shouldn’t p>
The man’s eyes widened in recognition and fear.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Wolfe! I didn’t know she was your wife. I just thought she looked beautiful. I won’t do it again p>
I fixed him with an icy stare. “Any backups p>
“No, absolutely not!” he frantically shook his head.
“Get out. And don’t ever look at her again,” I warned.
After the man scurried away, Clara’s honeyed voice broke through my thoughts.
“Calvin, have you reconciled with Evelyn?” Her question carried an unmistakable note of testing.
The word “reconcile” rolled around on my tongue before I buried it deep within me.
“No,” I stated firmly.
Clara’s eyes betrayed her delight despite her feigned surprise. “Then why did you just p>
“She’s the mother of my children,” I replied evenly.
“I see. Speaking of which, Rhys secretly told me last time that he wants me to be his mom,” she said, watching for my reaction.
My expression darkened. “Don’t say that again. They have a mother who loves them. That will never change p>
After dinner with my clients, I waited outside with the car to pick up my sons. Clara insisted on coming along, though I’d preferred she didn’t.
As Evelyn emerged with the children, Clara called out, “Rowan, Rhys, come quickly! Your dad and I are here to take you home p>
Clara’s attitude made my wolf angry. This wasn’t how I planned things to happen. I saw my ex-mate walking towards us with our sons. She kept her face calm, even though Clara was clearly trying to provoke her.