Chapter 445 Accidental Kiss
"Daddy..." The moment Ethan heard Nate's voice, his heart inexplicably began to race. Something about these twin brothers stirred feelings within him he couldn't quite explain.
Why did he feel so drawn to them?
"Ready, set, go!" the teacher called out.
Ethan took off with Nate on his back, following the designated path. Nate wasn't idle—his little hands quickly gathered colored balls along the way. Despite dropping a few, they collected half a basket full. From the sidelines, Andy watched critically.
"Nate's useless," Andy muttered.
Ashley gently scolded him, "Andy, he's your brother. You shouldn't put him down like that."
Andy merely huffed, "I'm just stating facts."
When Ethan returned with Nate, having heard this exchange, they combined their collections—two large baskets filled to the brim.
"Daddy... I mean, Uncle," Nate exclaimed excitedly, "Was I good?"
Andy scoffed, "I clearly collected more balls than you did."
Nate blinked hopefully at Ethan. "So who was better, Uncle? Me or my brother?"
Both boys looked up at Ethan expectantly.
Ethan knelt down and tenderly ruffled their hair. "You're both incredible," he said warmly. "Not only did you collect the most balls, but you're also turning into fine young men. One day you'll be protecting your mother, won't you?"
His gaze drifted meaningfully toward Ashley.
Ashley, watching the three of them bonding, felt a wave of emotions. His last words and the intimate look he gave her left her uncertain how to respond.
Nate thumped his chest proudly. "Of course! I'm Mommy's guardian angel—I'll always protect her."
"Totti!" Mary approached with Angela in tow, offering Ashley a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
Ashley smiled back politely and moved a short distance away with the twins.
Mary took Ethan's arm, whispering, "Why are you carrying someone else's child? Angela's heartbroken."
Ethan had completely forgotten he was here for the father-daughter event with his little sister. How had his mind become so consumed with the twins and Ashley?
"I'm sorry," he told Angela, patting her head. "I'll be with you for the next game."
"Okay," she nodded.
The brothers watched their father walking away, their brief moment of happiness fading as quickly as it had come.
Ashley stroked the boys' heads affectionately. "Come on, sweethearts. The next game is about to start."
"Okay."
Atticus hurried over, panting. "Pearl, I swear Ethan deliberately timed this to carry Andy and Nate. Do you think he knows something?"
Ashley shook her head. "Judging by his behavior, he doesn't even remember my name. I doubt it."
The second event was a jump rope competition—mothers turning the rope while fathers jumped with children on their backs.
Paired off, Ethan carried Angela while Atticus carried Andy. The silent rivalry between the two men was palpable.
"Begin!" the teacher called.
As the rope swung, both men jumped with determination. While other parents tired after a few dozen jumps, these two kept going, clearing two hundred jumps and showing no signs of stopping.
The children bounced uncomfortably on their backs.
"You can stop if you need to," Andy told Atticus, concerned.
"I can keep going," Atticus replied between labored breaths.
Angela complained to Ethan, "I feel sick."
Ethan, barely winded, replied, "Just a bit longer. Look—he's already breathing hard. His stamina's giving out."
Atticus, hearing Ethan's comment about his endurance, felt his masculine pride wounded.
Determined to save face, Atticus continued jumping despite his reddened complexion and gasping breaths.
Angela and Andy shared looks of resignation. Why were they caught in this testosterone-fueled contest?
"Gentlemen," the teacher intervened, "you've both completed over five hundred jumps. Remember, participation is what matters. You can stop now."
Atticus glanced at Ethan, his eyes saying, "You first."
Ethan raised an eyebrow in challenge. "No, you first."
This pair had attracted a crowd of parents and children, fascinated by their endurance. Ashley watched nervously from the sidelines.
"Atticus, winning isn't important," she called out. "Please stop before you hurt yourself."
Something about hearing Ashley speak Atticus's name so tenderly sparked an inexplicable anger in Ethan.
Completely drenched in sweat, Atticus finally couldn't continue. "Stop!" he gasped.
Ethan stopped jumping as well, his rope falling still.
Ashley rushed forward, one hand supporting Atticus, the other reaching for dizzy Andy. Suddenly, Atticus swayed and began to collapse. Standing beside him with Andy in her arms, Ashley couldn't react in time. She screamed as she began falling with him.
In a flash, Ethan lunged forward. With one arm, he pulled Ashley and Andy clear; with the other, he pushed Atticus toward the crowd, shouting, "Get him to a hospital!"
The force of his movement, combined with Ashley's unsteady footing, sent them tumbling to the ground.
Just before impact, Ethan grabbed Ashley's shoulders and twisted, taking the full force of the fall himself. Ashley landed on top of him with Andy still in her arms. The violent collision brought their lips together in an accidental kiss.
The unexpected contact left them both wide-eyed and hearts racing, yet neither pulled away immediately.
Sandwiched between them, Andy glanced up to see his mom and dad kissing. He covered his eyes with his small hands.
'Whoa,' he thought, 'This is definitely not for kids. Why am I stuck in the middle of your romantic moment?'
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