nths p

ob at a small architectural firm, a career I had put on hold for nine years to suppo

er, did not

o my office. I blocked his number. I re

cuss the divorce settlement and custody arrangements. My lawyer, a sh

taurant his lawyer had booked, and it was

with his mother, his

Ch

eart ached just looking at her. She saw me and her face lit up for a second,

ther side, acted as if she

with artificial sweetness. She reached over and adjusted Li

at Chloe. "You're so good with her, Chloe. It's wonderful to

, so blatant, it left me

mall, gift-wrapped box from her purse. "I got you som

monitor. "To help you keep track," she said, ca

s weren't on Chloe. They were on me. He looked lost, confused, as

when I

st so tightly that her knuckles were white. With her right hand, she was methodically, almo

ld dread was

I said, my voice cutting throug

m fell

o right! After abandoning your family, you want to

n said, his voice pleading.

his. "Are you so blind that you can't see ho

t the floor. "This meeting is over.

Ethan hissed, his face fl

was pregnant with your child. You let me go through a miscarriage alone because your girlfriend had

around the blood pressure monitor Chloe had given him. He squeeze

hed the pla

oked up at me, his eyes wide with a dawning horror. It w

s far, fa