A Second Chance With My Billionaire Love

Thomas seemed eager to say more, but Marcus interjected with a gentle suggestion to the woman, Why not wait for me in the car? Melissa lingered momentarily, but then complied.

After her departure, Marcus shared a few words with Thomas.

When he rejoined Melissa in the car minutes later, she caught Thomass retreat to his black limousine from the corner of her eye.

Turning to Marcus, curiosity piqued, she inquired, What words were exchanged between you two? Starting the car with a subtle grin, Marcus replied, Nothing important! Despite his casual dismissal, Melissa remained skeptical.

Under the cloak of night, Thomas approached the Smith familys hall of mourning.

His black limousine came to a halt, its door opening to let him emerge.

He advanced toward the hall, his footsteps deliberate.

Surrounding him, white candles burned in silent tribute to the lost.

Without hesitation, Thomas made his way to the forefront and knelt, lighting incense in a solemn gesture.

He whispered into the stillness, Melissa carries new life, Weldon.

Shell soon bring another child into the Fowler fold. Be it a boy or girl, theyre destined for joy, cradled in Marcus love. Im contemplating perhaps we ought not to burden her with the Smith legacy. Claims of her ambition have been made, yet Marcus contends that her aspirations lie in the joys of home life-cooking, caring for pets, nurturing her children-Marcus, it seems, understands Melissas heart with clarity. Should guilt weigh upon us, we must allow her the freedom to choose her own path.

He then paid his respects to Weldons image with three solemn bows.

With Vanessas spirits waning, Thomas accepted his inevitable role at the helm of the Smiths, ready to embrace duties long evaded.

The candles cast a flickering glow as dawns light began to promise anew day.

Marcus and Melissa arrived at the villa as midnight was nigh.

Once the car was parked, Marcus eagerly phoned his parents to share the update.

Waylens enthusiasm bubbled over. He was set on dashing to Marcus

home for a celebration. Rena interjected with a pointed remark, though. Melissas his wife. Whats the celebration for you? Waylen snapped back, attributing her comment to envy.

If it werent for me, how would Marcus have come into this world, let alone Melissa carrying his child? Rena merely gave an eye roll in response and ascended the staircase with poise. Waylen, perplexed, hurried after her to probe, What was that look for? I need the truth, Rena.

Her response was nonchalant. If youve figured it out, why press for an answer?

Waylen, frustrated, demanded, Rena, I want a straight answer! Rena paused, a slight smile gracing her lips, and as Waylen joined her, she straightened his shirt, speaking softly, Im off to find a present for Melissa. And we might need to consider a new date for their wedding.

The thoughtfulness in her gesture warmed Waylen.

He tenderly held her face, planting a fervent kis before murmuring, Darling, thats incredibly thoughtful.

When Marcus and Melissa returned, the household staff greeted them, bubbling with congratulations.

In high spirits, Marcus generously rewarded each with a bonus.

Ascending the stairs, they were met with a surprise. The two children and Minnie the puppy were all wide-eyed and waiting.

The three little ones converged in the master bedroom, the children and Minnie aligning themselves in an orderly queue.

The moment the door swung open, Matthews excitement couldnt be contained. Hooray! A baby sister is on the way! he cheered.

Marcus swiftly scooped him up, ensuring a careful distance from Melissa.

Gentle now, buddy! Mommys carrying a little one.

Cradled in his fathers arms, Matthew peered at Melissas tummy, a blush coloring his cheeks. When will the baby sister arrive? he inquired with caution. i Marcus replied with gravity, Shell be here in about eight and a half months.

Matthews gaze lingered, full of wonder.

With a comforting hand, Marcus smoothed back Matthews hair. You and I will be bunkmates for now, letting Mommy and your sister get the rest they need, alright? Contemplating the arrival of his new sister, Matthew gave an earnest nod.

He was so taken with the idea that he offered his beloved Minnie to keep Melissa company. At night, when sleep evades me, I find comfort in the buttons on Minnies belly. Shes such good company, he confided.

Melissa, puzzled by his remark, looked to Marcus for clarification.

Buttons? Marcus, cheeks tinged with a sudden flush, clarified quickly, Hes referring to Minnies dress! But Matthew persisted, adamant. No! She has two rows of buttons on her belly, maybe six or eight.

Realization dawned on Melissa about the innocent observation.

The explanation, however, was not forthcoming to Matthew.

Yet, the confusion was short-lived as the topic soon slipped from the young boys mind.

Once the children were nestled in their beds, Marcus checked in on Melissa.

Fresh from the shower, Melissa donned comfortable pajamas and was absorbed in a pregnancy guide. Marcus, seating himself beside her, eyed the manual curiously. When did this come into our home? I never noticed it before.

Melissas voice was soft as she answered, Its been with me for quite some time.

Marcus playfully feigned shock, teasing, Have you been scheming our future for that long, Mrs. Fowler? Melissa couldnt help but roll her eyes at his remark.

booksbybunny s booksbybunny She countered, Youre the one who leaps at every chance, and now you dare to play the accuser? Marcus cast the book aside and leaned in, pressing his brow to hers,

whispering, Indeed, youve got me there, Mrs. Fowler. Yet, its your guileless gaze that undoes my restraint each time. Challenging for any man, wouldnt you agree? Melissa responded by tenderly caressing his cheek.

Her voice was light with jest. Well, to become a worthy partner of Mr.

Fowler, I must devote myself to work. I should claim my role in Heron swiftly, lest the dowry slips through our fingers.

Marcus met her tease with an unexpected earnestness.

He drew her close, sealing his pledge with a kis. Worry not.

Embrace your ambitions, honey. Post-delivery, Ill hold down the fort and rear our little ones. Should you wish, you can be the one to sustain us while chasing your dreams.

Melissa, taken aback by his words, questioned with a mix of surprise and skepticism, Really? I can hardly believe it! Marcus responded with a light-hearted laugh, What do you propose I do instead? Should I escort you to Heron myself? After holding his gaze for a moment, Melissa playfully nipped his

chin, emphasizing each word. Mr. Fowler, your craftiness seems to know no bounds. But dont think Im falling for it.

Amidst their playful banter, they both knew it was all in jest.

As sleepiness crept up on her, Melissas mind wandered to Minnie, who was nowhere to be found.

the button trick Matthew brought up? Marcus let out a soft laugh and replied with a hint of teasing in his tone, Tempting as it may be, Id wager the buttons wont help with sleep tonight. Remember,

his teasing admonition, Melissa could only

and Rena arrived early in the morning,

tonics for expecting mothers but

pointing out her tiny buttons. Hey, Grandpa, isnt Minnie just adorable? Waylen scooped up Minnie, agreeing, Oh yeah,

took Matthew and Yvonne for

up a storm in the kitchen, Leaving Rena and Melissa to share a heartfelt chat. Despite Melissa already being a mom, Rena gently shared her own

With the new baby coming, you might feel swamped. But Melissa, if you want to keep working, weve got your back.

Melissa was deeply moved.

As for the

belly, Melissa murmured, Once this little ones off to preschool, Ill only be thirty. Still

hesitated for a moment, but then

must really

Melissa grinned back.

grinned genuinely, a

resist, Rena remarked, You remind me so much of Edwins wife, Laura. Marcus and Edwin

Edwin and Marcus are tight. They

probably see more

quiet one, just like you.

in agreement, and Rena kept the chat going for a bit before they

Just then, Shawn arrived.

big bags filled with goodies from his

Shawns eyes widened. Hed never seen such a high-society lady from Duefron before. But he straightened up, not wanting to embarrass Melissa, and greeted

my mom that Melissas expecting again, so I brought

returned his smile. How considerate of you! Scratching his head, Shawn said, I hope shell like them. I know Ive been a bit of a hassle for

was practically family, Rena gave him a

were all family here. Its no

with two kids by

drifted to Roger. When Roger phoned, he spilled

Waylen felt torn.

pull off such

bring the past up again. So, Waylen

Waylen headed to the

mistook his dads footsteps for Melissas and scolded, What are you doing here? Didnt I say rest up and chat with Mom? Its rare you all see each other

Waylen loomed behind Marcus.

his hip, he pulled out

footsteps? Your wife

the stoves

one to

he? Marcus wasnt trying to deny it, so Waylen let out a relieved

got quirks, you have to respect that. You can throw cash to hush Shawn, but now his missus knows. How you going to smooth that over? Melissa hasnt got much kin left. The one blood relative she hads long

Shawns family issues to light early. There is

justifications. I

Marcus countered. Melissa isnt naive. She

to

about Roger? Hes a big-shot VP, and you got him doing some absurd task like that for you. Now that its out, you want to shuffle him off to the boonies. Listen up, Rogers got a family. You cant just toss him aside like

Marcus kept cooking, unfazed.

as president, he probably saw me as an easy mark, so he crossed some serious lines. He even raked in nearly two

Waylen was floored.

turned around slowly, a smile playing on his lips.

folks know

Waylen asked, Did you

didnt deny

Marcus a pat on the shoulder,

You can play hardball with others all you want but, with

I getit, Dad.

watched as Waylen

on a plate. It

baby she was

lunch, Janet arrived to visit her daughter Yvonne. Seeing Waylen and Rena there, she felt a bit awkward, thinking it might not be appropriate to dine together with

wrong with joining us?

chair for her fawningly

Janet didnt want to embarrass Melissa, so she

complimented her. You look stunning in

her lips

and Janet, felt ashamed. He turned to Rena, and jokingly said, Youngsters these days are unlike us. Hey, when was the last time you praised me? Rena served Waylen

up. Grandpas scared of Grandma. He listens

embarrassing topics again,

a chat planned with

clock in for work later, she exchanged a few words with Yvonne and took

wasnt ready to forgive him yet, refusing

Shawn trailed Janet to the villas gate. He watched her board a bus at the

was out of sight, Shawn decided hed leave after checking on his daughter, not

carved black gate, he came

are you doing here, Melissa? Its scorching out. What

Oh, its no

They strolled and talked.

asked, How come you and Marcus are suddenly tight? He handed you twenty million bucks without blinking. He doesnt dole out favors

Shawn got her drift.

beaded on his brow. Hed

confessed quietly,

be trapped one way or another. Even though Janet barely speaks to me now, shes got a life and shes happy. Yvonne and my mom are also living well. What more could I

stayed silent, taking it

a word but walked alongside Shawn back

by

then at Shawn. You better

around. ll stand by Janet. If I slip up again, lll be utterly

Melissa flashed a smile.

then

to work. Ill get you a Ferrari once Im

put, neither responding nor ignoring him as

kept his gaze

his face, delivering a self-inflicted slap. You let your daughter Live under someone

Marcus escorted Melissa inside.

depart, they couldnt resist a few parting words. With

scoffed. Youre good at taking care of folks. Look how youve looked

was a deeper meaning behind Waylens

Rena was in the dark,

car, Rena scolded Waylen for his

look after Julies kin. Remember how Julie cared for Matthew back then?