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.

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

was mortifying,” Melissa hissed, stomping her foot. “How could you just ask for their contacts like that? Now I can never show my

nudged her. “You’ve got their cards now. It’d

second…” Melissa picked up on something strange and grabbed my arm.

you two meet?”

guard by

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

her. So I told her everything–about volunteering at

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

rising star who was killing it

he was. Back then, people talked about this genius kid-

at the time. When

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

Jared’s money, not mine. If anyone deserves credit,

financed his own romantic competitor. Imagine how pissed he’ll be when he finds

“Keep your voice down. If anyone

really divorcing Jared? Need me to handle

me laugh. “Alright, draft something up for me

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

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

never been stingy with you. Honestly, he’d probably hand over whatever you needed without you asking.” Melissa studied me, her

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

said 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. Pick right, you’re

losses early,”