Felix, meanwhile, was Cole in miniature. Quiet. Observant. Calm. When someone tried to entertain him, he would give a polite little grin, and when left to his own devices, he would simply inspect his toes. He never cried, never fussed—just drifted in his own gentle world.

And so the morning unfolded: Elliana and Cole talking softly, Sunny and Jeff competing over Beatrice’s attention, and Felix happily playing with his feet.

Peace lasted—until Sunny and Jeff erupted again. The argument began because Sunny wanted to carry Beatrice to chase butterflies, but Jeff refused to let her go.

After a round of back-and-forth, Sunny snapped, “Why are you always blocking me? Why do you keep stealing my fiancée’s attention?”

Fiancée? Jeff’s eyebrows shot up. Irritation mixed with disbelief. He snorted. “Take a look at yourself. What makes you think Beatrice would ever marry you? Quit dreaming.”

Sunny planted his hands on his hips. “Why can’t you just talk nicely to me? Why do you keep ruining my happiness with my fiancée? Go find yourself a girl, and then you won’t spend all day picking fights with me.”

Cole’s patience was hanging by a thread. Hearing someone call his daughter “fiancée” again and again made his blood pressure spike. It felt like thieves were plotting right in front of him.

“Both of you—out. Now!” he thundered.

Sunny and Jeff froze.

Cole’s expression was pitch-black. “If you don’t disappear right this moment, I’m tossing you into the lake.”

Sunny and Jeff didn’t need to be told twice—they bolted instantly. Cole had thrown them in before, so they knew better than to test him.

The garden finally quieted, and Cole’s mood lifted instantly. Elliana stifled a laugh. Watching him quarrel with little kids every day never failed to amuse her.

“Elliana, shouldn’t we talk about our marriage?” Cole asked all of a sudden.

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She blinked. Marriage? They already had twins—why bring that up? Then, it hit her. After their divorce, they had never legally remarried. Despite living together again, despite their children, they weren’t husband and wife on paper.

Cole flashed a hopeful smile. “How about we pick a date to tie the knot?”

This tugged up an old memory—the day he had forced her to sign the divorce papers. She had begged him not to do it. He hadn’t listened. His face had been cold, his words colder. It still stung when she thought about it. She knew he had divorced her to protect her, but the way he did it… She hadn’t forgotten.

“I think things are fine the way they are,” she said calmly.

Cole stared at her. “But we aren’t married. Doesn’t that feel strange?”

Elliana shrugged lightly. “Strange how? This way, we’re both free. Maybe we’ll break up again—you never know. At least we won’t need another divorce.”

Cole fell silent. He could tell she was still mad about him forcing the divorce back then. And she had every right to be angry with him.

He straightened a little, putting on his softest, sweetest voice. “I was wrong back then. I’ll accept any punishment you give me. Just tell me what I need to do to earn your forgiveness.”

Elliana glanced at him, noting the sincerity in his eyes. A playful spark lit her face. “I signed those papers under pressure. If I just marry you again without anything to show for it, don’t I look foolish?”

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