"Mommy! What took you so much time?

" Noah ran in her direction, hugging her legs.

The sudden attack made Sierra a bit imbalanced where subconsciously, her hands took the support of the nearby standing Charles to not let herself befallen.

"Uh...N-Noah...mommy would have fallen...

" she mumbled when she found herself again on her toes.

"But you have not...right?

"

Sierra lowered her eyes to look at her child, whose eyes were shining with excitement. Behind him, Ailey also came in her direction, running at speed to stand behind her brother.

"We were waiting for you..

"

"B-But I asked you to wait for me with Tia Aunt? Where is she?

"

Sierra's eyes moved to see her children when she hugged them closer to her heart. Lifting her gaze, she saw Tia running behind them to come closer to where they stood.

A guilty expression took over her face when she approached them,

"Sorry Sierra. I was looking after them but the moment I received a call, Noah climbed down from the car...

"

Hearing this, Sierra's eyed her son who appeared to be sorry for his actions. He only lowered his eyes in a bit of shame when he met with his mother's angry expressions.

"I..I.. thought..you..

"

"Still Noah, I told you that I will come when the time is right. Was there any need for you to run away like that?

" Sierra sounded a bit strict, little surprising for the man who sat behind her.

Coughing a bit, Charles gained her attention when Sierra turned around to find him still there.

"Oh- you were saying something!

"

"I wanted to say if you need any help...let me know about it..

" was all he spoke before he saw the two children, looking at him with suspicion and curiosity.

He could sense them having the urge to talk to him to whom their mother met.

In the same direction, Sierra saw their longingness where she felt an unknown force telling her to introduce the three of them.

The unknown urge was making her heart and brain go on a fight but she knew that it was needed, after all, for how long will she make them like this?

It was riskier, but on the second note, at least her children will have someone if something happens to her.

"Ahem...Noah, Ailey, he is uncle Charles. And..Charles...this is my daughter Ailey and...my son N-Noah.

" Sierra murmured with all the due courage that was present in her throat.

On hearing this, Charles nodded his head before his eyes swept across her two children. He bent down a bit on his knees to face them directly,

"Noah..Ailey.. you both have a nice name.

"

"Thank you, Uncle Charles!

" Ailey was the first one to answer with a sweet smile. Her smile was warming where Charles felt slight happiness lingering around him.

But the thought that this girl wasn't his daughter but Jack's and Sierra's turned his mood sour. The pang of dislike was hard but he can't resist these two children who have no idea what danger they might be lying inside.

"You both...have to live here very alertly. Don't try to disturb or give your mother unnecessary concern. She already has many things to deal with...for you both.

" Charles answered.

"We are good children, uncle. Our father always says that we shouldn't disturb our parents who earn and give everything.

" Hearing the praise for Jack from their mouths, made a fake chuckle leave Charles's lips.

He brought his hands around his head. Afterward, he simply rubbed the boy's hair,

"Your father is right...he taught you many things..hmm?

"

"My father is our idol. Not Only mind but also my sister's.!

" Noah proudly commented.

While Charles noted the shine that was present in those eyes when they talked about Jack. It was rare to witness.

Children's hearts are never filled with hatred, unlike his, whose heart craves to have their mother.

Unfortunately, he doesn't have the power to actually separate Sierra from her children. No, he can't...he doesn't have that heart.

"Um....you said that you needed to leave for the office. These are still your working hours.

" She mumbled to not let her children be too interactive with her ex-boyfriend. It was something she wasn't looking forward to seeing.

Charles simply gave a small nod before he bid goodbye to all of them.

Holding Noah and Ailey's hands, Sierra's heart sighed in relief that at least the man hadn't denied helping her. Moreover, for these two pumpkins of hers, he actually agreed to arrange a bodyguard.

But then, she felt her phone ringing again. This time, it was Jack, who called before she picked it up to answer,

"Hmm? You got free?

"

"You met Charles Johnson.

" she heard him say, not like any question but the fact.

Hearing the cold voice made Sierra bite her lower lip. She found it an extremely awkward situation to handle,

"Um...You aren't seeing..I..

"

"You did well. He can actually save you and our children. Don't worry, it is fine..

" She knew he isn't fine but he behaved this to be nothing but mere talk exchange.

Knowingly, her heartfelt sadness for this husband of hers. He was the most loving person one could want in their life. Unfortunately, she met Charles first and her heart always craved for him.

"I-It was only one time..

"

"Sierra...It's alright.

" She heard the same line again where She was at a loss for words. Looking down at her children, she only nodded to take a deep breath.

'C'mon...it is fine...he knows what I'm doing..' and for the safety of her children, she wasn't feeling discomfort even a little.

"I-I will talk once I reach home..

"

"Alright,'' Jack told but he never hung up. Neither did Sierra who waited for him to speak further since she knew that he wasn't done,

"Say it, Jack. What are you holding yourself from saying?

"

"I love you, Sierra.

"