Chapter 3
The next morning, I went back to the office to hand over my work.
Nate came up to me, holding a neatly wrapped gift box.
“This is for Leo’s birthday.”
“I forgot to give it to him yesterday.”
I paused, then took it and opened the lid.
It was a toy puppy.
The one thing Leo’s absolutely terrified of.
When he was five, Nate took him to an amusement park.
Halfway through, Nate ran into a friend and let go of Leo’s hand.
Leo got lost in the crowd.
By the time we found him, he was crouched on the sidewalk, shaking in fear after a stray dog barked at him.
Ever since, dogs have been his biggest fear.
And now the man who caused that trauma thought it made a good birthday present.
I couldn’t tell if I was angrier or more disappointed.
I set the box aside without much thought.
My voice stayed calm.
“Thanks.”
Nate gave me a strange look, then added,
“Zoe’s power went out last night.”
“I’m thinking of letting her stay at the house.”
“You should take the day off.”
“Pack a few things and take Leo somewhere else for a couple days.”
14:00
Screw You. Ex! My New Lifes Hotter Than Your Money!
Chapter 3
He said it so casually, like it was no big deal.
But it hit me like a brick to the chest.
I stared at him, stunned.
“You’re seriously kicking me and our son out… for Zoe?”
Nate frowned.
“Don’t make it sound so dramatic.”
“It’s just temporary.”
“We agreed to keep our marriage quiet, remember?”
“Gotta avoid awkwardness at work.”
I laughed, bitter and tired.
Just coworkers, huh?
Just keeping things professional?
Or was he just ashamed of us–afraid we’d ruin his picture–perfect romance?
I turned back to my desk and kept working.
“Got it.”
“I’ll get our stuff together and we’ll be out of your way.”
It didn’t matter if we left today or next week–we were leaving either way.
Nate seemed caught off guard by how quickly I agreed.
He opened his mouth, his tone a little softer this time.
“I’ll make it up to you two.”
I didn’t look up.
Some things can’t be fixed with compensation.
The damage was already done.
That evening, I packed our bags and got ready to leave with Leo.
14:00
Screw You, Ex! My New Life’s Hotter Than Your Money!
41.99
Just as I opened the front door, Nate walked in–with someone behind him.
He was wheeling in Zoe’s suitcase, playing the perfect gentleman.
The second our eyes met, I saw it–guilt, flickering in his expression.
Zoe blinked, surprised.
“Sophia? What are you doing at Nate’s place?”
I instinctively pulled Leo behind me, blocking her view.
“–”
“They’re family. Just crashing here for a bit,” Nate cut in before I could finish.
His hand tightened around the suitcase handle.
It wasn’t the first time he’d done this.
But every time he said it, it still cut deep.
I opened my mouth, ready to say something, but Leo beat me to it.
“Hi, sir.”
1 turned to him, stunned.
His eyes were red.
“Mom, let’s go.”
Every word I wanted to say got stuck in my throat.
I forced a small smile and whispered,
“Okay.”
As we brushed past them, Nate reached out and grabbed my arm.
14:00
