The Billionaire Twins Need A New Mommy! - Chapter 500

Chapter 500: He, too, was far from home.
Once the meal ended, Lola watched as Atlas stepped away from the table to settle the bill. Usually, this task fell to his people—especially if Allen was present. It was like that back when they were in Novera, at least.

But today, he was the one speaking with the old grandma while everyone else finished their food.

“I wonder why…” Lola hummed, catching Allen’s attention. She met his eyes and sighed. “Allen, I didn’t get to ask earlier because Atlas was here, but… I think there’s a break in our routine since we set foot in this restaurant.”

She didn’t need to elaborate on what she meant by breaking routine. Allen smiled, already understanding her question.

“The owner of the restaurant…” He trailed off as he looked toward his boss and the old grandma. “She and her family were among the victims of those men who caused chaos during my boss’s early days as head of the Zorken family.”

He paused, recalling that horrible night, and sighed. “She lost her husband and her son that night. They fought the rebels off when those men tried dragging her granddaughter away as a hostage.”

Lola’s brows lifted. She followed Allen’s gaze and spotted the younger lady standing near Atlas and the grandma, a small smile on her face.

“They fought really hard,” Allen continued quietly. “But those rebels… they were once trained in the family. The granny’s husband and son didn’t stand a chance. Even so, because of those two, they saved not only their own family, but also many women and children who took shelter in this restaurant that night until our forces arrived.”

He pressed his lips into a thoughtful smile and glanced at Lola. “I thought the townsfolk would hate him for what happened, but no. My boss still surprises me, even after spending my entire youth and prime working for him.”

“The first thing he did, once the matter was settled, was provide a proper burial for the men he called heroes. He paid them respect and sat with the grieving family in silence,” he added softly. “He didn’t deflect, didn’t blame others, didn’t wash his hands of it. He didn’t even try to give them words of comfort. Instead, he took accountability. And sometimes, people just need to see a leader do that.”

“He didn’t just deal with those who challenged him. He stayed with the grieving family. He never left the town for months.” Allen drew a deep breath and shrugged. “He made sure everyone felt safe, and he let them grieve without financial burden. He used his own money to provide for everything.”

Sure, the Zorkens’ wealth could feed an entire town for years. But the family also carried massive expenses—research alone cost a fortune.

“Eventually, all his efforts paid off. He didn’t just win their hearts—he earned their respect.” Allen’s smile widened. “So whenever he visits town, people offer free meals or gifts. Not out of obligation, but because they know… he, too, is far from home.”

His eyes softened. “And the least they can do for the man who keeps everyone safe at night is make him feel this place can be just as warm as home.”

“That’s…” Lola’s heart warmed, her gaze drifting to her husband. “… touching.”

It had only been minutes since she last looked away, but now Atlas was returning, his arms full, carrying not just food containers from the granny but stacks of gifts piled higher than his own head.

A light chuckle escaped her. “Gosh. That man… that’s the man I married.”

Allen chuckled as well, nodding in agreement. His eyes followed his boss slowly walking toward their table.

“And that’s my boss,” he murmured with quiet pride. “I’ll never regret leaving my old life behind to work for a man like that. It’s an honor.”

*****

Once Atlas and the group left the restaurant, several bodyguards approached him to take the gifts he was carrying. Apparently, once word spread that he would be visiting, everyone sent their offerings to the granny so they wouldn’t bother him one by one.

Once his hands were finally free, a deep sigh left him.

“I told them not to bother,” he muttered, expression completely deadpan. “When would they ever listen?”

Lola giggled. “Atlas, I also have a gift for you.”

“Why?” He blinked. “It’s not my birthday.”

“Do you only receive gifts on your birthday?”

“Mhm. But recently, people keep sending me quite a lot.” He sighed again, glancing at the presents being loaded into the trunk. “How troublesome.”

Classic Atlas.

“Well, anyway,” she bit her lip, thinking about what she wanted to do later. “I’ll give it to you later.”

Her words immediately drew his attention back. His brows rose. “Give it to me now.”

“No.”

“I’ll be thinking about it the whole day.”

“Then think about it the whole day,” she grinned mischievously. “Besides, if I give it here, I don’t think you’d… hmm… want anyone else to see.”

Her suggestive tone made one of his brows lift. Slowly, the corner of his mouth curled up, as if he had suddenly found a very good reason to accept a non-birthday gift.

“So proud of you,” she hummed. “My Atlas is—”

Her voice cut off when something small moved at the edge of her vision. Lola turned her head slowly, lowering her gaze until she spotted a little girl.

A little girl wearing a flower crown.

A little girl smiling sweetly at Atlas.

“My Atlas~” the girl chimed, offering a small bunch of daisies.

Lola’s smile dropped instantly. “My Atlas?”

The girl glanced at Lola, and her smile vanished, replaced by a scowl.

Lola’s face twitched, and to her horror, Atlas walked straight to the child and knelt down to her level.

“Thank you,” he said, patting the girl’s head as she handed him the flowers.

Lola pressed her lips into a thin, unimpressed line.

I thought since Silo wouldn’t be around… I wouldn’t have to defend my territory, she thought, glaring at the child who was giving her a smug, taunting smile.

I guess I was wrong.