Dear Ex-wife Marry Me by Twin Bridge

Zoey longed for sleep, but the rumble of a car engine outside jerked her awake.

Rising to part the curtains, she noticed a flurry of activity at the villa opposite hers, with people moving things in and out as if they were uprooting their lives in the dead of night.

She furrowed her brow. Were the neighbors moving out? But she hadn't heard a peep about their house being on the market.

And then she spotted the crew of workers sanitizing and arranging the place, carting in swanky furniture pieces.

Zoey lingered on the balcony for a moment, curious about who would soon call that place home.

She returned to bed, succumbing to sleep.

The next morning, while munching on breakfast downstairs, she overheard Miranda: "New folks moved in across the way. I did some snooping-turns out that place never even went up for sale. Some loaded buyer swooped in, dropped a cool four million, a hefty markup, and the sellers were over the moon. Sold it that very night, moved out before dawn. No idea who the newbies are."

Four million?

Who would cough up that kind of cash?

No wonder the sellers left in a jiffy-it was like winning the lottery.

Miranda sounded envious. "If only they'd bought our place. Ah, some folks have all the luck."

Zoey passed her some vegetables. "Mom, eat."

Miranda's heart softened a bit. "Zoey, your dad and I are ready. The bank wants us to head out tonight.”

"That soon?"

"Yeah, the hotel needs us to confirm our booking pronto, or it's a thousand bucks down the drain." Zoey felt a pang of sadness. "Okay, I'll help you pack after work."

"No need, honey. You've got your job. Don't be late."

As Zoey arrived at the kindergarten, she spotted Henry waiting outside the gate.

He didn't venture in.

She parked swiftly. "Henry?"

"Zoey."

he hadn't slept

sensible-keen not

pragmatic. She wouldn't let romance

her

Europe; they jet off tonight. How about we have both our families meet over lunch, sort

scooping her into

goodness you didn't say

cupped her face, leaning in for a

blaring horn

beep beep!

a clear sign of

the sound, his joy fading as he saw the

Zoey's

"See you at noon."

Blushing, Zoey nodded.

Henry drove off quickly.

other car, Fitch gripped the steering

he watched "ghtheft as

retreating figure.

belongs to

Nolan, oblivious to the scene outside, but acutely aware of

Nolan called out.

immediately as he stepped out to lift

"Daddy's heart hurts."

wrapped his arms around his

bounced him gently.

down. But tonight,