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,

you just ask for their contacts like that?

their cards now. It’d be a waste not to use

something strange and grabbed my arm. “You know Mr. Hallman?

you two meet?”

off guard by her

Hallman like you?” Melissa squinted. “Don’t even try denying it. I can see it in his eyes–the way

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

donation of yours created a tech mogul?” She’d seen his business card–the same guy

star who was killing

even know who he was. Back then, people talked about this genius kid- how his family went bankrupt and how his dad

the Holcombs‘ charity work at the time. When I heard his story, I donated 250 grand

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

Jared’s money, not mine.

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

down. If

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

made me laugh. “Alright, draft something

will give you half?” Melissa

half. Even ten percent of his fortune

never been stingy with you. Honestly, he’d probably hand over whatever you needed without you

Victoria… when you walked down that aisle, did you ever think it would end in divorce?” For all her blunt humor, she asked

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

interrupted. “Truth is, it’s just a partnership. Pick right,

your losses early,” I