?Chapter 1268:


    “Then you’ll just push your kids and their mom even further away,” Jesse replied. “Even if you win in court, you’ll never win their love.”


    That hit Kevin hard. For a second, it felt like something in his chest cracked open.


    Truth was, he wasn’t even sure why he hade to take the kids in the first ce.


    The second he found out Donna had kept the pregnancy and raised them alone, he felt the need to find her. But when he saw how afraid she was of him—how distant—his first reaction had been to fight for the children. Now? Now he wasn’t sure if any of that made sense.


    His eyes clouded with emotions. He looked at Jesse and, after a moment, said quietly, “Thank you.”<fn058a> Discover more novels at </fn058a>


    Jesse remained silent and turned to go upstairs.


    Kevin called out, “Hold on a second.”


    Jesse paused. “Is there something else?”


    “I’d like to speak with Donna,” Kevin replied, his striking features as unreadable as ever, his voice as calm as still water. “Don’t worry—my intention is solely to discuss the children’s upbringing and education. I have no ns to ask for custody.”


    After mulling it over, Jesse gave a slow nod. “I’ll let her know.”


    Kevin responded with a low hum, then stood waiting on the ground floor.


    Jesse, agreement in hand, went upstairs and recounted the conversation to Donna.


    At the mention of Kevin wanting to speak with her, her first instinct was to decline.


    “If you don’t want to face him, I’ll go down and send him away,” Jesse offered without pressing, his tone light, not forceful.


    Donna hesitated, caught between resistance and reason.


    After a long, still moment, she finally said, “I’ll go down and speak with him.” This was a knot that needed untying sooner orter. Dodging it wouldn’t loosen the tension.


    Jerome looked at her anxiously. “Mommy…”


    “It’s alright,” she said, even though unease coiled tightly in her chest. “You three stay here. I’ll cook when Ie back.” With that, she walked downstairs.


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    Jerome’s face was overcast with concern.


    He turned to Jesse, his expression tangled with worry. “Do you think he really won’t hurt her?”


    “I don’t think he will,” Jesse answered with quiet certainty.


    He hadn’t met many people in his short life, but his gut seldom misjudged character.


    Kevin struck him as the type who—if he said no—meant it. And if he said yes, he’d stand by it.


    “I’ll make dinner for you guys,” Jerome announced, slipping on an apron like a pint-sized chef on a mission. “You two go watch TV.” Without waiting, he marched off to the kitchen.


    Nina blinked. “Huh?”


    Jesse was just as puzzled.


    Both of them stood there, confused.


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