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.

at her tomato–red cheeks and burst out laughing, nearly

was mortifying,” Melissa hissed, stomping her foot. “How could you just ask for their contacts

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

picked up on something strange and grabbed my arm. “You know

you two meet?”

froze, caught off guard

“Don’t even try denying it. I can see it in his eyes–the way he looks at you isn’t

from her. So I

that donation of yours created a tech mogul?” She’d seen his

rising star who was killing

who he was. Back then, people talked about this genius

with the Holcombs‘ charity work at the time.

gift for investments. Your instincts are spot–on,” Melissa said, giving me

was Jared’s money, not mine. If anyone

knee. “This is perfect. Jared financed his own romantic competitor. Imagine how pissed he’ll

her mouth. “Keep your voice down.

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

laugh. “Alright, draft something up for me

will give you half?” Melissa

expect half. Even ten percent of his

he’d probably hand over whatever you needed without you asking.” Melissa studied me, her usual teasing tone

did you ever think it would end in divorce?” For all her blunt humor,

bitterly. “We were all in, picturing silver anniversaries, matching rocking chairs, a house full of

much,” Melissa interrupted. “Truth is, it’s just a partnership.

your losses early,”