CHAPTER 201: CHAPTER 200: LIFE REALLY DOES LOVE ITS IRONIES...

Arabella, of course, had other thoughts. She chimed in seriously, sounding far too grown-up for her size.

"Mom, I wasn’t lost."

Vivienne blinked and tilted her head. "Oh? Then what happened?"

Arabella shook her head seriously. Mom. I saw a lady wearing the exact same dress as you, so I followed her. I thought it was you! But then she turned around and I realized—oops, not my mom."

Vivienne blinked in mild disbelief, then let out a breathy laugh, a mixture of relief and exasperation. "Arabella, sweetheart... only you could turn a shopping trip into a grand adventure."

Rex, still quietly observing the mother-daughter exchange with amusement, couldn’t help but be charmed by Arabella’s earnest little explanation. Vivienne, catching his expression, gave a faint chuckle and nodded in gratitude once more.

"Truly... thank you," she said, her voice softer now, more heartfelt.

Just then, one of the suited bodyguards stepped forward and whispered something to Vivienne. She nodded slowly, face growing serious again.

"Also, I owe you an apology—for the guns. My men overreacted. They were just following orders. Arabella’s grandfather sent them out the moment he found out she was missing. When they saw the crowd and saw you holding her... they assumed the worst."

She gestured toward the line of black-clad guards. One of them, an older man with silver streaks in his hair and a build like a stone wall, stepped forward and bowed slightly.

"Captain Rouen," he introduced himself curtly. "I led the recovery detail. Please accept my sincerest apologies for our aggressive approach."

Rex gave him a dismissive wave. "No harm done. You were just doing your job."

Rouen’s eyes drifted to Victor and Kaalan, then back to Rex, expression subtly shifting with curiosity and caution.

Rex noticed and offered a small, knowing smirk. "Don’t worry. They’re with me. My bodyguards."

Rouen nodded respectfully. "Understood."

Just then, Rex’s phone buzzed to life in his pocket, its sudden vibration snapping through the final ripples of the tension.

He fished it out, glanced at the screen, and winced. "Seraphina."

A beat later, he answered, barely managing a greeting before a voice exploded through the speaker.

"REX! Do you even know what time it is?! Where the hell are you? Why aren’t you at the hotel yet? You promised you’d be back before lunch! Do you have any idea how worried—"

Rex flinched, holding the phone slightly away from his ear. The rapid-fire questions hit like bullets, each one more impatient than the last.

He smiled sheepishly at Vivienne, holding up a finger as if to say, Just a second, before stepping back a few paces.

"Hey, hey, relax," he said into the phone, voice calm and teasing. "I’m fine. Just... had a minor accident."

Silence.

Then, Seraphina’s voice dropped, dangerously calm.

"Define minor."

Rex glanced back at the wrecked car, the scattered crowd, the line of black-suited guards, and the police being held at bay like backup dancers.

He cleared his throat. "You know. LA-style minor. Bit of drama, bit of chaos, a lost kid, a drunken idiot, a convoy of armed guards... the usual."

Another silence.

Then, after a brief silence, Seraphina’s voice came again—quieter, more serious.

"Wait... are you okay? What happened? You’re not hurt, right?"

Rex blinked in surprise at the sudden change in tone. He smiled a little, softened.

"I’m fine, really. Just a little unexpected chaos. Nothing serious."

Only after that did she mutter, "I swear to god, Rex, if you’ve gotten yourself into trouble again, I’m going to shave your head in your sleep."

Rex chuckled. "Not this time. I think. Just wait till you hear the full story—it’s got action, mystery, a superhero cameo—and a very adorable sidekick, by the way."

There was a brief pause, and then Seraphina let out a reluctant sigh.

"Fine. Just... be careful, okay? You scared me for a second there."

That softened something in Rex. His smirk gentled.

"I know. I’m sorry. I’ll explain everything once I’m back."

"You’re insufferable."

"I try. Be there in twenty. Maybe thirty."

He ended the call and slid the phone back into his pocket with a long exhale. Turning back toward Vivienne and Arabella, he offered a small apologetic grin.

"Sorry about that. Overprotective friend."

Vivienne raised a brow but smiled faintly. "I think we both know how that feels today."

Rex laughed lightly. "Touché."

Arabella, still holding her mother’s hand, giggled. "You got scolded!"

He gave a dramatic sigh. "Yeah, yeah. I’m everyone’s favorite punching bag today."

He turned back to Vivienne and Arabella, a sheepish grin on his face. "I really have to get going," he said, nodding toward the phone in his pocket. "Already getting calls."

Vivienne smiled, her expression soft. "It’s okay. I should be the one thanking you."

Before Rex could respond, Arabella piped up in her sweet, innocent voice. "Uncle—"

He cut her off with mock horror. "Hey! I told you—call me brother. I’m only twenty, don’t go making me an uncle already! Unless you want to see me with a pot belly and bald head."

"Don’t go aging me before my time. What’s next—calling me Grandpa? Should I start shopping for walking canes and orthopedic shoes already?"

Arabella burst into laughter at the image, and even Vivienne chuckled, covering her mouth.

"Nooo!" Arabella giggled. "You have to stay handsome! I’ll call you Brother!"

Vivienne smiled warmly at their exchange, her gaze lingering on Arabella’s face—so bright, so full of joy. Seeing her daughter like that, laughing without fear, a tiny hand still clutched in Rex’s, made something ache in her chest. For a moment, it was like watching a glimpse of a life she had once dreamed of—simple, whole, and filled with warmth.

I’m sorry, baby, she thought silently, despite having everything—money, power, security—I still couldn’t give you a proper family. Just me. Always just me.

Her eyes drifted to Rex again, watching how effortlessly he connected with Arabella. The way she trusted him, clung to him, smiled at him like he was a safe haven. It was... bittersweet.

Life really does love its ironies...

(End of Chapter)