"Yes," Alexa murmured.
Alexander's joy leaped, bursting from the confines of his chest.
His arms spread open and enclosed around his daughter.
"Thank you, Alexa…"
Alexa returned his tight embrace and smiled. "Dad, we all heard what you said just now."
The words caught Alexander by surprise. He turned to Axel and Ryan. The boys were stiff, standing with uncharacteristic awkwardness.
Alexander never imagined that they would accept him because of what they had heard.
Axel felt Alexander's gaze on him and became embarrassed. Hiding behind stubbornness, he said, "Did you say that on purpose? You must have known we would hear you."
Seeing the boy desperately try to cover up his own shyness by putting Alexander on the spot, he couldn't help but retaliate.
"Maybe."
"What? Shouldn't you be denying it?" Axel turned furious, as expected.
