Chapter 195

Isabella stood alone as Sophia had wandered off. She offered Abigail a small smile. "We're getting divorced."

Abigail had suspected as much. After all, Isabella had a daughter but had been living alone across from her all this time.

Not to mention, Isabella hadn't attended the last parent-teacher meeting. Instead, some stunning woman had shown up in her place.

Alexander surprised them both by initiating conversation. "Hello."

"Hello," Abigail replied cautiously.

"You two know each other?" His question was directed at Abigail, but his eyes never left Isabella.

Isabella remained silent, refusing to engage.

Abigail answered, "Isabella and I are neighbors."

Sensing the tension and noticing Isabella's disinterest in speaking with Alexander, Abigail quickly excused herself.

"You seem close with your new neighbor," Alexander remarked.

Isabella kept her eyes on her phone, scrolling absently.

Alexander didn't press further, but neither did he walk away.

Just then, Sophia came bounding back, and the parent-child activities were about to begin.

Isabella had participated in similar events during Sophia's first year of kindergarten. But after Alexander took Sophia abroad last year, she hadn't attended any since.

The first game was Musical Chairs.

The rules were simple: chairs arranged in a circle, two fewer than participating families. Parents had to carry their child while circling the chairs to music.

When the music stopped, they had to scramble for a seat. Each round eliminated families without chairs, until only one remained victorious.

Alexander turned to Isabella. "Do you want to do it, or should I?"

Before Isabella could respond, Sophia tugged at Alexander's sleeve excitedly. "Daddy should do it!"

Alexander looked to Isabella for confirmation.

"You do it," she agreed.

"Alright." He handed her his phone. "Then you can record it."

Isabella hesitated. "I'll use mine. I'll send you the video later."

Alexander took his phone back without argument. He scooped Sophia up effortlessly and joined the other parents by the chairs.

Isabella stood, opening her camera app and focusing on Alexander and Sophia.

Suddenly, Alexander glanced directly at the camera. He smiled - that devastating smile she knew too well.

Isabella's fingers tightened around her phone for just a second.

The music started. Alexander turned away, holding Sophia securely as he moved with the other parents.

After a couple rounds, the music cut off abruptly.

Alexander secured a chair with ease, Sophia giggling in his arms.

"We got one, Mommy!" Sophia waved excitedly.

"That's great," Isabella responded.

Truthfully, when she'd first seen the schedule, she'd assumed both Alexander and Sophia would find these school games tedious.

But Sophia had been thrilled from the moment Alexander lifted her. Now, with their success, she was practically vibrating with excitement.

Alexander chuckled at her reaction, then caught Isabella's eye.

At first, it had been obvious Alexander wasn't particularly invested. But the lively atmosphere, cheerful music, and competitive nature seemed to have drawn him in.

Now, he appeared fully engaged, actually enjoying himself.

His quick reflexes served him well. Round after round, he dominated effortlessly, ultimately claiming victory.