"Mommy, are you going to come with us today too?" Leo asked, unable to hide the hope in his voice.
Xander, who had been quietly sipping his juice, glanced at Ivy as if waiting for her answer.
He did not mind her coming along to drop Leo at school. Her presence had clearly made the boy happy. But today was different. Today, Xander did not want her there, especially not when he was going to meet the principal.
Leo waited eagerly, his eyes fixed on Ivy. But before she could even open her mouth, Xander spoke.
"She is busy today."
The moment those words left his lips, Leo's smile faded, and the sparkle in his eyes dimmed.
Ivy had initially planned to decline anyway since she intended to meet Sal. But seeing how disheartened Leo looked when Xander answered on her behalf made her chest tighten.
This man really needs to learn how to be more empathetic toward his own son, she thought, silently fuming. Who responds in such a blunt tone?
