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.

took one look at her tomato–red cheeks and

could you just ask for their contacts like that? Now I can

their cards now. It’d be a waste

up on something strange and grabbed my arm. “You

you two meet?”

froze, caught off guard by

Hallman like you?” Melissa squinted. “Don’t even try denying it. I can

and I didn’t want to hide things from her. So I told her everything–about

yours created a tech mogul?” She’d seen his business card–the same guy I’d helped was now Nathan

27–year–old rising star who was killing it in the tech

“I’d never actually met him, and I didn’t even know who he was. Back then, people talked about this genius kid- how his family went bankrupt and how his dad died following

out with the Holcombs‘ charity work at the time. When I heard

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

“It was Jared’s money, not mine. If anyone deserves credit, it’s

her knee. “This is perfect. Jared financed his own romantic competitor. Imagine

voice down. If anyone hears you, we’re through

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

serious expression made me laugh. “Alright, draft something up

think Jared will give you half?” Melissa asked, her eyes alight

not. I don’t expect half. Even ten percent of his fortune would last me

you needed without

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

marriage thinking about divorce?” I said bitterly. “We were all in, picturing silver anniversaries, matching rocking chairs, a house

marriage too much,” Melissa interrupted. “Truth is, it’s just a partnership. Pick right, you’re golden.

losses