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.

tomato–red cheeks and burst out

Melissa hissed, stomping her foot. “How could you just ask for their contacts like that? Now I can

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

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

you two meet?”

off guard by

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

to hide things from her. So I told

mogul?” She’d seen his business card–the same

rising star who was killing it in

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

helping out with the Holcombs‘ charity work at the time.

for investments. Your instincts

smile. “It was Jared’s money, not mine. If anyone

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

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

dropping to a whisper. “So… you’re really divorcing Jared? Need me to

me laugh. “Alright,

half?” Melissa asked,

“Probably not. I don’t expect half. Even ten percent of

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

did you ever think it would end in

were all in, picturing silver anniversaries, matching rocking chairs,

is, it’s just a partnership. Pick right, you’re golden. Pick

your losses early,”