89. A Good Start

A few hours later, at 9:00 in the morning, Viviana finally woke up, feeling refreshed. Her baby daughter was already awake and had started crying. She breastfed her for a few minutes, and put some pillows around her tiny body to prevent her from falling off the bed. She rose from the bed and entered the bathroom in high spirits. She's home at last! After she finished in the bathroom, she picked up her daughter and left the room to find her ex-husband to greet him good morning. She was greeted by her maid outside the door. "Good morning, Madam." "I woke up late. I'm starving. Is breakfast ready?" Viviana asked. "Yes, Madam. Alpha Callum is already in the dining room, eating breakfast with his son Caden," the maid replied. "Ah, okay. Follow me," Viviana said, heading to the staircase, carrying her baby daughter in her arms, excited to join her ex-husband in the dining room. When she arrived there, the father and son had just finished eating and were about to leave the dining room. Viviana was disappointed. "Good morning, guys! I'm sorry I woke up late, I wasn't able to join you early for breakfast," she apologized sheepishly. Alpha Callum looked at her and nodded his head. "Eat your meal. I'll take our daughter with me to the living room," he said. He picked up his daughter from Viviana's arms and left the room with his son. Viviana sighed heavily the moment her ex-husband was out of the dining room. He gave her the cold treatment. It's obvious he doesn't like her presence in the house. She lowered herself into the chair, picked up the utensils and began eating. The maid entered the dining room. "Madam, do you want your usual hot coffee?" she offered. "Yes," Viviana replied, nodding her head. The maid took her leave and Viviana resumed eating her meal. She dreaded what her ex-husband would say to her later. The worst thing is that he might insist on renting a house for her so she can be out of his sight. She hopes she is wrong. A few minutes later, the maid returned with her coffee and she finished her breakfast on a full stomach. She left the dining room and joined her ex-husband on the sofa in the living room. Caden was playing with his sister nearby, watched over by the nannies. "Let's talk about your stay here," Alpha Callum addressed his ex-wife. Viviana sighed worriedly, fidgeting in her seat while meeting his penetrating gaze. "Um, yeah..." "What are your plans with your beachfront house that you accidentally torched to the ground?" Alpha Callum asked, his tone carrying a hint of accusation. Viviana bit her lip, preventing herself from saying something that she would regret later. "It was an accident. I didn't mean to burn my house down," she said, feeling guilty. "Okay, as you say so. So what's your plan? Are you going to construct another house on the same property? Or you will sell the land and buy another house in another place?" he asked directly, trying to get to the point, avoiding a prolonged conversation with her. Viviana scratched her head. She desperately wanted to tell him she would not buy another property. She would not construct a new house on her beachfront property because she wanted to stay in the mansion to be with him. But she was sure he wouldn't like hearing about them. "What's on your mind, Viviana? What are you thinking?" he asked, getting annoyed by her silence. She might as well tell him the truth, using their daughter's safety and well-being. "Um, can your daughter and I stay here in the mansion for a few months while I'm building my house again? I'm not planning to buy another house in another city. I want to build my house again from scratch, with a new design," she added. "OK. You and our daughter are allowed to stay here for a few months while the house is under construction," Alpha Callum finally said. He watched the way his son interacted with his baby sister. It looks like Caden would benefit greatly if he could see his sibling every day. It would create a close bond between the two children in the long run. His son would grow up to be his sister's protector. As for Viviana, their relationship will remain the same as an ex-couple for life. No need to change anything in their relationship. Anyway, they will stay in the same house for a few months only. Nothing more. Their current setup isn't bad at all. Viviana smiled as she followed her ex-husband's gaze. Caden was having fun bonding with his baby sister. It's a good sign; she can use it to her own advantage. If she works hard to cultivate Caden's trust and friendship, she could easily step into the role of his loving stepmother, providing genuine motherly love for him. When she and Caden are already close to each other, her ex-husband might no longer kick her out of the mansion if he sees the good influence she had on his son. It can't be denied that Caden still needs a mother's love during his growing up years, and she is willing to give him that as long as she can stay in the mansion for a long time. Eventually, she will gain entry into her ex-husband's heart in the long run. She has nothing to lose but everything to gain in the end. Alpha Callum stood up. "I'm going to my office to work on something. Stay with the kids," he said. "Copy, Alpha," Viviana replied cheerily. Her heart rejoiced when he instructed her to stay with the kids, which meant he had entrusted his most precious children to her care. Alpha Callum stood up, left the living room and proceeded to his office upstairs to start his day. Back in the living room, Viviana approached Caden. "Hello Caden," she said in a loving tone. Caden looked up at her and smiled. "Hello Auntie," he replied cheerily. "You like playing with your baby sister?" Viviana asked, ruffling Caden's hair. "Yeah, she is so cute and adorable! I like touching her chubby feet and arms," Caden replied merrily, eyes sparkling with innocent glee. Viviana smiled brightly. Pleased that Caden has a natural affinity for his sister. She can use Caden's affection to form a strong bond between them. Once Caden has already gotten used to their presence, Alpha Callum has no choice but to allow them to live in the mansion as long as she likes. Viviana smiled jubilantly. Her plan is slowly taking root, and she will reap the benefits one day. She spent the rest of her morning talking to Caden and also taking care of her baby daughter. The nannies are on standby nearby to assist her. After the fire, she finally experienced great relief. Burning down her expensive house was totally worth it! She has no regrets. A few minutes later, Beta Amir entered the house and passed by the living room, taking in the sight of Viviana talking to Caden. It's obvious she was trying hard to win the kid's affection. Viviana raised her head and caught Beta Amir's eyes. She nodded at him and smiled brightly. "Hi Amir!" Beta Amir smiled. "Good morning, Madam." "Your Alpha is in his office," Viviana said, dismissing him quickly because she didn't like the look she saw in his eyes, as if he saw through her actions. Maybe she was just overreacting because she was guilty. "OK, thanks for the info, Madam." Beta Amir nodded his head and climbed the stairs, heading to the second floor. When he arrived at the office, his boss was already checking the folder on his desk. "Good morning, Alpha!" "Morning," Alpha Callum replied. "I saw Madam Viviana taking care of the kids downstairs," Beta Amir commented. "Caden seems to like her presence in the house," he added casually. Alpha Callum raised a brow. "So?" Beta Amir shrugged. "Nothing. I just find the lovely scene downstairs very refreshing to look at. I think Caden will no longer feel sad because he has a sister to spend his time with and a mother figure to give him love and attention every day," he said nonchalantly. Alpha Callum fell silent for a moment, contemplating what he was going to say next. "Viviana is planning to erect a new house on her beachfront property anytime soon. She won't stay here for a long time," he said to correct him on his wrong assumption. "Alpha, what if Caden gets used to Viviana and your daughter's presence and begs you not to be separated from them anymore? What will you do, Alpha?" Beta Amir asked. Alpha Callum's eyes flickered momentarily. The question took him by surprise. He didn't think things would progress that fast between Viviana and his son. Beta Amir coughed a little. "Um, I realized that there's nothing bad about the current set-up because the boy needs a distraction and his little sister's presence in the house will surely help him cope with everything. The mother and daughter's presence in the house is good for his mental well-being," he said, finishing his statement on a good note. Alpha Callum nodded his head, agreeing with his assistant's rumblings. "You are right. Now let's get to work." Beta Amir was relieved that his boss didn't shut him off when he went overboard with his statement. He knew all too well why Viviana's house caught fire last night. She made it happen for a reason. He knows Luna Viviana is back to reclaim her rightful position. She is quite fast! She has already had an amazing start.