Alice was taken to the Montago's mansion, along with her kids, Jackson and Emily. The mansion's opulent decor and sprawling gardens were a far cry from Alice's humble apartment. Diego ordered the maids to escort the kids to their room, which had been prepared especially for them since Diego had discovered he was their father.
As the kids left, Diego grasped Alice's hand forcefully, leading her to the garden for a private conversation. The garden's serene atmosphere was a stark contrast to the tension between them. When they reached a secluded spot, Alice jerked her hand free from his grip.
"What is your problem, huh? What do you want from us? Let my kids and me leave!" Alice demanded, her eyes blazing with anger. Her voice echoed through the garden, causing a few birds to take flight.
Diego smirked, his eyes glinting with amusement. "It's fine if you leave, but my kids will stay with me. I'm their father, and you can't just snatch that away from them... and me." He crossed his arms over his chest, his expression confident.
Alice's face twisted with rage. "You don't deserve them, you proud, arrogant brute! You were never there when they needed their father. They were bullied at school for not having a father, called a bastard for not having a father by their side." Her voice cracked with emotion, and tears welled up in her eyes.
Diego's expression faltered, and he felt a pang of pain. He had never considered the struggles his children might have faced without him. For a moment, he looked taken aback, but his confident demeanor soon returned.
"Now they need me, and you can't stop it," Diego declared, his voice firm. "So, Alice Smith, I'll advise you not to push your luck on this custody issue, because you won't win. When there's money, the world obeys. So, fuck off, bitch, if you want to leave, then leave." His words were laced with venom, and Alice felt a stinging sensation from his insults.
Alice was left speechless, her shoulders slumping in defeat. She turned and walked away, leaving Diego standing alone in the garden. The sound of her heels clicking on the pavement echoed through the garden, a stark contrast to the serene atmosphere.
When Alice arrived home, Brenda was waiting for her, concern etched on her face. "Oh, poor thing, what happened? Where are the kids?" Brenda asked, rushing to Alice's side.
Alice broke down, telling Brenda everything that had transpired with Diego. Brenda listened attentively, offering words of comfort and support. As Alice spoke, tears streamed down her face, and her body shook with sobs.
After the emotional talk, Brenda advised Alice to let the kids get to know their father. "You can't deprive them of the right to know him, even if Diego doesn't deserve it. They need to know their father, and he needs to know them."
Alice nodded, finally accepting the situation. "You're right, Brenda. I'll let them get to know him."
The following morning, at the Montago's mansion, Diego was informed that someone wanted to see him. He made his way to the living room, where he found Alice sitting on the sofa, looking around the mansion with a mixture of awe and disdain.
As Diego entered, Alice composed herself, standing up to face him. Though she had accepted the situation, she hadn't forgotten their first encounter at the restaurant.
"I've thought it over," Alice said, her voice firm. "You can be with the kids, but every weekend, Saturdays and Sundays, I must be with them." She handed Diego a sheet of paper with the kids' schedule and dietary needs.
Diego nodded, a hint of a smile on his lips. "I agree to your terms."
Alice continued, "I've made a list of the foods they like, the ones they're allergic to, and the healthy snacks they eat. I expect you to follow this schedule and provide for their needs."
As Alice finished speaking, she drew a conclusion. "I don't want to push the custody issue anymore. I'll let you be with the kids, but don't think this means I'll forget how you treated me." Her eyes flashed with anger, and her voice was laced with venom.
With that, Alice turned and left, leaving Diego smiling and smirking to himself. "You finally came to your senses," he said, his voice dripping with condescension.
After Alice's departure, the children, Jackson and Emily, ran to the dining table, their eyes shining with excitement. Diego followed them, a calm smile on his face.
"Okay, kids, let's be careful and not get injured, okay?" Diego said, his voice gentle.
The kids nodded obediently, their faces serious. The maids served them breakfast, complete with their favorite foods and drinks. The kids dug in, their eyes lighting up with joy.
Diego watched them, feeling a sense of happiness wash over him. He had never felt this way before, and it was a strange but pleasant sensation.
As they finished breakfast, Diego announced, "Today, we're going to enroll you in the best school in America - the prestigious Langley School."
The kids looked at each other, their eyes wide with excitement. Langley School was famous for its high standards and elite student body, which included the children of politicians and celebrities.
Diego took the kids to the school at noon, where they were greeted by the principal and teachers, all of whom were on their best behavior. Diego's reputation as the biggest sponsor of the school, as well as his feared reputation as the mafia king, ensured that they treated him with the utmost respect.
As they collected the kids' uniforms and school supplies, Diego couldn't help but notice the teachers' and principal's obsequious behavior. He was used to it, but it still amused him.
After completing the school formalities, Diego took the kids shopping. They visited several high-end stores, buying clothes from exclusive brands like Gucci, Chanel, and Dolce & Gabbana. The kids' eyes widened as they picked out designer outfits, shoes, and accessories.
Next, they headed to a trendy toy store, where they selected toys from luxury brands like Loro Piana, Fendi, and Hermès. The kids squealed with delight as they chose from a range of exclusive toys, including handmade dolls, wooden puzzles, and artisanal building blocks.
Finally, Diego surprised the kids with the latest iPad model, complete with cutting-edge features and a sleek design. The kids' faces lit up as they explored the device, playing with the latest educational apps and games.
As the day drew to a close, Diego took the kids for snacking at a nearby café. They sat down at a table, surrounded by the hustle and bustle of the café.
As they sipped their drinks and munched on snacks, Diego couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and happiness. He had never felt this way before, and it was all thanks to his kids.
Finally, after a fun-filled day, Diego took the kids back home. As they walked through the front door, the kids looked up at Diego with tired but happy eyes.
"Thank you, Daddy," they said in unison, their voices filled with gratitude.
Diego smiled, feeling his heart swell with love for his kids. "Anytime, kids. Now, let's get some rest. We've got a big day tomorrow."