After being reborn, I make up my mind to stop chasing after my husband and daughter

Chapter 26

Nathan’s insight surprised me. He seemed to know me better than I’d realized.

“Have you been checking up on me?” My smile faded. The collapse of my marriage was painful enough without strangers poking through the remains.

“Sorry, I overstepped,” Nathan blurted out, uncharacteristically flustered. “Just heard some things in passing. No background checks, I promise.”

“Lovely meeting you.” I gave him my best polite dismissal and walked away.

Nathan stayed frozen where he stood.

Back at our table, Melissa was still nervously eyeing the handsome stranger at the other table, clearly working up the courage to talk to him.

“Melissa, ready to go?” I asked, already gathering my things. Nathan’s lingering gaze and that unsettling confession had me suddenly desperate for an exit.

She rose with obvious reluctance, just as Nathan came back inside.

I pulled Melissa forward. “Mr. Hallman, meet Melissa–legal genius and my best friend. Keep her number handy for when you inevitably need a lawyer.”

“Victoria…” Melissa hadn’t expected me to be so forward. She turned bright red, wishing she could vanish on the spot.

I shot her a reassuring look. “Don’t worry. Mr. Hallman and I know each other.”

Nathan handed Melissa a business card. “Ms. Jenkins, my company could use legal counsel. If you’re interested, reach out to my assistant, Zachary Chandler.”

“Hello,” said Zachary, the handsome guy across the table, raising his hand. He slid his card toward her. “Just give me a call.”

Melissa took both cards, her face burning. “Nice to meet you,” she murmured, and then yanked me out of the restaurant at lightning speed.

one look at her tomato–red cheeks and burst out

“How could you just ask for their contacts like that? Now I can never show my face around

her. “You’ve got their cards now. It’d be a waste not to use

picked up on something strange and grabbed my

you two meet?”

off guard

even try denying it. I can see it in his eyes–the way he looks at

want to hide things from her. So I told her everything–about

donation of yours created a tech mogul?” She’d seen his business card–the same guy

star who was

who he was. Back then, people talked about

the time. When I heard his story, I donated

a real gift for investments. Your instincts are spot–on,” Melissa

a wry smile. “It was Jared’s money,

perfect. Jared financed his own romantic competitor.

voice down. If anyone hears you, we’re

whisper. “So… you’re really divorcing Jared? Need me to handle the paperwork? It’s what I do

made me laugh. “Alright,

half?” Melissa

half. Even ten percent

whatever you needed without you asking.” Melissa studied me, her usual teasing

Victoria… when you walked down that aisle, did you ever think it would end in divorce?” For all her blunt humor, she asked with genuine

said bitterly. “We were all in, picturing silver anniversaries, matching rocking chairs,

interrupted. “Truth is, it’s just a partnership. Pick right,

losses early,”