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Chapter 8
I never expected Lucas to actually start chasing after me.[]
This was the kind of thoughtfulness and romance I never got when we were together.]
That’s when I realized – there’s no such thing as guys who “just don’t get it.” They either care enough to fry, or they don’t
He started showing up everywhere in my life.[]
Sending me flowers, buying me gifts.]
This guy who never remembered anyone’s birthday suddenly remembered mine.[]
“Maya, I want to be there for every birthday you have from now on.”
He gave me this necklace.
It had been sitting in my online shopping cart forever.
But it was too expensive, so I never bought it for myself.]]
Lucas had always known about it – he just couldn’t be bothered to make my wishes come true back then.]]
Probably didn’t think I was worth it.
But now that we were divorced? Suddenly I was worth it.]
Because I wasn’t his anymore.[]
Now I was something precious.[]
“I made reservations at that fancy restaurant you always wanted to try. Let’s go after work.“[]
“I don’t want to.“]
“Why not?“]
“Because I already have plans.“[]
I wasn’t lying.
I really did have plans.[]
Quinn had asked me out like two weeks ago.]
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We’d been working together every day, and I could tell he had feelings for me.[]
I’d made up my mind to move on from all that toxic shit, so I wasn’t gonna push away someone who actually wanted to get close to me.[]
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Chapter
..What?”
Lucas looked like he’d been slapped.]
“We’ve only been divorced two months and you already found someone else?“[]
I didn’t feel like explaining. Couldn’t be bothered.[]
“Maya! How can you do this to me?“]
“We’re divorced. Whatever I do is my business.“[]
Lucas’s eyes went bloodshot, like he was about to lose it. Acting all heartbroken.[]
“Last month, Sarah confessed to me. But I turned her down. I told her there’s only one person in my heart – you.“]
“Actually, from our very first blind date, I had feelings for you. I just didn’t realize it.“]
“When your dad got into trouble, my parents pushed me to divorce you. I knew that was the smart thing to do.“]]
“But when your mom came begging me, when I saw those eyes that looked just like yours… I couldn’t do it. And honestly? Even if she hadn’t asked, I wouldn’t have left you.“[]
“Because I was already falling for you.“]
“All these years, I screwed up so many times. Made you lose hope in me.“[]
“But my feelings never changed. Not once.“]
His voice went all raspy, eyes downcast.[]
N
For a second, the man in front of me looked just like that golden boy from college I used to worship.]
I pressed my hand to my chest, but my heart wasn’t racing at all.]
I knew it was really over.[]
This confession was everything I’d dreamed of hearing.
And now he was laying it all out for me.[]
But I felt… nothing.]
That’s when my phone rang.]
I picked up. It was Tommy.[]
“Mommy…“]
The kid’s voice was shaky. He’d been crying.[]
“What’s wrong?”
“Mommy, can you come home? Tommy misses you so much.“[]
For a second. I thought I was hearing things.
My sweet boy had never once said he missed me in seven whole years.[]
When he looked at me, all I ever saw was disgust and hate.]
Like he wanted me to disappear.]
“Mommy. Tommy has a fever. Aunt Sarah called me a burden and wouldn’t give me medicine. She even spanked me… Last year when Tommy was sick, Mommy carried me to the hospital in the rain and stayed with me forever… Mommy never said mean things about Tommy…“[]
“Aunt Sarah said if it wasn’t for Daddy, she wouldn’t be nice to me at all. She said when she marries Daddy, they’ll have their own kids, and then they’ll send Tommy to an orphanage…“]
Tommy was crying harder now.[]
“Since you left, no one makes Tommy’s favorite ribs anymore. No one helps with homework…“]
“Mommy loves Tommy the most.“]]
“Mommy, please come back!“]]
I stayed calm through his whole breakdown.[]
My mind kept flashing back to all our moments together.[]
When he was sick in the hospital, I stayed up all night watching him. But the second he woke up and saw me, he’d get annoyed and tell me to leave.]]
I’d make him these amazing meals, but he refused to eat at the same table as me.[]
Even though he knew his grandparents hated me, he’d still badmouth me every time he went to their house…]
All those things were in the past, but they stuck in my heart like thorns.[]
I’d never forget. And I didn’t want to forgive.]
“Mommy… can you forgive Tommy?“[]
“No. The moment I walked out that door, I stopped being your mother. Don’t call me anymore. I don’t like listening to kids cry.“[]
“Go find your Aunt Sarah.”
My hands were shaking as I hung up.
I felt this bitter ache in my chest, but I knew I’d made the right choice.[]
Lucas stared at me with red–rimmed eyes as I ended Tommy’s call.[]
Chapte
In that moment, I saw pure despair in his face.
A tear rolled down his cheek.
He knew I was never coming back.[]
I used to always say Tommy was my whole world.[]
Now I was throwing away my whole world.[]
How could I ever go back to being his meek little wife?[]
Tears filled his eyes, flowing faster and faster.[]
Finally he had to take off his glasses to wipe them away.
“Maya, is it really over?“]
His voice cracked, full of desperation.]
I nodded quietly.
“No one waits around forever. When it’s done, it’s done.“]
After what felt like forever, he finally stopped trying.[]
He turned and walked away.[]
Watching him stumble off into the distance, I let out a long
My phone buzzed.]
It was a text from Quinn.[]
“Still on for dinner tonight?“]
Leath
He sounded so careful, like he was scared I’d bail on him.[]
I tapped the screen and typed back:
“Wouldn’t miss it.“[]
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