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

ask for their contacts like that? Now I can never show my face around them

cards now. It’d be a

and grabbed my

you two meet?”

off guard

I can see it in his

want to hide things from her. So I

tech mogul?” She’d seen his

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

people talked about this

time. When I heard

instincts

a wry smile. “It was Jared’s money, not mine. If anyone deserves credit,

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

“Keep your voice down. If

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

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

give you half?” Melissa

half. Even ten percent of his

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

down that aisle, did you ever think it would end

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

is, it’s

your losses early,” I