Chapter 20

Rudolf's POV
“Okay,” she replied, sensing the sincerity in me. Every promise I made was not just for Mikayla, but also for Emma and Daniel.
Now, it was time to face the days ahead with cooperation, hope, and love—this time, as a family.
After paying for Mikayla’s needs, we walked out of the store, the atmosphere outside feeling warm. However, Mikayla’s next words were like thunder in my heart.
“I’m sorry Rudolf, I don’t think I can accept you as the father of my children. You’re a call boy.”
The painful reality flashed quickly, and for a moment my mind flashed back to when she first introduced me to that identity. It was part of my past, but now I wanted to be more than just that label.
“Mikayla, that’s not who I am now. It’s just a part of the past that I’ve left behind. I want to be a better person for you and the children,” I said, trying to explain all my feelings. However, there was a tone of doubt that could not be hidden on her face.
“I know, but can we forget everything that happened? Go back to the relationship we had. How can I be sure that the past will not bother us?” she asked, but her eyes looked confused.
Suddenly, my secretary’s voice called out to me from a distance. “Sir, don’t you want to join them?” she asked, pointing to some coworkers who were busy chatting at a table near the beach.
Mikayla looked at me, the confusion on her face increasingly apparent.
As her eyes searched my face for answers, I could feel the pressure from two directions—on one side, there was the desire to protect her and the children, but on the other side, there was also the desire to connect with my coworkers.
“Just go, Rudolf. Maybe this is not the right moment for us,” Mikayla replied, keeping her distance and looking gloomy.
“Mikayla, wait!” I tried to grab her hand, but she pulled it back and seemed increasingly trapped between her doubts and my desire to be present in her life.
“If you want me there, that would change everything—I don’t want you to feel pressured,” I said, realizing how delicate the situation was. “But I also don’t want to push, if that makes you uncomfortable…”
My secretary nodded, seeming to sense the tension between us, but I knew I had to clear this with Mikayla first.
“I want to make sure you know that I’m serious. Everything we’ve been through has been worth it. I want to meet you not just as a call boy but as a man who cares for our children and our future,” I said, trying to convey my sincerity.
Mikayla fell silent. There was a battle between her desire to protect herself and her desire to give us a chance. She seemed to wonder what to do next.
“Join them, Rudolf. I hope you find what you’re looking for. Maybe we can talk about it later,” she said quietly as if giving me permission to leave.
Though my heart was heavy, I knew it was a step I needed to take—do I go back to my friends, or stay for her and the kids? As I thought, I took a deep breath, trying to figure out the best way to proceed.
“Mikayla, I love you. I’ve been looking for you, and I don’t want to lose you a second time,” I said sincerely, hoping that my words would break through the doubt in her heart.
She looked at me, still unsure, but with a glimmer of hope in her eyes.
“Who are you, really?” she asked, confusion still lingering in her mind.
“I… I’m a fashion CEO,” I said, trying to explain who I was so she wouldn’t misunderstand me. “That’s why I’m here and why I can do so much. But that identity can never replace my feelings for you and the kids.”
Mikayla fell silent, and I could feel her mind spinning. She began to process everything I had said, but at this point, our attention was diverted when Emma began to cry loudly from her stroller. The sound of her crying made the atmosphere even more tense.
Without hesitation, I moved closer to Emma, feeling my fatherly instincts kick in. “Hey, Emma. It’s me,” I said softly, trying to calm my little one. Mikayla watched from the corner of her eye, and as I gently held Emma’s hand, a sense of emotion washed over us.
“What hurts, honey?” I asked, trying to comfort Emma. I saw her rub her little eyes, and in an instant, this feeling of love flowed through me.
Her gaze reminded me of how abandonment and loss can happen so quickly, and how this presence is a new opportunity.
Mikayla slowly approached us, and as she watched me interact with Emma, a glimmer of hope appeared in her eyes. The power of this love, both for me and for the children, was guiding us toward a deeper bond.
“She probably just needs some attention, Rudolf. Nothing can replace a father’s presence at this moment,” Mikayla said softly, and I could hear her wanting to give it a chance.
Gently, I lifted Emma and cradled her in my lap. “Shhh, everything’s okay. Daddy’s here,” I said, rubbing my hand against her back. The atmosphere calmed with my gentle strokes, and the love made me feel connected to Mikayla and the children.
“Thank you for being here, Rudolf,” she said, tears blurring her vision again, but there was warmth in her gaze as she looked at us.
When Emma stopped crying, I turned my gaze to Mikayla. “Can this be a new beginning for us? I want to fight for you and for our children.”
Mikayla looked at me, and in her gaze, I could see that she was struggling with her decision. This was a crucial moment for both of us and with every heartbeat, I hoped that we could find a way to start the story we had begun without being distracted by the past.
“I just want to know who you really are. Not your profession, but are you not human?” she asked, and there was a clear look of concern on her face.
“What do you mean?” I replied, confused. This was getting complicated, and honesty was paramount.