His Mistress is His Ex-Wife
Chapter 23: Children

Chapter 23: Children

[ Lanny’s Condo Unit... ]

"Mama!" exclaimed a charming four-year-old girl, her short straight blonde hair and blue eyes adding to her cuteness as she dashed towards Lanny. Upon reaching her spot, the little girl hugged her leg.

"Careful, baby. Mama is cooking," Lanny gently cautioned, setting down the ladle before leaning over to reciprocate the hug from her daughter, Kimmy. "Where is your brother?"

"He is sitting on the front door like a street child asking for alms," Kimmy responded in her innocent tone.

Lanny giggled before pinching the tip of her daughter’s nose. "He is waiting, not seeking alms. You naughty girl."

"Mama, can I ask a question?"

"You are already asking, my princess."

Kimmy just stuck her tongue out at her mother, making Lanny giggle once more.

"I overheard our new nanny talking to our bodyguards. She asked them if Aaron and I were really twins. She’s surprised because she mentioned that we look different – our hair colors and our eyes. Why don’t we look the same, Mama?" Kimmy inquired, catching Lanny off guard.

Taking a moment to gather her thoughts, Lanny gently stroked Kimmy’s hair and explained, "That’s because you’re fraternal twins. It’s not necessary for you to look the same."

"Oh, I get it!" Kimmy exclaimed, flipping her fingers. "I look like you, while Aaron looks like our father. Am I right, Mama?"

"Yeah, that’s right," Lanny replied with a faint smile, her gaze shifting from her daughter to where Aaron was. ’There are secrets we must conceal. You are both too young to understand it. Time will come... we will reveal the truth,’ she contemplated silently within herself.

Meanwhile, a cute young boy with spectacles sat on the front doorstep, his gray eyes filled with anticipation. With small hands resting on his lap, the boy’s gaze periodically shifted toward the driveway, eagerly awaiting someone’s arrival.

As he sat there patiently, the soft breeze played with his hair, creating an aura of innocence and warmth. "Sigh. It’s getting late. The streets are filled with bad guys. Aunt Athena should be home soon."

’I should’ve requested Uncle Vlad to pick her up,’ the boy pouted as the idea crossed his mind.

Soon, the gentle creak of the front gate signaled Athena’s arrival. Aaron immediately stood up from his spot.

With a gleeful shout, he rushed towards Athena, his small feet making quick steps across the floor. "Aunt Athena! Aunt Athena!" he exclaimed, his eyes shining with joy.

Athena, tired but visibly delighted by the enthusiastic welcome, knelt down to meet the child at eye level. Embracing him, she ruffled his hair affectionately. "Hey there, little buddy! Did you miss me?" she asked with a warm smile.

Aaron nodded vigorously. "Where have you been the whole day?"

Moved by the concern in Aaron’s gaze, Athena tenderly caressed his small cheeks. "I met my best friend, someone I haven’t seen for years. We did some catching up. Next time, I’ll introduce you to him," she explained.

"I’d love to meet Aunt’s best friend!" Aaron cheerfully said, holding Athena’s hand.

Athena giggled softly as she stood up. "Alright. It’s cold outside. Let’s go. I got your favorite dessert. Let’s share them with Kimmy and your mother after dinner."

"Thanks, Aunt! You’re the best!"

As Aaron and Athena stepped into the house, Kimmy tugged on Lanny’s arm once more, whispering, "Mama, do you think my brother has multiple personalities?"

"Eh? Why do you ask?" Lanny inquired, her curiosity piqued by her daughter’s unusual question.

"Haven’t you noticed, Mama? When he’s with Aunt Athena, he acts warm and innocent. But when he’s with Uncle Vlad and others, he becomes all mature and cold," Kimmy expressed her honest observation about her brother’s behavior.

Lanny just smiled awkwardly. ’Uhm, Maybe he inherits his father’s attitude.’

"Kimmy. Haven’t you noticed as well? You are also like that. Your personality changes often." Lanny playfully pinched her two fluffy cheeks.

"Ouch! Mama... let go of my poor little cheeks," she complained.

Lanny’s laughter filled the air as she gently patted Kimmy’s cheeks. "There you go, sweetheart. Enjoy some time playing with your brother and Aunt Athena. I’ll just finish cooking this so that we can have our dinner."

Kimmy’s eyes lit up with excitement. "Okay, Mama! Take your time."

*An hour later...*

After sharing a delightful dinner together, Lanny and Athena guided the children into their beds. Lanny tucked the blankets snugly around the children, ensuring they felt comfortable and secure.

Athena, standing beside her, offered a reassuring smile to the sleepy-eyed youngsters. The children eventually fell asleep.

Lanny and Athena exchanged a contented glance before leaving the room.

"Lanny, I appreciate your love and care for my son, treating him as if he were your own. We owe you a lot."

"Hey, don’t mention it." Lanny nudged Athena’s shoulder. "You and Aaron saved my life. If not for him, my father would never acknowledge me... He wants a grandson... an heir."

Lanny, Athena, and Gael were the only people who knew the truth. Aaron was Sabrina’s son with Dominique while Kimmy was Lanny’s daughter with Enzo.

Both of them had given birth at the hospital owned by Gael’s family. With Gael’s assistance, they manipulated the children’s hospital records, making everyone believe that the two children were fraternal twins.

Two months after giving birth to Kimmy, Lanny and Sabrina returned to Country M, getting the protection of Miguel Ivankov, Lanny’s father. Thinking that Aaron was his grandson, Miguel officially accepted Lanny as part of the Ivankov Clan.

"Honestly, I feel bad about this... I know it must be hard for you as his mother... instead of calling you Mommy... he addresses you as Aunt." Lanny’s expression was saddened by that thought.

However, Athena put on a faint smile. "It’s fine. This is also my way of protecting him. I don’t want to admit it but Aaron is a spitting image of his father. I prefer to keep them from crossing paths. Fortunately, he is now an Ivankov. Dominique will never learn Aaron’s existence."

"Don’t worry, Athena. We will tell Aaron the truth... once he is old enough to understand everything." Lanny hugged Athena to console her.

"I know. I’m not in a rush. Besides, I am still on my quest for revenge. I don’t want my son to get involved in this fight."