Twin Cupids at Work Daddy Come Home novel Chapter 430

Madeline shook her head, waiting for the sharp pain in her chest to fade. She pressed her hand over her heart and took a few slow, steady breaths. “I’m okay. I just need to use the restroom for a minute.”

She hurried out, barely looking back.

“Do you want me to come with you?” Brenda called after her.

“No, it’s fine.” Madeline was already gone.

Brenda watched her leave, worry etched all over her face. Noah and Oliver looked just as concerned, their eyes following Madeline until she disappeared.

Brenda leaned down to reassure them. “It’s alright, boys. Don’t worry yet.”

Meanwhile, Julian had just arrived at the restaurant. It didn’t take him long to spot the right room. He stopped outside the door, his hand hovering over the handle, hesitating. His eyes looked dark and empty, like he was afraid that everything he hoped for was just a dream, something that would vanish the second he reached for it.

After a couple of seconds, Julian finally gripped the handle and stepped inside.

Only Brenda and the two kids were there. The seat Madeline had left was empty. No sign of her anywhere.

Julian’s lips pulled into a tight, cold smile. Was he just imagining things again? Had she never really come back?

“Daddy?”

Both Oliver and Noah turned around, staring at him with wide eyes. “Daddy, why are you here? Are you going to eat with us?”

All the hope he’d built up crashed down in an instant, making his mood even worse. He couldn’t even think about food. He tried to swallow down the storm inside him, but it was almost more than he could take.

Julian glanced at the boys, his voice softer than he meant it to be. “I’m not hungry.”

Brenda studied Julian’s face and suddenly felt like she couldn’t breathe. There was something heavy in the air, so tense it almost made her shiver.

Was it really her? Or was his mind playing tricks on him again?

A rush of emotions hit him all at once. Without thinking, Julian stepped forward.

Madeline hadn’t expected to see him. As Julian came closer, she found she couldn’t move. It was like her feet were stuck to the floor.

His presence surrounded her, warm and overwhelming. Madeline’s heart skipped a beat as he looked down at her, his eyes never leaving hers.

Then, without a word, he reached out and pulled her into his arms, holding her tight.

He was really holding her.

He could feel it, solid and real.