Chapter 25

Mikayla's POV
He continued to eat his breakfast, and we chatted about various light topics. The conversation at the dinner table was warm, and I realized how important this simple moment was to rekindle our relationship.
“What about the kids? Are they awake yet?” I asked, wanting to shift our attention to Emma and Daniel.
“Not yet, but maybe I can meet them after breakfast. I want to see how they are today,” he replied.
“Yes, they must be very happy to see you again. Both Emma and Daniel seemed happy to be able to communicate a little in their language,” I replied with a small laugh, feeling joy in my heart.
After breakfast was over, I told Rudolf that I had to go to work. Usually, I would take Emma and Daniel to the cafe with me, but this time it felt different with Rudolf at home.
“Let me take care of the kids for a while. You can work in peace,” he said, with a genuine smile that made me feel more at ease.
“But…” I started to hesitate, but he nodded to assure me that he could do it. “Trust me, Mikayla. I want to be here for you.”
With a little hesitation, I finally agreed. “Okay, if you’re sure,” I said, feeling relieved and hopeful. Today I could work without thinking about the kids, for the first time.
As I made my way to the cafe, my thoughts were distracted by fear and excitement at the same time. When I arrived at work, my coworkers immediately greeted me. “Mikayla! Why aren’t your kids with you today? That’s so rare!” they asked, and I felt a little awkward.
In response, I said, “Oh, they stayed home today. Rudolf is coming to visit, so he’ll be looking after them while I work. I’m in the process of getting them used to having fun and feeling like a father figure.”
When I mentioned Rudolf, I felt mixed feelings in my chest, but I tried to keep my tone positive.
“Let’s see how he does,” my friend said with a smile. “It’s good that you’re starting to get help. Of course, we all need support, especially when dealing with children.”
“Yes, that’s right. I’m so grateful to have him here. I hope everything goes well,” I replied, though my heart was still feeling uneasy.
The day went by quickly, and as I worked, thoughts of Rudolf and the children filled my head. I hoped that he would be able to take care of everything, and maybe, this would bring a new step in our relationship.
When I got home, my two children greeted me with big smiles and warm hugs. They had showered, and looked fresh. Seeing them so happy made my heart flutter. Rudolf was there too, looking relaxed even though he had just looked after Emma and Daniel.
“Wow, you’re doing great looking after those two,” I said, giving Rudolf a sincere compliment. The doubts I had previously had slowly faded away as I watched their interaction.
“Thank you, Mikayla. They’re so cheerful and fun to look after,” Rudolf replied, seemingly pleased with my compliment. He didn’t expect to feel so close to the children after such a short time.
However, hearing his plan, my heart felt a little depressed. He said, “I have to go back to the city now because of some work. I’ll be back in three days.”
“Okay, Rudolf. Work is important,” I replied, although deep inside I felt mixed feelings. “I hope your business goes smoothly, and I’ll be looking forward to seeing you again.”
He nodded, and I could see the sincerity in his gaze. “Remember, I promised to always be there for you. Three days won’t be long,” he added, trying to reassure me.
“Yes, I know. We’ll arrange everything here,” I said with confidence. Although I was sad to see her go again, I understood that life does require a balance between work and family.
After saying goodbye and giving Rudolf a hug, she walked out, bringing positive impressions for the days ahead. It is always difficult to be apart for a while, but I realized that our journey had just begun.
I turned to Emma and Daniel, who were already getting ready to play. With gratitude and anticipation, I embraced them and promised to schedule a loving time when Rudolf returned.
As I was tidying up the house, my eyes suddenly fell on a wad of money neatly placed on the table. Beside it, there was a message written in Rudolf’s hand:
[Use this money for your needs for 3 days.]
My surprise was indescribable.
This much money?
I couldn’t believe what I had just seen.
It wasn’t just enough to last for three days, but for months!
“Wow…” I sighed, gently touching the bills, feeling the power of the amount in my hand.
One side of me was moved, and the other side was doubtful. Was this really true?
Rudolf’s kindness touched me.
He knew how hard my life was and helped us even though he was only gone for three days.
I felt both grateful and stunned—a mixture of gratitude and unease at receiving such a generous gift.
I carefully took the money and carried it to the kitchen. I wanted to use it for the essentials for the kids. I imagined buying more food, some new toys for Emma and Daniel, and maybe some necessities that had previously been a problem.
Soon, I started to track my expenses and plan what we could buy. Having a solid plan certainly helped me stick to a budget.
But in my heart, there was one question that couldn’t be avoided—was I really willing to accept all the kindness and help without feeling pressured? How could I rely on Rudolf when everything felt so new and complicated?
As I put the money away in a safe place, I was determined to prove that I could manage all this and take care of the kids well. With this money, I wanted to show that I was capable of standing on my own and not just relying on others, even Rudolf, for everything.