Chapter 196

Sophia sprinted toward Isabella, her tiny hand raised for a celebratory slap. "Mommy, we did it!"

Isabella met her palm with a gentle high-five. "Mm-hmm."

Alexander approached them casually. "Did you get the footage?"

"Right here." Isabella tapped her screen, sending the video file his way.

The next challenge was called the Unstoppable Hoop Relay. Four family teams would compete, each maneuvering a giant circular tape loop beneath their feet while advancing toward the finish line.

Alexander's gaze flicked to Isabella. "Your turn for this one?"

Sophia bounced on her toes. "Mommy's playing with me this round!"

Isabella adjusted her sunglasses. "Fine by me."

As participants gathered at the starting line, Isabella hesitated, fingers tightening around her purse strap.

Alexander extended his hand without comment.

"Thanks." She relinquished the bag.

For ordinary couples, this would be mundane. For them? Monumental. Isabella couldn't recall Alexander ever holding her belongings before. She wondered absently if he'd performed this small service for Victoria.

Dressed in a tailored black trench coat instead of his usual business attire, he looked incongruously at ease holding her designer handbag. To any observer, he might appear to be any devoted partner waiting for his significant other.

Isabella averted her eyes.

The game demanded precise coordination. Isabella positioned herself at the team's center, arms raised to guide the rotating hoop. Sophia clutched the back of her mother's coat, giggling as she struggled to match the rhythm.

When Sophia spotted Alexander filming, her excitement doubled. "Daddy!"

He stood slightly off-center, phone steady in his grip.

Isaware of his presence but kept her focus forward. Then Alexander's voice cut through the chatter. "Eyes on the hoop, princess. Match Mommy's timing."

"Okay!" Sophia chirped.

Unlike Isabella's stationary filming earlier, Alexander moved with them, walking backward while maintaining perfect framing.

The game concluded with their team victorious.

Sophia barreled into Alexander's legs. "Can we play again sometime? Please?"

His lips quirked. "We'll see."

Isabella reclaimed her bag just as a notification chimed. She glimpsed the video Alexander had sent but didn't open it.

Sophia was already clamoring to see the footage. Alexander surrendered his phone, then uncapped a water bottle and offered it to Isabella.

"Thanks." She drank, throat parched from shouting instructions.

As she recapped the bottle, Alexander asked, "What's next?"

Isabella arched a brow. The man had photographic memory. Yet...

Her fingers tightened around the plastic container. One didn't refuse basic courtesy after accepting it. "Ball Relay," she answered.

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