Chapter 102
Before Irene could speak, Alex Krepped forward, chin raited. “Uncle Merm, I did it, he annoticed, positioning himself yestery
in front of his mother.
‘No way, it was me! Lucas contradicted, bouncing toward Adam with the energy of a human rather Hall.
“Lily kicked too!” The little girl refused to be left out, rushing to join the confession party.
Thomas watched from behind Adam’s wheelchair, failing miserably a hiding his amusement.
“Huh. Thomas tilted his head. “Most kids I know would be pointing Angers right now.” He gestured at the triplets. These three are practically fighting for the chance to get in trouble.”
Lily’s eyes widened, her little face suddenly serious. “That’s because Mommy did something wrong, and we have to admit it. We can’t let Mommy look bad!”
The bubble of protective lies burst instantly. Thomas’s smile froze as his gaze bounced from the children to frene, who looked like she’d just been caught shoplifting on camera.
Adam’s eyes found Irene’s, amusement dancing in their gray depths. Wait–you broke my window?”
Irene felt her face heat to nuclear levels. She opened her mouth, closed it, then tried again, resembling a particularly fashionable goldfish.
“That was… I mean…” She finally gave up and sighed. “Yeah. My bad.
Thomas snorted before clapping a hand over his mouth. “Dr. Sterling with the soccer skills. Who knew?”
“Getting your kids to cover for you?” Adam’s lips twitched. “And here I thought you were the responsible adult in the neighborhood.”
His lack of anger somehow made it worse. Irene’s embarrassment crystallized into indignation, her spine straightening.
“I was about to own up to it,” she replied, chin lifting. “Just send me the bill when you know the damage.” She turned sharply, tossing over her shoulder, “You’ll have your money by tonight.”
She marched back toward her villa with all the dignity she could scrape together, feeling the heat of her blush practically radiating
off her face.
Lily watched her mother’s retreat, bottom lip quivering I didn’t mean to tell,” she whispered.
“Yes, you did!” Alex and Lucas chorused, exchanging the long–suffering look of brothers with a sister who couldn’t keep secrets.
Dismissing her brothers with a princess–worthy eye roll, Lily darted back for the soccer ball, then presented it to Adam with hopeful
eyes.
“Uncle Adam, wanna play ball with us?” She bounced on her toes. “We’ll be super careful this time!
Lucas jumped in, seeing opportunity. “Yeah! Mom always says sitting all day is bad for you. We need to move around!” He patted his small stomach importantly. “It’s called lay–bore and relax–ation together.”
“He means work–life balance,” Alex corrected with the weary patience of an old professor. “Physical activity promotes optimal
health.”
All three children gazed up at Adam with identical hopeful expressions, unwilling to waste this perfect chance to spend time with
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Chapter 102
their “uncle (who was actually their father a secret they knew and carefully guarded from the adults).
Adam studied their eager faces, then nodded. “Lucas makes a good point. Let’s do some… what was it? Lay–bore and relax–ation.
Their cheers echoed across the lawn as Thomas watched, wondering when exactly his intimidating boss had become so easily swayed by a trio of five–year–olds.
Irene slammed her front door and leaned against it, as IT physical barriers could keep her embarrassment outside.
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