10
No one woke Wes and Nolan up in the mornings, nor did anyone nag them about homework.
The two boys did as they pleased around the house.
Addison and Reuben shared a bed each night, cuddling close.
If they overslept, Wes and Nolan would tease them.
Each time Wes and Nolan joked, Addison would blush and burrow into Reuben’s arms, fragile as a sparrow in a storm, making the man’s protective
instincts surge.
But soon enough, Reuben had to return to work, and Wes and Nolan to school.
‘Don’t worry, leave it all to me. It will be alright,” Addison said, smoothing Reuben’s tie before he left.
She pressed a soft kiss to his cheek like a real couple.
Remember to wake the boys and get them to school,” Reuben reminded her gently.
Addison nodded.
After seeing him off, she hadn’t even reached the boys’ room when Wes and Nolan came bounding out, already dressed.
They threw their arms around Addison’s legs.
“We got up by ourselves! Addy, we saw you kiss Daddy. We want one too!”
Addison squatted down, feigning helplessness, and kissed each on the forehead.
There. Happy now?”
Wes grinned and nodded.
Yep! Thanks, Addy!”
Nolan just hugged her tight and planted a smooch on her cheek.
“Let’s go to school! I wanna tell everyone in class I got a new, better mom!”
The boys clung to her hands as they walked to school, proudly introducing Addison as their “new mom” to every teacher and classmate they passed.
When the bell rang for class, they lingered, reluctant to let go.
Addison finally returned to the villa.
The moment she stepped inside, the gentle smile on her face melted into irritation.
“School starts so early, and they insisted I send them. I’ve been running around till now and haven’t even had a bite to eat!
“Still have to pick them up this afternoon. Couldn’t the nanny have handled this sort of thing?”
Addison kicked the table leg, snapping impatiently, “Hurry up and make me something to eat. I’m starving!”
At the shout, Chelsea Hansen, the nanny, scurried out of the kitchen, flustered.
After asking Addison what she wanted, Chelsea rushed back to prepare it. Soon enough, Addison took her first bite of the long-awaited meal.
But before she could savor it, Chelsea spoke up timidly, “Ms. O’Neal, it’s time to go pick up the boys. They’re having lunch at home today, then napping before going back to school.”
Addison scowled.
Doesn’t the school have a cafeteria?”
They do, but…”
Then why bother me?”
Addison slammed down her cutlery, clearly infuriated.
I just got back, and now I have to go out again? Don’t I deserve a break?”
<10
Chelsea fell silent, bowing her head as she gathered the dishes and retreated to the kitchen.
Addison lazed around the house all day, and it wasn’t until the afternoon that Chelsea approached her.
Addison glanced at her sideways.
“What now?”
“Ms. O’Neal, school’s out for the boys. It’s time to pick them up,” Chelsea reminded her.
Fine, fine. What a nuisance! Remember to cook the meal and say I made it, got it?”
Addison sat up, smoothed her clothes, and changed into an outfit she deemed appropriate.
Chelsea replied softly, “Yes, Ms. O’Neal.”
Addison headed for the school.
Wes and Nolan had only waited a short while when they spotted her approaching, dressed neatly, and their faces lit up with excitement.
“Addy!” they shouted, waving.
They also turned to their teacher.
“Look! This is our new mom, Addy!”
The teacher looked a little taken aback.”What about your mom?”
At the mention of Evelyn, Wes and Nolan’s moods soured.”She didn’t want us, but we didn’t want her either. Addy’s way
Addison, who had walked over by then, heard their words.
She gave the teacher a faint smile.
The boys are just fooling around. Evelyn had something to do, so I’m helping look after them for a bit.”
“Oh, I see. Mrs. Gregson always took such good care of Wes and Nolan before. I was confused how she’d just leave them.”
The teacher, unaware of the family’s turmoil, assumed Evelyn was simply swamped.
She didn’t notice the flicker of displeasure crossing Addison’s face at the mention of Evelyn.
Addison quickly made an excuse to take the boys home.
Inside, Chelsea had already prepared the meal, and the two kids’ eyes widened in delight.
“Addy, did you make all this? Wow! Our mom only ever made those gross ‘healthy’ meals,” Wes said.
Yep, Addy’s the best!” Nolan nodded and couldn’t wait to sit at the table.
Their schoolbags, shoes, and jackets were strewn across the floor.
Addison glanced at the mess and snapped at Chelsea in a low, icy voice.
“Are you blind? Clean that up.”
better.”
Mettur
The boys, oblivious, chimed in with laughter, “Dad pays you to serve us, don’t you know what to do? Come on! Even Addy has to tell you what to do!”
Chelsea knelt to gather the discarded clothes, saying nothing.
Just then, the villa door opened, and Reuben’s voice echoed.
“I could smell something amazing as soon as I walked in. Did you cook up a feast today?”
Addison turned her head and smiled.
I’ve been free at home and thought I’d better prepare something nicer for you all. It’s no big deal.”
