Chapter 160

Angela POV

My heart pounded as we stood outside Christopher's luxury apartment building.

After what felt like an eternity, the door swung open. David, Christopher's personal assistant, greeted me with a warm smile.

"Ms. Wilson." His tone was welcoming and familiar.

"David, is Christopher inside?" I asked, unable to mask the urgency in my voice.

"Mr. Blake is in the-" David's words died on his lips as his gaze shifted behind me, registering Sean's imposing presence. The friendly smile vanished instantly, replaced by a guarded expression.

I barely noticed the change, my mind entirely focused on finding my children. I pushed past David into the foyer, moving quickly across the marble floor.

Sean moved to follow, but David instinctively stepped forward to block his path.

"Sir, I'm not sure if-"

Sean's emerald eyes locked with David's, the intensity of his gaze so palpable it seemed to physically push the other man back. Without a single word spoken, David retreated, allowing Sean to enter.

The subtle aroma of polished wood and luxury enveloped me as I moved through the apartment. Then I heard it-Aria's distinctive laughter, bright and carefree, followed by a man's gentle voice.

I followed the sounds through the open glass doors leading to the terrace.

There they were.

Christopher sat in a plush outdoor chair, Aria perched on a cushioned bench beside him, her small face lit with delight. Ethan sat across from them, his posture characteristically more reserved.

The terrace table was adorned with an assortment of gourmet pastries and several expensive-looking toys.

Ethan noticed me first, his watchful eyes widening slightly. "Aria, Mama's here," he said, his voice measured and calm as always.

Aria's head whipped around, her curls bouncing as she spotted me. "Mama!" she squealed, leaping from her seat and racing toward me with outstretched arms.

I crouched down, enveloping her in a tight embrace, breathing in her familiar scent mingled with chocolate. Relief crashed over me in waves as I held her solid, warm body against mine. Ethan approached more slowly, but I reached out an arm to include him in our embrace.

"Angela, you're here," Christopher said, his voice gentle and untroubled.

I examined Aria's face, noting the chocolate smeared around her mouth. "Look at you," I said, attempting a light tone despite my still-pounding heart. "Eating like this, are you a little piggy?"

"Aria is not a little piggy!" she protested indignantly. "Piggies aren't pretty!"

Christopher approached us, his movements fluid and graceful as always.

"I'm sorry," he began, his tone genuinely apologetic. "I was passing by the school today and missed Ethan and Aria, so I decided to pick them up for a little while. I forgot to let you know. I hope I didn't cause you any trouble."

Before I could respond, Sean's voice cut through the air from behind me. "Not trouble-just hours of frantic searching."

I shot Sean a warning glance, silently pleading with him not to escalate the situation in front of the children. Christopher's expression flickered momentarily-a brief shadow crossing his features-before his composed mask returned.

"You were searching for that long?" Christopher's voice remained level. "I apologize for my oversight. It was truly careless of me."

"It's fine," I interjected quickly. "These things happen."

Christopher's gaze lingered on me before shifting to Sean, then back to me. "You haven't had dinner yet, have you? Why not stay and join us?"

"No need," I replied, forcing a smile. "I've already arranged food at home. Everything would go to waste if we stayed. Perhaps another time."

"Very well," Christopher nodded. "Let me have David drive you home, then."

"That won't be necessary," Sean interjected immediately, his tone brooking no argument. "I'll take them myself."

Christopher's eyes hardened as they met Sean's. "I wasn't asking you. I was asking Angela."

The tension between them was palpable, like static electricity charging the air. I stepped forward, placing myself subtly between them.

"Really, it's fine," I assured Christopher. "I can manage."

Christopher conceded with a graceful nod. "If you're sure. Be safe, and call me if you need anything."

"I will," I promised, already gathering the children's belongings.

As we prepared to leave, Christopher disappeared briefly, returning with two elegant gift bags. "These are for Aria and Ethan," he said, extending them toward me.

"No, I-" I began to refuse.

"Please," he insisted gently. "Aria has already accepted hers."

I glanced at my daughter, who was indeed clutching a small stuffed unicorn that hadn't been in her possession earlier. With a resigned nod, I accepted the bags.

As I took Aria's hand, preparing to leave, Sean unexpectedly bent down and scooped Ethan into his arms. The boy looked startled but didn't protest. For a moment, something passed between them-a look, a feeling-that made my heart constrict.

Christopher stood motionless on his terrace as we left, his expression carefully blank.

As I looked back at his solitary figure watching us leave, a storm of emotions churned within me.

Anger rose first - how could he take my children without telling me? - followed quickly by guilt for how harshly I'd treated him last week. Yet beneath these feelings lurked something else: fear.

If Christopher, who had always been so dependable, could do this... would it happen again?

Would someone else try to take my children next time?

The thought sent a chill through me as Sean and I carried my children away.