Divorced and Chased by My Alpha Billionaire Ex-Husband
Chapter 88: Daddy Lucas

Chapter 88: Daddy Lucas

They waited for what felt like hours, though Aurora never let her anxiety show.

She kept Aria entertained with stories and games, her focus on keeping the atmosphere light for her daughter.

Inside, she counted the minutes until she could see Leo again.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the surgeon emerged from the double doors, pulling off his mask with a relieved smile.

"Everything went perfectly," he said. "Leo’s in recovery now. You can see him soon."

Aurora exhaled a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding, her calm resolve softening into relief. "Thank you, Doctor."

When they were finally allowed into the recovery room, Leo was lying in bed, looking a little groggy but already grinning.

"Mommy!" he said, his voice slightly drowsy but filled with joy.

Aurora rushed to his side, gently brushing his hair back. "Hey, brave boy. How are you feeling?"

Leo blinked sleepily. "Like a superhero," he whispered, his eyelids heavy.

Aurora laughed softly. "That’s because you are one, sweetheart."

Aria clambered up on the bed beside him, careful not to disturb the wires. "You were so brave, Leo! And now we can get ice cream, right?"

Leo grinned at that. "Ice cream sounds great."

Aurora watched them both, her heart full.

She bent down and kissed each of their foreheads. "Yes, ice cream for my brave little warriors. You’ve earned it."

---

Two days had passed, and Leo’s recovery was nothing short of remarkable.

Aurora carefully guided him around the hospital room, holding his small hand as he took steady steps.

His mechanical heart had held up well after the surgery, and the doctor had been optimistic.

Though Leo’s little legs wobbled occasionally, his determination was evident.

Each time he made it across the room, his face lit up with pride.

The door creaked open, and the doctor entered with a warm smile.

"Leo’s doing great," he said, glancing at the charts. "If everything continues this way, we’ll be able to discharge him tomorrow."

Aurora returned the smile, relief washing over her. "Thank you, Doctor."

She looked down at Leo, who was beaming with accomplishment. "Hear that, Leo? You might be going home tomorrow."

Leo grinned wide, his eyes sparkling. "Home, Mommy? Can I have ice cream?"

Aurora chuckled, brushing a lock of hair from his forehead. "Of course, you can."

Later that afternoon, Leo and Aria sat by the hospital window, each happily enjoying bowls of ice cream.

Aria had a smudge of chocolate on her cheek, her giggles filling the room, while Leo, ever careful, balanced his spoon, trying not to make a mess.

Their innocent laughter brought a smile to Aurora’s face as she watched them, her heart full.

Just then, her phone buzzed. Ava’s name flashed across the screen.

Aurora stepped aside, answering the call.

"Hey, Ava," she greeted, her voice warm.

"Aurora," Ava’s voice carried that familiar tone of closeness. "How’s Leo doing? I’ve been thinking about him."

Aurora’s eyes softened as she glanced at Leo, who was now playfully teasing Aria with his spoon. "He’s doing really well. The doctor says he’ll be discharged tomorrow, if all goes well."

"Thank goodness," Ava sighed with relief. "That’s such good news."

Aurora nodded, though Ava couldn’t see her. "It really is. He’s stronger than I expected."

There was a brief pause before Ava’s voice shifted. "Aurora, I got a mail today."

Aurora’s brow furrowed slightly. "From who?"

Ava hesitated before speaking. "It’s from Lucas Rossi. He wants to meet with you... to discuss a potential project."

Aurora stiffened at the mention of his name, her heart clenching slightly. "Lucas? After all these years, now he wants to talk?"

"I wasn’t sure whether to tell you," Ava admitted, her voice careful. "But I thought it might be worth considering. You’ve been away from Sumturm City for five years, Aurora. Maybe it’s time to step back into the industry."

Aurora’s mind raced. Lucas. The man who had once been everything to her and then had walked away without explanation.

Her heart was pulled in different directions—anger, betrayal, and a lingering sense of hurt.

She glanced at her children. They were all she had focused on.

The idea of facing Lucas again, even for a professional reason, sent a ripple of unease through her.

"I don’t know if I want to get involved in that again, Ava," Aurora said, her voice tinged with hesitation. "Lucas and I... we can never be on good terms."

"I understand," Ava said gently. "But I thought you should know. You don’t have to decide right now."

Aurora sighed, her mind still reeling.

The call ended, leaving her standing there, caught between her past and the life she had built for herself now.

She stared out the window, her thoughts drifting back to all the unanswered questions that Lucas had left behind.

Why was he reaching out now?

"Mommy?" Aria’s small voice broke through her thoughts. "Where’s Uncle Derek? He said he was coming with us today."

Aurora smiled softly, grateful for the distraction. "Uncle Derek’s helping Mommy with something important, sweetie. But don’t worry. Once Leo’s better, we’ll go see him, okay?"

Aria brightened at that, her excitement evident. "Yay! I miss Uncle Derek!"

Leo joined in, his grin wide. "Will he take us for ice cream again?"

Aurora chuckled. "Maybe. We’ll see."

The children giggled, returning to their playful chatter.

As Aurora watched them, Aria suddenly turned to her with wide, innocent eyes. "Mommy, are you going to see Daddy?"

Aurora froze, her breath catching. "Daddy?" she repeated cautiously.

"Daddy Lucas," Leo said, his voice soft and sweet. "Auntie Ava said he wants to see you. You should go."

Aurora’s chest tightened.

The mere mention of Lucas from her children’s lips was like a delicate stab to her heart.

They didn’t understand.

They couldn’t know the hurt she had endured, the nights she had cried after she left.

She wanted to protect them from that.

"I don’t know, baby," she said quietly. "It’s... complicated."

Aria pouted, her lip trembling. "But Mommy, we want you to go. We love Daddy."

Leo grabbed her hand, his tiny fingers curling around hers. "Please, Mommy? For us?"

Aurora’s heart ached.

How could she explain the tangled mess of emotions Lucas had left behind?

How could she deny them when they spoke with such innocence, still too young to understand the history between their parents?

She looked into their hopeful faces, and for a moment, her resolve wavered.

Maybe it wasn’t just about Lucas. Maybe it was about confronting the past, for herself and for her children.

She owed it to them, to at least hear him out, even if only to find some closure.

Aurora sighed deeply, kissing both of their foreheads.

"Okay," she whispered, her voice barely above a breath. "I’ll meet with him. But only because you two asked so nicely."

The children cheered, their joy contagious, though Aurora couldn’t shake the knot in her chest.

As they hugged her, their innocent happiness easing some of her worry,

Aurora knew this meeting with Lucas would stir up old wounds. But for now, she held them close, their sweet faces reminding her why she had to be brave.