Chapter 162

Angela POV

"Mommy."

Aria's voice startled me out of my thoughts. I turned to find her standing in the middle of our living room, her small face scrunched up in curiosity.

"Who taught you to say those things earlier?" I asked, moving away from the window.

She tilted her head, dark curls bouncing. "Nobody taught Aria, Mommy. It was Aria's own thinking. Mommy came home and went straight to the window to peek. Weren't you looking for Mr. Night?"

My cheeks warmed. "No, I was just closing the curtains."

"But I saw you open them a little bit to look outside," she insisted, her innocent eyes watching me carefully.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Aria, why are you contradicting me so much lately?"

"Mommy, Aria is just telling the truth," she replied with that childish logic that was impossible to argue with.

I knelt down to her level, meeting her eyes. "Aria, can you promise me something?"

Her eyes brightened. "What is it, Mommy?"

"When we're with Mr. Night, whatever I say is final. You can't contradict me in front of him, okay?"

Aria's expression changed to something more thoughtful than a five-year-old should be capable of. "Mommy, do you not like Mr. Night?"

"No, I don't," I answered firmly.

"Then... do you hate Mr. Night?"

I paused, choosing my words carefully. "Aria, there's a difference between not liking someone and hating them. Not liking means you don't want to spend time with that person, but hating means you feel very strong negative feelings toward them."

Aria absorbed this distinction with surprising focus. "Then play with Mr. Night, Mommy. He's really nice."

Exhaustion suddenly weighed on me. "Aria, why don't you go to your room for now? I'll call you when dinner's ready."

"So Mommy agrees to play with Mr. Night?" she asked hopefully.

"We'll see about that later."

"Okay!" With that simple acceptance, she skipped off to her room, content with my non-committal answer.

Later that night, after tucking both children into bed, I slipped under my own covers, desperately seeking sleep.

Instead, unbidden images of Sean filled my mind-Sean standing in his penthouse bathroom doorway, water droplets still clinging to his bare chest, the towel loosely wrapped around his waist.

Then my treacherous mind removed even that minimal covering, reconstructing his naked form with disturbing accuracy.

I turned over, burying my face in the pillow. What was wrong with me? For five years, I'd focused entirely on the twins and building my career. I hadn't thought about men or sex-there simply wasn't time or energy for such distractions. Yet now, with Sean back in my life, my body seemed to be reminding me of long-ignored needs.

"Stop it," I muttered to myself in the darkness. "I have two children to raise and a company to run. The last thing I need in my life is sex."

The next morning, I deliberately woke the children earlier than usual, hoping to avoid Sean by leaving before he arrived. We hurried through our morning routine, and I rushed them down to the lobby.

"Ms. Wilson, good morning."

Thomas Smith's polite greeting stopped me in my tracks. He stood near the entrance, and behind him, leaning against a sleek black car, was Sean.

"Ms. Wilson, I didn't expect you to come down so early," Thomas continued. "On our way here, I told Mr. Shaw we didn't need to arrive this early, but he insisted you would try to leave early. It seems Mr. Shaw knows you quite well."

I pressed my lips together, irritated that Sean had predicted my actions so accurately.

"Mr. Night!" Aria's excited cry echoed through the lobby as she broke free from my grasp and ran toward Sean. He crouched down, opening his arms to catch her as she launched herself at him.

Ethan remained by my side, watching the interaction with cautious eyes.

"Ms. Wilson, you and the children must not have had breakfast yet, coming down this early," Thomas observed.

Sean straightened, still holding Aria. "Let's go get breakfast."

I hesitated, looking for any excuse to decline.

"Ethan, come on," Sean said, extending his hand toward my son.

Ethan glanced up at me, uncertainty written across his features. He clearly wanted to go but was waiting for my permission.

"Mommy, Ethan, hurry up!" Aria called from the car where Sean had already secured her in a booster seat.

I placed a gentle hand on Ethan's shoulder. "Go ahead."

When he still hesitated, I added, "Your sister's already in the car. What are you worried about? We can't leave her alone."

Ethan nodded and walked toward the car, climbing in beside his sister while I reluctantly followed.

After a tense breakfast at an upscale café, we arrived at the children's school.

Aria hugged Sean goodbye with the same enthusiasm she'd shown earlier, while Ethan offered a more reserved farewell.

I watched them enter the building before turning back to find Sean studying me.

"Let me drive you to your office," he offered.

"That's not necessary," I replied coolly.

Sean raised an eyebrow. "You didn't drive here. Are you planning to walk to work?"

"How I get to work is none of your concern."

"Are you sure you don't want a ride?"

"Quite sure."

Thomas approached cautiously. "Mr. Shaw, there are several matters at the office requiring your attention..."

I turned away, already walking in the direction of the subway station.

"Ms. Wilson is heading toward the subway," I heard Thomas observe behind me.

"I can see that," Sean replied.

"Mr. Shaw," Thomas continued hesitantly, "since Ms. Wilson is going to the subway, perhaps we should return to the office? There are many urgent matters waiting-"

"Take me to the office," Sean cut him off.