Chapter 31


    As Nathan, Hazel, and her kids left the school, Devin remained behind, his expression aplex mix


    of curiosity and confusion. The children had referred to their father by his name? A thought tugged at


    his mind-maybe he wasn’t their dad.


    Devin decided to head back to his office, his mind racing with questions. He grabbed his phone,


    intending to inform Axel about the situation he discovered.


    “Hey, Axel,” Devin began when his call connected. “I just observed something strange. The man with


    the twins’ mom, the former Luna, isn’t the kids father I don’t think she remarried. Did you know about


    this?”


    Axel’s response was somewhat dismissive, his tone uninterested. “So?”


    Axel however, persisted with his line of questioning. “What does it change? She was Luna, yes, but not


    anymore. The Alpha is remarried now. What does her rtionship status matter?”


    Axel seemed unfazed and offered a straightforward response. “But…,” Devin began to protest.


    Axel interrupted him with a stern tone. “But nothing. There’s nothing between the two of them, and the


    kids aren’t the Alpha’s either. Just do your work and quit getting involved in things that do not concern


    you!”


    With that, Axel abruptly ended the phone call, leaving Devin in a state of bewilderment.


    Devin remained perplexed by Axel’s dismissive tone. Although he knew that Axel was right, it changed


    nothing in their current situation, he couldn’t shake off the nagging feeling that there was something


    more to this. With a sigh, he decided to return to his office, where the sounds of kids ying and


    Meanwhile, Axel took it upon himself to provide an update to his boss, Ethan, who was seated in his


    office, contemting the recent turn of events. Axel entered the room with at respectful demeanor.


    “Starlight has signed a different contract today, sir,” Axel reported.


    Ethan’s interest was piqued. “Already?” he mused. “With whichpany?” he inquired further.


    “The new corporation called Gentle, Axel replied, adjusting his sses with a finger.


    Ethan paused, taking off his sses to better consider the information. “The same one I have shares


    in?” he asked.


    Axel nodded in confirmation. “Yes, sir.”


    Echan leaned back in his chair, contemting his next moves. “Well, that works for us. I’ve


    rays wanted to diversify into more areas, and I want Starlight,” he stated.


    Axel, sought rification: “Do you n to buy more shares?”


    Edhan nodded thoughtfully “Yes, but discreetly. 111 purchase shares and invest in bing


    for shareholder there. That will be all, he said, signaling his intention to act


    As if on cue, Ethan’s phone began to ring, interrupting their conversation. Axel stood silently, curious


    about the unfolding events and his boss’s underlying motivations.


    Nathan maneuvered his car into the bustling parking lot of the mall building. He unbuckled. the


    children, ensuring they were securely on their feet. Daisy, brimming with enthusiasm, eagerly linked her


    small arms with Hazel’s, forming a heartwarming tableau.


    The quartet attracted the attention of an observant elderly woman, who couldn’t resist. expressing her


    delight. With a warm and admiring smile, she eximed, “Oh my goodness, you guys are such a cute


    family.”


    Caught somewhat off-guard by the unexpectedpliment, Hazel hesitated for a moment before


    managing to respond, “Um…”


    Nathan, on the other hand, was quick to acknowledge the kind stranger’s words. He beamed


    appreciatively at her and said, “Thank you very much, ma’am.”


    With the mood lightened by the stranger’sment, the four of them delved into the task at hand –


    navigating the store to gather the items they needed. Nathan however not content with just ice cream,


    indulged the children with a selection of sweets that would make any dentist The sizes of the treats he


    selected earned him a look of disapproval from


    Hazenge


    who was concerned about the kids’ sugar intake. However, Nathan responded to her silent reproach


    with a mischievous smirk. Hazel, in response, couldn’t help but roll her eyes, though her heart warmed


    at the sight of the bond Nathan shared with her children.


    “Mommy look!” Liam’s excited voice rang out as they strolled past a delightful kiddie store. His small


    finger pointed enthusiastically at arge, impressive monster truck on disy.


    Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    “It’s the monster truck 02! All my friends at school have it!” Liam eximed, punctuating his words with


    a spirited little dance. During ytime, he had often watched his pals engage in thrilling truck


    adventures, yearning to join their exciting escapades.


    upon the


    Hazel approached the monster truck, only to be greeted by a gasp as her eyes. fell hefty price tag


    adorning it, a sum exceeding three thousand units of currency. Her initial delight faded as financial


    realities sank in.


    Observing his mother’s reaction, Liam’s perceptive nature kicked in, and he quickly changed his


    request, understanding that the monster truck might be beyond reach. “No, Mommy. Get me this one


    instead,” he suggested, pointing to a smaller, more affordable truck model.


    A warm smile spread across Hazel’s face as she affectionately ruffled Liam’s hair. It was evident that


    her son possessed both intelligence and empathy, qualities she cherished.


    Meanwhile, Nathan, the family’s silent observer, stood at a distance, keeping a watchful eye on the


    unfolding scene. He decided to excuse himself, saying, “You guys wait for me. I need. to use the


    bathroom,” and walked away, leaving Daisy contentedly gazing at the


    Joys.


    array of


    Hazel, now alone with Liam, considered the smaller toy her son had chosen. It brought some relief as


    she noticed it came with a significantly smaller price tag, one that wouldn’t strain their tight budget. Yet,


    her heart ached; she longed to provide her children with the very best, but she couldn’t


    Coupled with Daisy’s surgery underway which had added financial strain.


    “Okay, champ, Hazel said, her voice tinged with a hint of mncholy, as she tenderly stroked Liam’s


    head. He looked up at her, his smile radiant.


    Just then, a saleswoman approached them, offering an unexpected glimmer of hope. “Why don’t you


    consider those bigger toys instead?” she suggested, gesturing towards therger, more expensive


    options. Hazel managed a small, ufortable smile, her financial constraints weighing heavily on


    her.


    “It’s on promotion,” the saleswoman continued, her smile warm and genuine. “Currently, there’s a who


    p p i n g ny-five percent discount on those items. You’re the first to know about it; we’re just putting


    up the signs.”


    Hazel’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Wait, really?” she asked, her voice filled with hope and


    amazement.


    “Yes, and even that girl’s set over there,” the saleswoman added, pointing to the very dollhouse cook


    set that had caught Daisy’s eye. She had been ogling over it for long


    moments.


    elieve her


    “It’s all part of the discount for our seventh customer today.” Hazel couldn’t luck. The chance to provide


    her children with the toys they had dreamed of seemed almost too good to be true.


    “So, we can actually get those toys at such a huge discount?” Hazel inquired, her voice tinged with


    hope and disbelief. Her children were indeed in need of new toys, and the prospect of a substantial


    discount was music to her ears.


    The saleswoman nodded affirmatively once more, her friendly demeanor reassuring Hazel that this was


    no mere illusion but a genuine opportunity.


    Overwhelmed by the sudden stroke of luck, Hazel couldn’t contain her excitement, chuckling with


    delight. “Well, we’ll take those,” she eximed, determination and joy mingling in her voice.


    As she turned to head back to the shelf to swap out the toys, Liam couldn’t contain his curiosity and


    impatience. “What does she mean, Mommy?” he inquired, his young eyes brimming with curiosity.


    With a heartwarming smile, Hazel exined, “It means we’re getting your monster truck!” Liam’s joy


    knew no bounds as he ski p p e d and hopped about in exhration.


    Gratefully, Hazel returned the truck picking the more expensive one Liam wanted adding it into their


    cart then returning the small cheap one. She went to the next shelf asking Daisy to pick out one in the


    color she loved more.


    Meanwhile, Daisy, grabbed the toys refusing to drop them in the cart. She held them tightly in her arms,


    her eyes sparkling with anticipation.


    Hazel couldn’t help but feel a surge of happiness and contentment. The unexpected twist had made


    her feel not only fortunate but also fulfilled as a mother, knowing that her children would soon be


    enjoying the toys they had longed for.


    Noah rejoined the group shortly after his brief bathroom break, returning to find Hazel practically


    bubbling with excitement. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation as she couldn’t. contain the urge to share


    the incredible turn of events that had just unfolded.


    *Nathan, you wouldn’t believe what just happened!” Hazel eximed with fervor, her voiceced with


    enthusiasm. Sheunched into a vivid narrative, recounting the remarkable chain of events that had led


    to the unexpected acquisition of the coveted toys.


    walked attentively beside her, yed the role of the attentive audience. He listened


    to Hazel’s animated storytelling, his eyes locked onto her as she weaved the tale.


    In reality, Nathan hadn’t actually made a stop at the bathroom during his brief absence. Instead, he had


    engaged in a discreet conversation with the store manager, arranging for the purchase of the toys in


    question. He wanted the kids to have it without Hazel feeling ufortable or indebted to him. It was


    better this way. Looking at joy radiating off Hazel and the kids face, it was worth it.


    Finally, with their cart filled, they made their way to the checkout. Nathan insisted on paying for


    everything, including the extra ice cream and sweets, Hazel demanded for his details refunding the


    money for her shopping back. The ice cream and treats however were on Nathan.


    As they walked back to the car, Liam, holding Nathan’s hand, looked up and asked, “Nathan, can we


    do this again sometime?”


    Nathan ruffled Liam’s hair affectionately. “Of course, buddy. We can do it as often as possible”


    Hazel buckled the twins into their seats while Nathan offloaded everything into the trunk


    Then soon they were on their way home.


    The twins yed with their new toys for some time. Exhausted from their fun filled day they slept off


    slouching into their seats still clutching the toys.